[keepers_cottage]

Hello all,

Its been a while since I have been on here.

We have a new allotment so I have been busy sorting that and building a new hen house and run.

My question is what type of hens to get. We used to have Bluebells, they were brilliant.

I would like something a little different this time but I need an encyclopedia on hens!!

Watching River Cottage I like the look of the Wyandotte's, Welsummer's and the light Sussex. We need good layers that will eventualy be used for meat when they are finished laying.

Can anyone advise me on some good hardy breeds that are good layers that I can look out for at auction?

Many thanks

Keepers

[joyfull]

any pure breed when it has finished laying will be no good foe eating - often pure breed are still laying at 8 years old.

[evie2]

I'm a bit bias here but I recommend Light Sussex and Speckldy, ours lay every day

[shetan]

can i suggest rescued ex-battery hens? we have just adopted six and they have laid more eggs in the last week than our pure breeds have laid thus far! we've gone from 3 eggs a day (from 8 pure breeds) to 9 a day with the addition on 6 rescue girls.

they are really friendly - come to your call and are extra happy tyo see you. just be aware that they may have had their beaks trimmed and i don't think they grow back.

[joyfull]

however ex batts are supposed to be in retirement and any eggs are a bonus. With the 4 that I got 2 laid lashes within weeks so were no longer able to lay eggs.

[compostqueen]

Ex batts won't make good eating either, and Keepers  has said she wants to eat them once they've done laying