[smiler43]

Help :shock:  

So I'd decided to get 3 Black Rock POL's, but now after reading a few topics I'm undecided again!  Read on a few topics that they can be noisy and will trash the garden.

Hubby is in the process of making house/run to keep them safe for when I'm at work.  I'll let them out from about 3pm til they go to bed.  I'd picked Black Rocks (as they look nice) for being docile and having a better immune system.  I want to keep them as pets and for the bonus of eggs.

Which other hybrids would be a good choice for my situation.

[babe]

IMHO you cant beat warrens (isa browns) super friendly, lots of eggs. is there a reason that you are going for hybrids. as there are so many breeds to choose from and there's ne reason you have to have all the same breed. i have warrens, cream legbars, a brahma, a poland, a hamburg,  etc all living happilly together.

bluebell the brahma is huge, rainbow the hamburg is tiny. and all sizes inbetween.

[smiler43]

I was told that hybrids would be the best by my sons friend who keeps chickens.  He said they would be easiest?  As I'm a newbie I want something that is easy to look after and will be friendly.

If I were to have 3 different ones, would they get on?  Would I need to get them at the same time from the same supplier?

Any suggestions welcome.

[naturesparadise]

sorry but i dont agree with your sons mate

there are lots of breeds that are friendly and and good layers

and if you want ones that wont kill you garden then get the breeds with feathery feet

they wont scratch up your garden

[Bodger]

All chickens will trash your garden if given the chance.

[Wildeone]

Wish i'd done a before and after on my garden they've totally trashed it - but i don't mind they're worth it!  

[Aunt Sally]

I just keep my girls off the garden that I don't want them to dig in !

[Foxy]

Have a real good look around! and dont be in too much of a hurry... there are lots to choose from. Visit a poulty show or a chicken farm which is open to the public to get a feel of what you like. I find that the birds are handled a lot that all of them become tame -some might be slightly flightier that others. Also I feel that there is no reason why with good husbandry that health should be dependant on breed. A few small exceptions with Mareks disease but as long as you get your birds from a reputable breeder and they are in good health that should not be a problem - just my thoughts though.

[smiler43]

I don't think there are any shows around here, I'll have a look in the Practical Poultry mag for whose around this area and see if we can take a look at some.

I'm planning on sectioning the garden off so that we still have some lawn for our purpose, washing etc!!!