Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[auntielizzie]

Well, I have collected my lovely red eglu and run and it's all ready for some new girls (or should I say, two new girls - I must be strong ).

 

I am looking for a couple of good laying hybrids to go with my Columbian Blacktail (excellent layer) and Rhode Sussex (intermittent layer). I'm so excited and I can't quite believe that I didn't rush off to the nearest chicken seller as soon as I'd unpacked and installed the egul in the garden

 

I quite fancy a black rock as one of them, but I'm not sure what other one to get. I would be grateful for your recommendations. As I say, I am looking for reliable layers (so I can fulfil my dream of selling my eggs at my door ).

[zakjon-98]

Black rocks are nice they often live and lay longer than warren/gingernut type hybrids. White stars are also nice and are great layers of large white eggs although aren't often as friendly. Many people say they have good personalities though. Good luck with whatever you choose

[HennyPenny59]

I live near Welwyn Garden City ... Wonder if you are getting your girls from the same place as me .. If not, I can certainly recommend them.

[auntielizzie]

Hi Henny Penny - whereabouts do you live? I'm desperate to meet some more "chicken people"

 

I got my two original girls from Van Hage Garden Centre in Ware. They were a bit pricey, but I have been very pleased with them both; very healthy and easy to look after and I would certainly go back there. However, I recently went to the Barns Poultry Centre at Moggerhanger, and they were very helpful and knowledgeable and had a lovely range of hybrids as well as pure breeds. I have been to Thorne's a couple of times, but I didn't really like their set up - it seemed a bit unclean to me.

 

Is there anywhere else locally you would recommend?

[HennyPenny59]

Hi Aunt Lizzie

 

Im in St Albans, not a million miles away

 

I purchased my girls from Stagenhoe Chickens in Whitwell, very near the Watercress Farm .. Do you know it? If you do a Google search for "Stagenhoe Chickens" you will find it at the top of the page. Their Hybrids are £15 each ... I don't know how that compares to what you paid, but from what ive heard, it could be a touch on the expensive side??

 

I liked it there as it was very clean, and all the chickens looked very happy and healthy and were kept together in a large outbuilding, so they all knew eachother. Because of that, I had no problems with introductions which ive heard can be quite difficult.

 

Im definitely going to visit Barns Poultry in Moggerhanger, as next spring I would like to purchase a couple of purebreeds, I especially like the bantam Cochins and Sablepoots ... Stagenhoe Chickens only sell Hybrids.

[dance in the dark]

I have had speckledy, bluebell and white star hybrids. The Bluebells are pretty but not brilliant layers compared to the other hybrids, but are still pretty decent. The speckledys are very good layers, and they lay lovely dark brown, speckled eggs.

 

The White stars lay pure white eggs, which are wonderful, and if you got a black rock, a white star would contrast nicely with their eggs. My white stars are fantastic layers and they have the added benefit of being really very small (they are my smallest birds, even compared to the araucanas who aren't massive) Yet my white stars each regularly lay eggs that are about 63 and 70 grams. The one that lays the 70g eggs is really very small, and her eggs aren't even double yolkers. I have also never had a soft egg from my white stars ( but have all the others bar one speckledy) and they lay with minimum fuss. No wandering around screaming, no taking longer that 20 minutes in the nest box. I would highly recommend them, and since they are so small, you could get two with your black rock.....just saying.

 

 

N.B white stars are not unfriendly, and can be held, but they are a bit flighty certainly initially. Also, since they are small and light they can do some decent jumping, they can get over my 5ft fence, but it's nothing that a wing clipping and a dressing down in front of the other girls didn't solve.

 

Tim

[sim]

We've got one of Omlet's Miss Pepperpots, which I think is similar to a Black Rock. She's quieter with lovely soft clucks rather than the gobby beaking-off that the gingernuts do! She is affectionate and nosey, and not as much of a flappy-jumper. She used to chase off pigeons, but she's not so bothered now. I think I'd have more Black Rocks, they're sweet.

[shemybelle]

If you fancy a white hen that isn't as flighty as a White Star, I would recommend a Snowdrop (Rhode Island white hybrid). Mine is exactly as the previous poster has described her White Stars (great later with no fuss, etc). She's also extremely tame and has a great personality (curious, brave). I wish I had another Snowdrop in place of my Bluebell (soft egg layer, very skittish). My Rhode (black) Rock is an ok layer and a bit of a bully.

 

Lx

[duchess]

Hi there, I would go for black rocks. They are hardy, friendly and good layers.

[4Clucks-minusOne]

I would recommend Black Rock and Speckeldy Marran. My Bluebelle was also a good layer.

[good_egg]

I've never had, but saw a maran cuvée the other day and she was beautiful. Think v similar to black rock but colouring is more copper.

[craftyhunnypie]

Another big black rock fan here!!! I love them. Gingers are gorgeous & definitely the most friendly, but I have never had one live more than 18 months. My black rocks are some of my oldest chickens. I also like my magpie chicken - she is one of the friendliest birds we have.

White stars are flighty, but oh so comical. Plus their eggs are amazingly big & china white.

It's all up to you.

Good luck - can't wait to see what you get.

Emma.x

[HennyPenny59]

18 months for a Ginger I had better enjoy my Ruby while she is here then. She is definitely the most friendly girl I have, with Gretel, my Speckeldy coming a close second.