Roksteddie Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 We're going to be getting a Go Up or maybe even a Cube but we want to start with 3 hens. We're thinking we want 3 hybrids but want them to each be different. We're looking for good egg production but most importantly we want them to be friendly and easily tamed. Any tips on what kinds work well together or breeds you'd recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 It really depends what's available to you locally. The 2 types of hen that Omlet sell are very good. You could go for a Columbine for blue eggs or a White star (white eggs). Bluebells are very pretty. There's no guarantee how tame your girls will be, but the more time you spend with them, handling them and giving them treats, the easier they will be to handle. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 New chooks - how exciting As far as I've learned, unless you're choosing for egg colour, if you want hybrids you may as well go on appearance, because as Chickabee says tameness seems to depend more on the individuals and your interactions with them than being based on breed. If you have the funds and the space I would recommend a Cube rather than a Go. I have both, and although I really liked the Go, I felt it was quite full with my 4 bantams (and they are pretty small). I wouldn't really have wanted 3 full sized hybrids in there and there definitely wouldn't be any scope for adding to your flock without changing the house if you came down with a case of moorhens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 If you go for the Go Up (which I have and loooove), I would go for an extended run. Unless you could give them some free range time each day, I think the standard run would a tad small for three full sized hybrids. I have four bantams, of which two are tiny (around 500 grams) and the other two are around 900 grams. This is the max amount of bird I think I could fit in the run, without them getting into scuffles. They get to free range a lot too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 It really depends what's available to you locally This is usually the main constraint, but I'd say go on the variety of colours of hens and eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roksteddie Posted September 4, 2016 Author Share Posted September 4, 2016 Well we're thinking that we're going to go to Southmead Poultry and they have the following to pick from: ISA Brown / Warren / Lohmann / Gingernut Red Ranger Bovan Nera / Mrs Pepperpot Belle Blue/Haze Speckledy Sussex Hybrid Sussex Reverse White Ranger Skyline Would 3 of any of these be too cramped for the Go Up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 Think they are all full sized birds, so between 2 and 3 kg of chicken. If they are a calm and chilled lot, it doesn't have to be an issue, but it doesn't leave them with a whole lot of space. I did add some roosting bars to the run, by just sticking a end of wood between the mesh of the run. Gives you a bit more space as you're using the height as well. But if you have the funds, I would do an extended run or go for a Cube. Otherwise, go for some bantams as they are about half the size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 You would need an extension on your run. Will they be free ranging too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roksteddie Posted September 4, 2016 Author Share Posted September 4, 2016 We would definitely be getting a 1m extension if we got the Up. The plan is to let them free range occasionally too. I assumed the actual coop was just for sleeping/laying really, but still want to make sure there's some room for them to manoeuvre comfortably. So is the general consensus that 3 would be pushing it? I thought Omlet have stated it could house up to 4 hens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 I think 3 would be fine with the extension. I've had 4 in my Go, but they free range all day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 I think you would be OK with 3, but no more. Sometimes when people have a flock in an area with more than one coop an incredible number will cram themselves into a Go sized house, but I wouldn't do it by design. 3 hybrids in an extended run would be Ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 The coop is fine for three hens I think. And with the 1m extension I would say: Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 Btw: this is how I clean mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Chick Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 What the others have said, plus it's always useful if you get birds that lay a different coloured egg from each other then you'll definitely know who's laying what! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggshell Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 I think 3 in the Go should be fine - my three are in a Go Up and tend to huddle together, leaving nearly half of it empty. The bigger the run the better, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justadmin Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Well we're thinking that we're going to go to Southmead Poultry and they have the following to pick from: Just to say we got our two ISA brown from Southmead Poultry and can't recommend them enough. Tracey was so helpful and full of advice for us, I know she recommended the ISA Browns for us for tameness, but all the girls there looked lovely! I want more already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GQsm Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Well we're thinking that we're going to go to Southmead Poultry and they have the following to pick from: ISA Brown / Warren / Lohmann / Gingernut Red Ranger Bovan Nera / Mrs Pepperpot Belle Blue/Haze Speckledy Sussex Hybrid Sussex Reverse White Ranger Skyline Would 3 of any of these be too cramped for the Go Up? Consensus I have found from various people/websites/forums is the house is fine for 4 birds, the run is the limiting factor. Make your run big enough and 4 hens should be ok in the Go house. Run wise I have seen sources say they think 1m Squared per bird is enough and others that 2m Squared per bird is what you should allow. This may depend on how much free ranging they get to do if any. I would recommend going for birds that lay different coloured eggs as you would like different hybirds. It has practical uses, there is no doubt when it comes to who is laying what and how often, which is useful for monitoring their general wellbeing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridieLou Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Our three hybrids are in a Go Up with 2m run, no extension. They free range all day for 4-5 days per week, and get 3 hours free ranging on the other 2-3 days. All seem pretty happy with that, so I'd say three would be fine with a 3m run provided they get some free ranging each day, even if just for a bit to flap their wings and run about eating the slugs... Do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roksteddie Posted September 5, 2016 Author Share Posted September 5, 2016 Thanks for all the input! Think we will deffo stick with Go Up as opposed to the cube (gotta think of the wallet!). Will definitely want 3. Looking at an ISA, Blue belle and unsure about the 3rd at present. Maybe we'll just go along and see what takes our fancy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadieatthebridge Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 We have a Gingernut Ranger. She is a classic red hen who lays a classic brown egg. We also have a Columbine. She is grey beige and lays white eggs. And a Speckledy. She is grey and lays a speckled egg. It is great to be seeing who is laying what, as a previous poster mentioned it is good for monitoring health if nothing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...