jomaxsmith Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Hello there! I'm a completely new chicken keeper so please bear with me through the inevitable stooopid questions! I have a secondhand Eglu Mk II with a standard run. I have just been to our local poultry centre and asked their advice on which birds to get. We've agreed that hybrids would be good place to start and they have recommended the following from the 16 week old growers that they have: Rhode Star Coral Maran Cuivre Columbine My primary need is for the birds to be friendly as I have two sons aged 3 and 5. They will not be able to free range that much as I'm in and out all day and also I really don't want them to destroy my garden (I know that's selfish and also fairly inevitable but I can dream!) Has anyone got experience of the above breeds and can tell me which 3 out of the 4 I should go with? Thanks Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I would get one of each The Rhode Star is lovely - my Pansy is one of those....you can see some picys of her in my Gallery album from the link below. Not sure what a Coral is................ Maran Civiree lays gorgeous deep choccy brown eggs, & is also a nice hen. Not sure on a Columbine either......... To be honest just go & have a look & see which ones look bold,pretty & friendly, & go from there. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share Posted October 25, 2007 Thanks! Is 4 do-able in a standard Eglu? I've been thinking 3 but..... I think the Rhode Star is a cert as my 5 year old really wants a 'ginger' one! The Maran Cuivre looks so gorgeous I think that's a fave too. The Coral is a white hen and I'm not sure whether I like white hens!! The Columbine's claim to fame is that it lays blue eggs but it was only the second batch that the poultry centre had had in so they don't yet know much about its temperament. It is a lovely looking hen but they were rushing about their pen like crazy and I really don't want anything flighty! I think I'll leave the final decision to my hubby! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I would just see what takes your fancy when you see them . Each chook is different and have their own personalities. I don't think it's too easy to breed type them, most hybrids are on the whole are bred for their good qualities like friendliness and amount of eggs. I'm sure someone who has more experience of these hybrids will be able to give you better advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 To be honest, the run is probably not big enough for 4 if they are in it all day. If they free range for long periods, then they would manage. I have 4 hens in both my green Eglus, but they each have a converter and an extension, so that on the days when I'm working etc they can move about without being too crowded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 White hens do have a reputation for being a little flighty, but I adore my Lily, who is a white star.She is really funny & cheeky White hens also show up really well from a distance, & make a nice contrast to the other colours. The Columbine sounds great - I am after a couple of blue layers, so if you like the look of those then that would be good too Best to go & see what takes your fancy on the day.We only picked one of our hens as she apparantly winked at mu Husband Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 To be honest, the run is probably not big enough for 4 if they are in it all day. If they free range for long periods, then they would manage. I have 4 hens in both my green Eglus, but they each have a converter and an extension, so that on the days when I'm working etc they can move about without being too crowded. I agree - we have 3 hens and decided very quickly that although the eglu itself was big enough, the run wasn't and Spice was getting picked on and didn't really have enough space to get away from the other 2. So after just one week we got the converter panel to extend the run......they definitely have much more space. 2 hens only really in a standard run probably. Mine also get out every day if at all possible to free range for an hour or above - I race home from work just to give them an hour out before i start teaching again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share Posted October 25, 2007 Thanks, I think we're getting into this chicken thing thinking it's probably going to turn into an obsession so the eglu with its standard run may be a temporary thing! I hope to be able to let them free range for an hour or two a day so they will get some outside time most days. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I have a Columbine. She's by far the friendliest of the 3 and will happily jump on my lap if I have treats for them. She has really cute wee feathers sticking up from the top of her head . She is about 24 weeks and hasn't started laying yet so don't know about the colour of eggs yet. I have an eglu and recently got the converter - it makes a big difference & they seem to be happy in it although I try to let them out as much as poss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 We have two columbines who despite coming up to 24 weeks are still flighty and not overly friendly, they don't like being stroked at all. They are however beautiful birds and we look forward to blue/green eggs soon. Our white hen Daisy a Fenning white is as friendly as Darcy vader the big blackrock hen. They all vary in personality which you can't tell when you first meet them. Best just to go with which you like on the day. We set off with the kids for sussex stars and came home with a completely different selection. Just enjoy choosing . . . Look forward to seeing what you get, do let us all know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I wasn't too sure about white hens either until I saw gorgeous little Lily, a Snow White, and I am so glad that I chose her. She is a real sweetie, with a lovely nature, and she looks beautiful too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I have one white hen and although she is now laying, she is not as forwardly friendly as the brown or black hens. Also, none of my crested hybrids are laying yet and they are all very wary and flighty. Having said that, I used to have an araucana who was exactly the same temperament until she started laying, then she completely changed personality and became very friendly! Get a converter and go for 4 - they'll cope with the children, mine all do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share Posted October 25, 2007 Thanks! But I wish you'd all stop trying to persuade me to get 4 I think we've decided on the Rhode Star, Coral and Maran Cuivre. The way the Columbines were rushing about worried me too much! We might well get the run converter too - just got to see what the postage is! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I had three in a normal run (rare to freerange) and it really did seem small so would definitely recommend a converter and won't try and tempt you with 4. I say like th eothers go and see what you like the look of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet G Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Jo If you decide you want an eglu run converter, we have one that we intend to sell (for a modest sum), as it's now surplus to requirements. Let me know if you're interested. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I was persuaded to get 3 hens rather than the 2 that I originally planned. I'm really happy with 3. I think 4 might be a bit cramped in the run (there's loads of room in the eglu 'cos they all cuddle together ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
