mullethunter Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 This is a bit of window shopping to make myself feel better really....but...when we've (fingers crossed) moved and settled, I may add a couple to my little flock. I love my bantam girls and for the most part am perfectly happy with their little eggs (when they feel like it ). But, OHs favourites are meringues, and I don't get much white in my eggs. So - question is, what would I add to get a decent number of normal sized eggs? Would have to get on with my 4 as I don't want two flocks. I wouldn't do this until I have a decent sized WIR and they'd still FR when I'm home as they do now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Avoid Isa Brown, they are nasty According to the website below get amber star, snowdrop or white star http://www.freerangepoultry.ie/our-breeds-2/hens/laying-hens Recently I replaced two Isa Brown with two heritage breed RIR, they are very peaceful. but I read somewhere they can vary greatly, avoid the production RIR "the light colored ones" I have two white stars they are very peaceful. "they are bantam size but lay average to big eggs" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 Are they hybrids? I'd prefer to get pure breeds because I don't want to bring vaccinated birds into my flock as I assume (I would check with the breeder) that mine haven't been Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Except RIR, everything else is a hybrid. if you don't want hybrid. heritage breeds RIR is your best bet. the second would be light sussex. buff orpingtons are very docile but they are big and have strong tendency to go broody. I am not sure about the white star. I heard it is inbreeding of white leghorns I can't see how vaccinated birds will harm your hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Avoid Isa Brown, they are nasty I am sorry but this is a quite ridiculous sweeping statement to make. Like everyone else who keeps/has kept warren type ex batts I have found that they are kind, caring hardy hens who look after each other with a gentleness I never expected to come across in poultry. Yes they are feisty too but only in seeing off crows or other unwanted birds in the garden. As to pure breeds you have an enormous choice. Orps, RIR, Sussex, cochin, araucana, marans, faverolles, and welsommer to name but a few. In addition to my lovely, gentle ex batt warrens, I have a faverolle, an araucana and two scots dumpies. I love my faverolle to bits. She is the calmest and kindest of all hens. Like all my pure breeds she is almost 6yrs old and still spreads her wings for the others to sleep under at night. My araucana is also nearly 6yrs old and lays the most beautiful blue eggs most days during a short season, typically, March to October. Feisty lady, quite pecky around my sablepoot. Scots Dumpies. Perfect hens. Lay probably alternate days throughout the season. The dumpies are hardy, quiet and gentle. If I was to restock I would probably get bantam faverolles but lots of them Truly lovely hens. But also keep ex batts too. Have just taken some photos of my ladies so will try to post a couple later on. Hope this helps. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I put the word feisty in the dictionary feisty [fahy-stee] Spell Syllables Examples Word Origin adjective, feistier, feistiest. 1. full of animation, energy, or courage; spirited; "Ooops, word censored!"y; plucky: The champion is faced with a feisty challenger. 2. ill-tempered; pugnacious. 3. troublesome; difficult: feisty legal problems. feisty ˈfʌɪsti/Submit adjectiveinformal (of a person, typically one who is relatively small) lively, determined, and courageous. "a love story with a feisty heroine who's more than a pretty face" touchy and aggressive. "he got a bit feisty and tried to hit me" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Avoid Isa Brown, they are nasty Yes they are feisty too but only in seeing off crows or other unwanted birds in the garden. Unfortunately when you introduce new hens they see each other as unwanted birds. About two weeks ago I gave pasta to my hens, I have two Isa Browns, they attacked a light sussex and punctured her eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Mars, I am sorry that you had this experience with your hens. Best wishes. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 Not sure if that helps or just adds to my wish list Sparkysmum! The faverolle sounds lovely but I REALLY fancy a Scots Dumpy - I had already thought of them but I've never come across them down here. I'd love to see pics of your girls - any excuse! Sablepoots are similar sized to Pekins aren't they? Do they all live together OK? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
