Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: MarthaB on February 15, 2022, 09:57

Title: Which pure breed to add to ex-commercial flock?
Post by: MarthaB on February 15, 2022, 09:57

Hi everyone!

I currently have a wonderful little group of three ex-commercial hens and one little cockerel who I love lots. We have a little bit of extra space at the moment (plenty of free ranging but basing this on secure run space as they’re currently in lockdown plus there are times during the summer etc when I’m not home when they have to stay in their run) and although in the long term we will rescue some more ex-commercials when our bigger run is finished I’d love to have a couple of pure breed hens.

My reasons are a little selfish I guess. I’d love a couple of ladies who are not as prone to health issues but who will fit in well with my rescues present & future. They’d first & foremost be pets, but I must admit we’re missing the eggs as our girls aren’t laying anymore (one has just had a hormone implant as has had a few issues- fingers crossed it works), so a few eggs would be great but not the most important thing.


Anyway, that was a bit of a long winded back story to my question of- what pure breeds would fit in well with ex-commercials? I spotted faverolles which sound & look amazing but might be susceptible to bullying I think? Orpingtons sound good, but perhaps there are reasons I’m unaware of that mean they wouldn’t be a good match.


Buying is all fairly new to me as all our pets are rescues, so feel a bit bad but as we’re in the process of sizing up our facilities it won’t be long until another group of ex-commercials can join us.


thanks in advance!

☺️

Title: Re: Which pure breed to add to ex-commercial flock?
Post by: grinling on February 19, 2022, 13:52

Any breed can cause bullying, but try to stick to similar size chickens. You have a cockerel, which normally serves about 6 hens and he normally stops anti social behavour. You can get younger POL hens, rather than excommercial hens for eggs through winter. You can also get chicks and raise them yourself? Autosex breed is best.

Title: Re: Which pure breed to add to ex-commercial flock?
Post by: steven c on February 20, 2022, 11:43

we have in the past had wellsummers and black rocks both very hardy and good layers there are black rock agents around who would have different age pullets  good luck with your choice. as stated i think you should be ready for some bullying when introducing new hens to a flock.