[stu4668]

I have purchased a Hen house/run and want to keep three/four hens in my back garden. I had the intention of rescuing some ex batts but now having doubts. I have seen some pics of light sussex bantams and think I would prefer a smaller bird like bantams. can anyone recommend a suitable bird to keep in a garden - not to noisy, docile, tame, good egg production.
Thankyou

[babe]

polands

not that im biased or anything :roll:

[freyaluck]

polands

not that im biased or anything :roll:

We'd never of guessed Babe    

[stu4668]

are polands docile, tame, good layers, easy to keep etc. they look a bit fancy to me!!!!

[babe]

are polands docile, tame, good layers, easy to keep etc. they look a bit fancy to me!!!!

well no, but my favourite.

personnally for eggs, and taming, warrens are great.

they are the same breed as ex batts.

others will be along with more options, we all have our best

[Lost in France]

Silkies are lovely and gentle, fluffy and cuddly and real little characters...well they all are aren't they? Silkies are great for kids too because they're so fluffy. They lay well, although mine are bantams so little eggs but still delicious.

They make silkies in lovely colours too...they're gorgeous and great broodies if you want chicks.

Judi

[agapanthus]

Pekins are docile and very pretty

[bedifferent]

I know they are not small but you can't beat a couple of lovely fluffy Cochins -  just the best back garden birds. Oh and have you ever tasted a Cochin egg?? You will never go back!!

[stu4668]

do you have a picture of a cochin?

[Jellyhead]

All of the above, blimey I couldn't choose out of that lot, well maybe, Polands, mmmm then again Silkies mmmmm then again Wynona my Pekin is a lovely girl and a fab mummy, no as before cant choose. I know HAVE ONE OF EACH OR TWO OF EACH blah blah blah      

[Foxy]

cochins are gorgeous birds! I have cochin chicks and they are sooo cute they are just growing huge fluffy feet! I also love Faverolles a lovely very tame breed and although the bantams are small they lay quite a reasonable egg and in winter too!!!  

[stu4668]

im not sure I want ones with fluffy legs/feet, I dont mind mixing the 3 or 4 i eventually get but i would like ones that are tame, docile, good pets, quietish, easy to keep and will give me some fresh eggs. Is that asking to much?

[ness]

I can recommend the only breed I have kept - Light Sussex Bantams.  They are good layers, hardy and easy to tame as they love their food.  I have 2 now in my small back garden, we have an area of grass which they mow beautifully, without scratching up!
Can you tell I'm a fan?!

[stu4668]

thats what I have been thinking of getting, I dont know whether to mix them a little and get different types of sussex. I want three or four. I now need to find somewhere within a radius of 70 miles of north yorkshire where they breed and sell them.

[ness]

Oooh yes the Silver Sussex are gorgeous and Buff Sussex are pretty too.  There is a useful list of poultry suppliers in the Poultry Info bit.  They are popular birds so you should find some.