jacquiefrost Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 So i have been to my local breeder and at the moment they have available - Speckled Sussex Rhode Island Reds Barnevelders Buff Orpingtons Goldlines I will be purchasing 3 and am swayed toward a goldline, a speckled sussex and a rhode island red. what do you think? what would you choose and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Rhode Island Red because they are good layers, friendly girls and not as easy to come by as one might think Buff Orpington because I love large chooks and these are super gentle cuddle bugs Barnvelder because they are good layers and have such stunning feathers but then, but then . . . I'd also love a Sepckled Sussex because they are so pretty, good layers and like the RIR not so common Can't you stretch to 4 Actually, I'd just turn up and take whoever took my fancy on the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 It is soooooo difficult to decide I think all the breeds you mention are lovely, so you can't go wrong with any of them. It's has to be a combination of practicalities and then whichever you like the look of on the day. I would love an Orpington, but as they grow into giants, they wouldn't really fit in an eglu! Then consider whether the amount of eggs is important, the colour of eggs etc. Some breeds are considered to be more friendly than others, but that often depends on the individual anyway. I was in two minds about getting a Legbar as they are often quite flighty and nervous - so pleased I did as she is the boldest, friendliest and most amusing of the three of them. More important than the breed is to get a good healthy looking hen and avoiding the ones that are being chased and picked on by the others. Then I usually just get whichever is amusing me the most at the time Whichever you choose, you will have forgotten about all the others once you get them home anyway. Have fun chicken shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacquiefrost Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 Can't you stretch to 4 I am so tempted to, but think my husband will blow a fuse He was hoping i'd would only be having two. I am hoping he will grow to love them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Sneek an extra one in, we were always only going for four, I put my name in the BHWT waiting list for four but when I collected them I said to the co-ordinater that I thought there was room for a little one in one of my cat baskets....so home came Betty boo, that made five and its a really nice manageable number.....your husband won't even notice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Speckled Sussex very pretty once mature took mine about 24 months to develop the full adult markings vey good natured a good layer and a fantastic broody after her first brood then I'd go for the RIR and the Barnevelder. RIR for eggs but that said there are some good looking strains out there, Barnevelders for looks I've got a Barnevelders grower about 16 weeks old and she's starting to look stunning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Can't you stretch to 4 I am so tempted to, but think my husband will blow a fuse He was hoping i'd would only be having two. I am hoping he will grow to love them I went with Hubby to a breeders to get some chicks and he said I could have 3. When we got there the breeder showed us all her chickens and then showed us the chicks. I chose my 3 chicks and whilst the breeder tried to catch them one little grey chick popped out that I hadn't spotted. She was sooooo sweet and I thought I bet I can't have 4, so I asked if I could and he said yes Well, I wasn't going to argue, and so 4 little chicks came home with me. I mean, what's one more chicken anyway ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Eggscellent news, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...