[legend jeff]

just a quickie to see if anyone can advise  me on a breed of chicken to start with or are they all similar, all comments  welcome thanks  

[Kate and her Ducks]

Welcome to the Hen House

Sure someone chickeny will be along in a minute and theres always loads of help about setting up and any problems you might come accross.

[legend jeff]

thanks for the warm welcome

[Kate and her Ducks]

Have you thought about ducks?  

[Bodger]

It depends upon why you want them, what your set up is like and how much space you have. Bantams of most breeds can be a good choice for the beginner without much room. They can lay quite a few eggs, and of course, they don't eat as much food as their large counterparts.
I'd go for a large docile breed such as Light Sussex or Rhode Island Reds. These are termed as being 'heavy' breeds  and are nowhere near as flighty as 'light breeds. Some of the light breeds such as Leghorns can fly almost as well as pigeons.
I'd keep away from the fluffy fancy birds, simply because they are more difficult to keep clean.

[richyrich7]

 fancy asking that question youre gonna get a hundred and 1 answers    Hybrid warrens are a good start if all you want is eggs and a nice friendly little brown bird  

And welcome to the forums  

[legend jeff]

ive got a large garden,but only thinking of around half a dozen,should i just stick to one type or can you mix them ?

[Kate and her Ducks]

Bear in mind that if you manage to stick to your original number of girls you will definately be in the minority!

[Zak the Rabbit]

Nice idea to get chooks Jeff, you can feed them the can of worms youve opened

By the time you read everyones replies you will be no wiser! everyones got their favourites.

Mine are bog standard commercial bred layers, ISA Browns (a hybrid warren, as mentioned earlier). Lay lots of eggs, but are lovelly brids, just not so fancy as others (quite plain really) but are friendly, easy to handle yet still great fun.

Have a think first about how much space you have for them, and what you want - eggs, meat, pets, and that will narrow it doen a little. (but not much!)

The balance will be between how many you can fit in, and what you want them for. Remember though, ordinary hybrids will cost a few quid each, a pure bred, unusual bird might set you back £40!

[legend jeff]

thanks for your comments guys n girls

[Kate and her Ducks]

Doubt that's all on the comments front! Sure there are a few more opinions out there

[babe]

cough cough.....



i hear these are quite nice

[Kate and her Ducks]

Told you

[chickenlady]

We have a mixed flock! we have 2 goldlines, 1 babcock, 2 amberlinks, 1 blackrock and 1 blubelle. the ambers are the most cuddly and in the 5wks they have been laying they have laid 66 eggs!!!!!!

[legend jeff]

well thanks anyway