redsunset Posted November 7, 2014 Author Share Posted November 7, 2014 Orpingtons are lovely but not buying and more big fluffy butts until I get a nice big shed so maybe in the future???........so many breeds yet to investigate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 I have a plastic shed which I am using as a hen house. it is working well for me. the girls like it. if you have so many hens you should sell eggs or birds or both, at least it pays for the food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Most of us don't have chickens that lay eggs, just lots of chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 My hens are young. from 10 laying hens I am getting 5 eggs. I have 5 white leghorn pullets should start laying in 3 or 4 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 Getting 3 Hyline brown chooks later when they come up off the ferry. The ones I wanted (speckled Sussex) were going at crazy prices so....she didn't bid. They had every kind of breed but the fancy ones go for crazy money up this end as not so plentiful as down south re breeders. Will love the little brown chooks just the same. Was just hosing down my driveway when I saw a little girl and her gran from down the road at my gates, the wee girl insists on popping up the rd to see the chickens so tonight I happened to be out and took them in to see the houses and she watched them go to bed and saw the doodles hopping up the branches of the Ash tree! Bless her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 (edited) Brown Hybrids are egg laying machines, but I heard after 2 years they stop laying and you are stuck with them. Edited November 8, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 My chooks are my pets, and if they stop laying after two yrs they will be allowed to enjoy their retirement in peace until they die. My oldest two hybrids, a bluebelle and a Sussex are three years old now and no idea if they lay or not but they are happy and healthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 I agree red sunset. I'm going to get 2 ducks when I've got room. They live for a long time, but I just love them. I can't wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 I understand but if you keep pure breeds they lay less for longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Talking about light sussex hybrids. I have two of them the breeder said they are hybrids. what breed is the "mother and father". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 I understand re the pure breeds as I have a mix of hybrid and pure breeds and had equal losses in both in my first two years of chicken keeping. Sorry I have no idea re the parentage of the light sussex hybrids but most stem I think from the Rhode Island Red or white? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 I've just read that they include some kind of silver line hen and a Rhode Island Red cockerel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Have they arrived redsunset? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Brown Hybrids are egg laying machines, but I heard after 2 years they stop laying and you are stuck with them. My girls laid consistently for a year after I got them but rarely get an egg now, my new girls lay every few day,all are hybreds but I'm happy to be 'stuck' with them, they are lovely girls and deserve a happy retirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 My sentiments as well gavclojak. Love my hybrids. And no they haven't arrived yet, ferry due in around 9pm, so when I get a txt will drive down to the end of my road for the exchange. Would have loved to have been at that auction today looking at all the different chooks but in hindsight maybe best I wasn't.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 not buying and more big fluffy butts until I get a nice big shed so maybe in the future???........so many breeds yet to investigate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Wow redsunset I knew you would get some, does that make 45? That's a crazy number isn't it what lucky girls.....if only they knew:))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Brown Hybrids are egg laying machines, but I heard after 2 years they stop laying and you are stuck with them. My ex batt Agnes who is one of the egg laying machines is still laying regularly and she has been with us enjoying her new life for over 3 and 1/2 years. In fact she is one of my most reliable layers. She is lovely sadly her two friends did not have so much time being free. Redsunset enjoy your new girls, happy chicken watching. The eggs are just a lovely tasty bonus in my view Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Totally agree Chrissie. I love it when my girls lay me an egg, but I wouldn't enjoy having them any the less if they never laid again, and I can't imagine ever feeling 'stuck with them'. I understand that some people do have chickens to produce eggs, but I think for most people on here they're pets first and foremost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 Got my new girls and after a quick inspection, they look very healthy and are already in lay so not POL, but just started this year. I know most people segregate to start but I popped them into the big head boys house and closed the pop hole which means no long lie tomorrow incase of ructions! A few crates in the back of the wagon tonight, could make out some ducks, and some bantams but the girls were in a hurry to get home and unload their own birds plus mountain of shopping so will hear soon what they all bought. Tomorrow promises to be a nice dry day so will see how the newbies enjoy the new gaff!.........to be continued Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Ooo very exciting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 I don't keep hens for eggs, the main reason I keep them is they save me 500 Euro a year on grass cutting "net save after deducting the cost of feed". I don't have time to cut the grass. My hens are FR 24/7. actually themselves they made the door unclosable by dustbathing and scratching around it. I have fenced big garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Got my new girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Oooooh, more new girls. I bet you are really excited about seeing them in the daylight tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
