[Pollo]

Is there any breed of chicken that sortof fits the bill here?

I want a breed thats avarage size, just not a Giant or something  :blink:
And docile and friendly,
And something thats common

Eggs dont matter to me,
Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance xxx

[joyfull]

have a look at the various breeds and hybrids and go fo ones that you like the looks off. If you get a blue/green layer (araucana or cream legbar), a white egg layer (leghorn or appenzeller perhaps) and a flesh coloured layer (bluebelle, blackrock, warren etc) or even a chocolate coloured egg layer (marran), terracotta coloured (welsummer) you will know who laid which egg 

[orchardlady]

It will all be down to personal preference but if you want an bit of variety there are many different types of hybrid hens out there. Try the link below it has lots of photos and descriptions. Thee are many different suppliers out there to.

Good luck and let us nosey lot know how you get on.


http://www.meadowsweetpoultry.co.uk/poultry.htm

[Pollo]

Right , after a bit of thought, i think i will tell you "Nosey Lot" xD that i'm getting a either two Stars and a Plymouth Rock, or the other way around
 Sound like a good choice?

[joyfull]

not had either of these breeds so can't comment. Why have you chosen them?

[orchardlady]

I've had (over the years) Black Rock, Gold Star, White and Black Star and Speckled Star. They are all excellent free range birds, friendly, excellent layers and the White Star that is the smallest hybrid lays the biggest (pure white) eggs I've ever seen.

[Pollo]

not had either of these breeds so can't comment. Why have you chosen them?

Choose Stars because apparantly ther very affectionate, and as a plus their the size i was after, and Rocks because I don't want all the same type, and their relatively the same size so the Rock/s won't get "picked on"

Plus they both have beatuifull colouring

[Ice]

Well you have a year or two to make up your mind so no rush.

[otis pony]

we have ex-batt offspring, your regular Isa Browns, lovely, friendly girls, still laying even in this horrid weather, thoroughly recommended

[Chicken star]

I have 3 Amber Stars and they are rather friendly and quiet. They let you pick them up etc.
However rather cheeky... ( sneaking in to horses stables with them in a morning to pick at left over food)
However i think they're a great choice.
They're good layers aswell.
I have had an egg every day since April ish when i bought them up untill a few weeks ago when i moved their coop.

I hope you enjoy your new stars

[Lindeggs]

Is there any breed of chicken that sortof fits the bill here?

I want a breed thats avarage size, just not a Giant or something  :blink:
And docile and friendly,
And something thats common

Eggs dont matter to me,
Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance xxx

You say eggs don't matter to you - does that mean you only want the hens as pets, not as egg-layers?

If that is the case you could consider re-homing some hens that are past their egg-laying best.  That way you can give a happy life to an animal that might otherwise be killed off, and you can also meet the hens in advance and assess whether their size and temperament are what you are looking for.

I wish I had enough room (and money for food!) to set up a happy hen retirement home.  I think it would be a very satisfying hobby.

[Pollo]

Is there any breed of chicken that sortof fits the bill here?

I want a breed thats avarage size, just not a Giant or something  :blink:
And docile and friendly,
And something thats common

Eggs dont matter to me,
Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance xxx

You say eggs don't matter to you - does that mean you only want the hens as pets, not as egg-layers?

If that is the case you could consider re-homing some hens that are past their egg-laying best.  That way you can give a happy life to an animal that might otherwise be killed off, and you can also meet the hens in advance and assess whether their size and temperament are what you are looking for.

I wish I had enough room (and money for food!) to set up a happy hen retirement home.  I think it would be a very satisfying hobby.

Oh .. i never thought of that Yes, i want some cuddly chickens for pets. They stop laying about 6  or 7 don't they?

That is a wounderfull suggestion. Im going to adopt about 3 or 4 chickees next year then

[Pollo]

Anyone know any websites where people advertise unwanted chickees?

[Lindeggs]

You could try the "poultry swap shop" on this site for a start.  Perhaps even start your own topic offering to re-home some hens and letting people know the date you will be ready to take them. 

I contacted the SPCA (I'm in New Zealand so I don't know if the RSPCA has the same system).  The local SPCA put me in touch with a woman whose invalid brother could no longer look after his hens so she was trying to re-home them.  Unfortunately one of the hens was rather sick so I ended up not taking any of them - as a novice chicken-keeper I don't have the knowledge to nurse a sick hen back to health.

The staff at the SPCA told me they often end up with hens (but especially roosters) needing to be re-homed so check with your local branch and see if they do too.

[Lindeggs]

I just took a look at the RSPCA website.  Here's Ronald McDonald and his hen-friends:
http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/rehoming/petsearch/details/-/Pet/RONALD%20MCDONALD/ref/32732/rehome/

So apparently the RSPCA does have chickens to re-home sometimes (although there aren't many on their site).