What Chickens to Buy

Lakisha354 · « **on:** January 05, 2009, 20:31 »

Hi everyone, Im looking for some POL but not sure what breed would be best to get.

I want something that is going to be a good layer, and easy to keep in a back yard for a novice.

All ideas welcome.

Thanks Shelley x

Vember · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2009, 20:39 »

Hi Lakisha

Welcome to the Hen House

My first hen's were light sussex, really nice friendly hens & great layers too

Sarah

Molly Hen · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2009, 20:43 »

Hi Lakisha
I too am a novice and have only had my girls for 9 days now. I have two coral's, two black rock look-a-likies and two brown ones (can't remember what they are). The corals are great, they are so loving and have already started to lay.

I must warn you about this site though, now you have found it, you will get nothing done around the home. It is very addictive finding out what is happening with your fellow chicken keepers.

Good luck and enjoy.

SnooziSuzi · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2009, 21:17 »

Hi Shelly, welcome to the site

My first girls were plain old warrens, also known simply as hybrids.

They are the type bred for the egg business and often only survive for a year, either because of harsh conditions in a battery farm or because many are culled when they are a year old.

they have a lovely temperament and will lay (quite) consistantly until they are a few years old.

Next, I got a buff orpington cockerell called Patrick.

.
He looks after the girls and is very noisy if you startle him!

Finally the main others are my Light Sussex and this is how I most often see them... heads down, bums up!

they are cheeky and greedy but lay lovely eggs.

I keep Clara Cluckerbutt as a broody, but she's such a prim and proper lady; always keeps to herself but can hold her own when the bigger one's start picking on her! Not really sure what breed she is but someone on here suggested a Cream Legbar.

Let us know what type you choose!

Bodger · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2009, 22:05 »

Warrens. :thumright:

3Bluebelles · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2009, 22:14 »

Hi,

Don't have much experience, but would highly recommend Bluebelles. They are so pretty, friendly and laid back. Mine are still young, but the one that is laying is laying 1-a-day, like clockwork, even in this weather, and they come and feed form your hand (as long as you have something they want).

Jacky.

Jane-M · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2009, 22:38 »

I started with three meadowsweet balck star hybrids. Very quick to tame, good free rangers, reliable layers, lovely personalities if that matters to you. My legbars in contrast are very flighty - pretty eggs tho.

Jane-M · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2009, 22:40 »

Forgot to mention - the black stars are totally weather proof, tough as old boots.

Jellyhead · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2009, 21:02 »

Quote from: "SnooziSuzi"

That is just a fab photo Snoozi, love it love it love it

you should put a caption with it and enter in the comp (if you havent already :oops:) havent checked for a while :roll:

andreadon · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2009, 22:35 »

You want to go for a silverlink like our Jessica. (hybrid breed, we got her from churchmans farm in faversham)
She's quite big and blinking greedy, but she lays eggs like they're going out of fashion!
(she's not massive, you understand, she's normal size but quite feathery)
sometimes when she's supposed to be having a day off (as chickens do - usually once every three weeks with ours), she lays one massive double yolker then the next day lays 2 with no shells then back to normal.
she's really funny.
have a look at our videos on youtube (under bothychickens).

Poolfield2 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 06, 2009, 23:18 »

I think the answer would be 3 of mine that I'm going to sell

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What Chickens to Buy

Vember

Bodger