Tom1994 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Hi all, I've been wanting some chickens for my back garden for a while now, i have decided to puchase Eglu Go as my garden isnt huge and is mostly stones and concrete. (however i have large borderes of bark/mud where they could possibly scrach) I would have attached some pictures but im useless with computers! I am undecided on a breed as i am looking for a friendly bird who will enjoy being handled/stroked and likes human company but at the same time be able to produce eggs. I have had a look at Silkies (they look awesome) however i am under the impression they stop laying in summer or lay very little eggs. Any comments or advice on placement in my garden or the breeds will be greatly appreciated! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I think the warren (aka gingernut and various other names) is possibly the best bird for beginners. They are the birds used commercially for egg production - so are generally hardy and excellent egg producers. Generally, they have fabulous, cheeky, friendly personalities and are happy to to be handled - as long as you get them used to that early on. They're readily available and not expensive. They will usually lay through the winter, certainly in their first year or two. The downside is that they don't, possibly because they're worn out from all those eggs, live as long as purebred birds. Silkies are, IMHO, much more 'high maintenance', not least because they tend to go broody when there a 'y' in the day They certainly won't lay as many eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 We bought POLs in June and then added 3 exbats 3 weeks ago - we would go ex-bats all the way from now on xx Good Luck - chucks are the best and these Forums are fab for help and advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I so agree with Merlina. I have 2 Isa Warren/Brown chickens which I got in June 2010. They have been great layers and only now they have got to an age were we get about 3 eggs a week from Layla and I think Lola has given up altogether. I also have a large fowl Silkie who although looking lovely has even less brain power than the other two and seems to lay a few eggs and then gets broody for weeks, which involves a lot of faff getting her off the nest box etc. It also was very hard to get the different breeds to accept one another and for a while I had to have separate accommodation (I did have 2 Silkies at one point). Good luck with whatever you choose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom1994 Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Brilliant! Thanks for all of your replies, yeah Silkies did come accross as 'high maintenance' and i may get them in the future when i have more experience! But for now i think the Gingernut will be the best choice as a novice. I have just ordered my Eglu Go so just need my chickens! Ive had a look online but cant seem to find any sellers of this type of bird, i like in the north east, does anyone know of any Farms/Sellers in this area as im clueless, i dont mind driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charly1979 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Of my clan I would have to say the cuddliest are Marilyn and Connie. Marilyn is a Black Tailed Columbian and Connie is a Goldline. They are as dim as anything will try to pretend to run away but the moment you get close they coopey down and hey presto lovely cuddles Look forward to hearing what you choose to get and the tales you will tell us oh and I beware of the good ol 'More Hens disease' !!! I started with two and said I only ever wanted two yet 5 years later I seem to have 7 of the feathery ratbags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Brilliant! Thanks for all of your replies, yeah Silkies did come accross as 'high maintenance' and i may get them in the future when i have more experience! But for now i think the Gingernut will be the best choice as a novice. I have just ordered my Eglu Go so just need my chickens! Ive had a look online but cant seem to find any sellers of this type of bird, i like in the north east, does anyone know of any Farms/Sellers in this area as im clueless, i dont mind driving. Couldn't you have ordered the gingernut rangers from Omlet when you ordered your Go ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 As a lover of Silkies I would say that you kinda have to make up your mind right up front if you want lots of eggs, or posh pets. There are lots of breeds and cross breeds (read hybrids) who are friendly to humans, good egg layers and have nice coloured, if not exactly exotic, feathers, but once you have a flock of these, it is not usually all that easy to introduce the pretty pretty girls (such as Silkies, Polands, Frizzles etc.) as these tend to be so gentle (and possibly a bit dopy) that they get bullied outrageously by the sparky, bright, egg layers and nasty injuries can result I know some people have both, but generally it is an either / or. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clucky the Great Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Luvachicken you can only get chickens from omlet if you live within 2 hours of Oxford. I personally would ask your local vet or research on the internet any local commercial egg farms getting rid of them. The farmers are usually very keen for you to take/buy them as they only recieve 10p per hen if they go for dog food. Good luck and let us know how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 I assume you've seen this thread about sellers recommended by people on the board? http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=4658 Rescue hens may also suit For more info check out http://www.bhwt.org.uk/cms/re-home-some-hens/ or http://www.littlehenrescue.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx or http://www.homes4hens.co.uk/ Rescue hens can be hard work - have a look at the various re-homing organisations and speak to an organiser. Be clear that you're new to henkeeping and therefore really need hens that don't come with any major 'issues'. Many rescue hens will be in great condition with perhaps just a few feathers missing. Generally they will be in good health - insist on this as taking on hens with pre-existing problems might be a bit much. Good local reps (and the success of these adoptions does seem to depend on there being a good local rep) will be happy to have a proper chat with you and give advice. There's almost certainly going to be someone from one of those organisations in your area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 If eggs are your priority then go for hybrids Even a good quality egg laying bird like Sussex, Rhode Island Reds, Marans, Leghorns, Cream Legbars, New Hampshire Reds, Lincolnshire Buffs or Welsummers can't compete with year round eggs (but look at the wonderful choice you have!) However generally a bird has the ability to lay the same number of eggs in a lifetime so while hybrids may lay their socks off for two or three years they will then have an eggless retirement of maybe a year or so. The slow and steady pure breed will lay a lesser number of eggs each year often taking a break in winter but that gives their body a rest and they will be more productive and more healthy for more years often living beyond 6 years I would personally dispute that hybrids are best for a novice, they are wonderfully friendly in most cases that's true but hybrids were bred to lay and lay and they are in my humble opinion more prone to egg laying problems both internally and egg quality wise as well as behavioural problems Silkies are a little unusual in that they are very broody prone so they can buck the trend of taking a break in the winter but you'll see less eggs in the summer. Silkie come in bantam and large fowl size, the large are a decent size and so is their egg, bantams will of course lay a small egg. The trouble with Silkies is that there are so many about that are in between which us where they get their reputation for small eggs! I think a nice utility bird is a good choice for a productive pet personally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 Just seen that you have already made your choice but hopefully the above will be of interest to other readers so I will leave it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
