fantasticjudyann Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I have lost all my GNRs that I got with my Eglu two and a half years ago. Two got peritonitis and I read recently that GNRs are prone to this. I want to increase my flock in August and would like suggestions as to what I should get. I still have a Bluebelle , a White Star and a Speckled Star and they are all about nine months old. I would like a hen that lays a blue or green egg if possible. Should I get hybrids again or try pure breeds? Do pure breeds last longer than hybrids? It is upsetting to keep losing them . Does anybody have any ideas? Thanks Ps what is a bantam? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Hybrids are prone to a number of egg laying problems. Pure breed arent immune to them but as they dont lay as many eggs per year and take a break whilst moulting and over winter they dont suffer anywhere near as badly as their body isnt in constant laying mode Complimentary large fowl breeds to hybrids are the classic farm type chickens - Sussex, Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire Red are some Bantams are small chickens some of which have a larger counterpart and some which dont. they are typically 1/4 to 1/2 the size of a standard large fowl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I have a mixture of Hybrids and Pure Breeds for egg production and longevity. The three Hybrids are now 18 months old, and are a Miss Pepperpot, Gingernut and a Bluebell. In January I got two Purebreeds, a Lavendar Arucana, she lays a blueygreen egg and a Vorwerk, she lays a shiny cream egg. Next year I plan to add another couple of hybrids as the existing girls will be past their laying prime, the following year another couple of purebreeds, aiming for an average flock size of 6-8 birds at a time. Hybrids have a lower life expectancy at only 3-4 years, mainly due to the number of eggs they make as they will keep laying throughout the winter and are less prone to go broody. Purebreeds live around 7 years or so, but tend to go broody more often and dont lay in the winter. The hardest part of my plan is that I have to deal with intros every year, but providing you take them slow and have spare coop and run space they can be managed OK. A bantam is a mini chicken, many big breeds have minature versions, although I understand Pekins are the only true bantam with no big girl version. Despite my plan above, I have just got three Pekin chicks that are lovely, but will not be expected to integrate with the big girls until maybe next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Pekins are a 'true bantam' but not the only one - others include Dutch, Rosecombs, Serama and Belgians. These are all small though and apart from possibly Pekins wouldnt necessarily mix with hybrids If you want bantams I would look at the miniature versions of large fowl but ones on the heavy end of the scale as hybrids can be bullies Alternatively look at the light breed large fowl such as Cream Legbars, Araucanas, Welsummer, Leghorn all of which lay 'different' coloured eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I have cream legbars (china blue eggs) and araucanas (bluey green eggs) as part of my flock of hybrids and pure breeds and would recommend them both - the araucanas in particular are real characters - and they get on fine with the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 Is it OK then to mix pure breeds and hybrids? Any special treatment or problems I should be aware of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Mine mix fine now, Hybrids can be a little more aggressive towards newcomers, my Gingernut is, but my Pepperpot is very laid back. Patience I think is the key. I would suggest getting older POL, sort of 20-22 weeks, my Purebreeds were sold as POL but I think the Vorwerk was probably much younger and has taken 5/6 months to finally be accepted by the flock, the Lavendar Arucana came into lay earlier was was accepted much more quickly. Bantams will be harder to integrate, and may never integrate fully. Lots of people on here keep them all together successfully but you should be prepared to keep two separate flocks just in case. Next on my list is a Barneveld (sp) beautiful feathers and layers of Dark brown eggs. But no more until next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
