New hens not going into Eglu Go Up

[karencopas]

We are planning to buy our first ever chickens tomorrow we have an eglu go With a two metre run and a fair sized garden where we would love for them to free range once settled. We would really like friendly docile birds with lots of yummy eggs Our nearest supplier is a place called thornes in letchworth, they seem very helpful and knowledgable and have 10varieties of hybrid birds at the moment. I would really be grateful for all you comments help and advice

[shemybelle]

Hi

 

I'd had very limited chicken-keeping experience so I felt like a beginner when I got 3 new hens 3 weeks ago. We went for a Bluebell/Blue Ranger, a Rhode Rock and a Snowdrop. The Snowdrop is my favourite. She's friendly, curious and lays well. She doesn't mind being picked up and often tries to get in the house! The Rhode Rock will eat out of my hand and is laying well. She's not so keen on being handled. The Bluebell is my least favourite. She's very nervy, hates being approached and handled. She runs for her life when we go near her. She hasn't laid yet. I'm hoping she'll be less skittish once she starts.

 

Based on my limited experience, I would recommend 2 Snowdrops and a Rhode Rock for your set-up (but I would try to get an extra metre for the run). I've heard good things about bluebells, and maybe I've just had bad luck, but I wish I'd gone for a Speckledy instead (almost did). Speckledys lay brown eggs, which would be nice.

 

Lx

[Jenthelibrarian]

Hi

 

How exciting!

 

We have had our two hybrid girlies for a couple of months now. When I arrived at the supplier [Widget's Farm nr Reading] I asked for 'beginner's chickens, please!'

I'd be inclined to go for the friendly hens that rush to the gate when approached, not the ones that hold back or seem shy. If the farm allows approach with some treat to offer and go for the tamest most friendly birds that seem confident in the flock and pleased to see you and interact with you.

 

My Warren, Josie, was the first hen the farm guy grabbed to show us how to assess a good bird and of course after holding and stroking her how could I put her down! He then picked out a very pretty black star/miss pepperpot for my husband, so we could tell them apart and we both fell in love...

 

Josie laid an egg the day after she arrived with us, Tilly within the week, so they were obviously healthy and contented girls.

 

They have been loads of fun, are both real little personalities and the whole family is besotted - wishing you and your new friends every happiness together!

 

jen xx

 

Henpecked husband by jenthelibrarian, on Flickr

[mabelandflosmum]

My first hens were Gingernut Rangers/Warrens, they were perfect, friendly, inquisitive and would follow me everywhere! I still have one of them, she's 4 now!

I also now have a Light Sussex hybrid who is equally adorable and a Speckledy who doesn't like being picked up but is very friendly.

I briefly had a Bluebell who was very skittish and the least friendly.

They all lay eggs every day!

Good luck with your choices!

[williamspencer98]

Get silkies! I'm not actually joking, they're the best chickens in the world. Unfortunatley mines a bit poorly at the moment, so I haven't handled her recently, but there is no hesitation when I pick her up, she's just gorgeous!

 

Good luck, let us know what you get!

 

All the best

Will

[clucker1]

Gingernut/warren/isa brown hybrids....of all of our chickens these are by far the friendliest. They love being picked up, hand fed, "helping" you in the garden with weeding and gobbling the worms. Good luck with getting your chickens, it is soooooooo exciting, let us know what you get. Have fun.

[merlina]

agree that the gingernut/warren/brown hybrid is great for beginners.

 

They were recommended to me by the seller. They're friendly, seem quite hardy, lay loads of eggs and are brimming full of personality. They don't particularly like being picked up but will tolerate it - in fact they seem very tolerant of most things.

 

I also had a bluebell, she was always rather nervous and skittish and lacked the curiosity and 'fun' of the other two (and laid less eggs). She never liked to be touched or handled. Sadly she died (not sure of what) after a year

[Gloss-Hen]

Our first ever chickens were warrens. We brought 6, they where all so friendly and when you tried to pick them up there wings would go up in submission and there feet would do a little dance they are very good chickens to start with unfortunately 5 of ours are no longer with us but we have one called orange, don't know what we we're thinking

[karencopas]

Hi all, we're just home with our new additions and all very excited

Thank you very much for all your advice and good wishes I read it all made lists and felt quite prepared.

When we got there the man was very helpful and loved all his chickens my husband, youngest daughter and myself all chose one each. My daughters-blackberry crumble(crumble for short) is a maran cuvree my husband chose a goldline-ginger Rogers and I went for a speckledy which I think will be lady Penelope or penny for short it was very hard to choose and to be honest the first three we looked at we came home with!

If I knew how to put photos on I would as feel quite proud of my new girls

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Congratulations on your new girls, they sound lovely .

 

I use Flickr for putting photos on here. Photobucket is another one lots of people use.