Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[chickenlicken85]

Can anyone recommend a breed of chicken to me?. I need one that is quite docile and calm and doesnt mind children, preferably easy to handle?.

 

Also which chickens lay the creamy green/blue eggs?.

 

Thanks

[good_egg]

Our Buff Sussex is like a giant ginger teddy! Connie, cream crested legbar, lays blue eggs so do aracuna and some hybrids (skyline etc) have a high probability.

[sjp]

I've got a speckled Sussex (pure breed) that's calm and docile. warrens (red hybrid) are also supposed to be the same

as for blue or green eggs then Cream legbars are the ones you want but they can be a bit skittish but they can be really tame and friendly if you get them young and put the time in

[chickenlicken85]

Thanks for the advice I went to visit a farmer friend today and she said she advised me to get warrens? Can anyone tell me more?

[merlina]

warrens (aka ginger ranger and a whole variety of other names) are the hens most commonly used in commercial egg production.

So they're bred to lay lots of eggs and be trouble free.

 

My first hens were warrens and having had a number of breeds since, would say that i agree with your friend - warrens are a great beginners' hen.

They are generally friendly. reasonably hardy, and full of character.

They don't have so many of the 'foibles' of other breeds such as going broody, being highly strung, making loads of noise etc etc

Of course all hens are individuals, and I'm sure someone here has had a warren with all the above 'issues' and more!

[Sandychick]

Warrens are a good choice, but if you are looking for a bit of variety, Amber Stars are just as friendly and calm as Warrens. I've always found Bluebelles very placid too. Most blue / green egg layers can be more difficult to tame, tricky to catch and good at escaping over high fences!

 

Maybe go and have a look at a few different breeds first? Chicken 'window shopping' is a nice day out!

[chickenlicken85]

Thanks for the replies thanks for mentioning the amber stars they look and sound like they will be great think ill get 2 amber stars and 2 warrens x

[Purplemaniacs]

I have an Amber Star type hybrid and she is lovely also very long lived she is over 5 and a 1/2 now, a very good age for a hybrid and she is still laying. Henny Penny who was an omlet Gingernut was my other really friendly hen, she sadly only lived a relatively short time but in that time taught me a lot about chicken keeping

 

The white hybrids, names vary but they lay lovely big white eggs but my two are not very friendly, quite little birds considering they regularly lay 70g + eggs.

 

Enjoy your chicken shopping, different coloured eggs are lovely and they help you to know who has laid

 

Chrissie

[Chortle Chook]

I've always heard bluebells (also called blue Marrans, I think) are lovely - big cuddle bugs and I secretly covet one (though OH would never allow it ). I think Mariglods (no, not the gloves) are also gentle.

[sparkysmum]

Of all our hens our faverolle is the friendliest. they are also quite long lived. our fav is over 4yrs old. still laying and incredibly healthy