[wildeone]

Finally got my hubby thinking that a few chooks would be great! And we were discussing what type of run, coop and breed! Said he likes the black and white speckled types............. :roll: Good job I love the daft ape  Does anyone have any idea what that would be and few pictures of different breeds would be great as i'd like 2 or 3 but maybe different breeds (will this pose any problems?)  I live in a built up area with a modest garden so was thinking of a  coop and run but will let them roam when we're in the garden to keep the cats at bay! All wisdom greatly appreciated .................

[Aunt Sally]

Have a look through here:

http://www.omlet.co.uk/breeds/breeds.php?breed_type=Chickens

[KathyH]

Could he be thinking of a Speckledy?
Here is a pic of our Doris -

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=145247&id=653268331



Speckledys are a cross between Rhode Island Reds and Marans and give brown eggs with darker speckles! Its a chicken that sort of "does what it says on the tin"!
She is a great chook - nice gentle and friendly when she gets used to you   She is three weeks into lay and we are getting a good sized egg per day from her now.

[KathyH]

Did the picture thing ok this time (thanks Aunt Sally - looked up your previous advice!)
Here is Doris the Speckledy without having to click on the link!
D'oh!

:oops:

[wildeone]

Shes perfect!!!!!     We're not looking at keeping chickens purely as egg givers but as pets with a bonus!!! We're both a bit soft when it comes to animals and we know we'll end up attached to them! :roll:  :oops:  :roll:

[KathyH]

We are softies too!
They are "productive pets" and will hopefully live to a ripe old age! If we get some dinners out of the eggs in the early years then all the better!
Lets face it - how many years have we all spent looking after dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, tortoises (20 years so far on the Tort!) and never so much as a sandwich out of any of them!

Speckledys are good layer hybrids and you should find a supplier near you I would think  

[wildeone]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chicken-coop-Hen-house-Poultry-ark-house-Coup-RUN-Ps_W0QQitemZ220149175262QQihZ012QQcategoryZ46292QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is this run any good? Or do i need more room it says 8-10 chickens but that seems too tight a sqeeze?!?! Can anyone recommend a make or model?? Bearing in mind that me and hubby are both NOT diyers .....

[chickychick]

I am very happy with my pure white amberlink if you are looking for a recommendation for a pet and egg layer

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/album_pic.php?pic_id=712

we have had her two weeks she is so funny, friendly and curious and amberlinks have are supposed to be excellent for laying lots of nice brown eggs.  Also not expensive to purchase, she cost me the grand total of £4.25 and is laying an egg a day already!

we have two amberlinks and two bovan goldlines and the amberlinks do seem to be full of personality.  Its nice to have a mix as they will be more interesting to watch and you may be able to identify who laid which egg, as different chickens lay different looking eggs brown white bluish etc

I kept wondering why I was so keen to have chickens when I was setting our coop and run up but Im so glad I did they are really amusing.

[muntjac]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chicken-coop-Hen-house-Poultry-ark-house-Coup-RUN-Ps_W0QQitemZ220149175262QQihZ012QQcategoryZ46292QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is this run any good? Or do i need more room it says 8-10 chickens but that seems too tight a sqeeze?!?! Can anyone recommend a make or model?? Bearing in mind that me and hubby are both NOT diyers .....

 i wouldnt put more than 5 birds in that house wildone .but 5s enough for a start  

[wildeone]

I was thinking of 3 at the most..... Neighbours might have a fit if a flock of chicks moves in!!!! :roll:  

[SnooziSuzi]

Just to let you know I have bought from this seller, and whilst the coop and run I bought was smaller than I had envisioned (my fault not his) I couldn't fault them as sellers.

HTH,
Su

[chicksforkicks]

we keep 7 chickens on the side of our house. not supposed to, but do. neighors complain, usually a few eggs will keep em quiet,

[wildeone]

Thats good to know! Thanks suzi!!!!!  Unfortunately purse strings are dictating when we can do it ................. I somehow thought that i'd be able to get a chicken coop and run for a LOT less than they seem to be going for.
 :?

[jacnal]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chicken-coop-Hen-house-Poultry-ark-house-Coup-RUN-Ps_W0QQitemZ220149175262QQihZ012QQcategoryZ46292QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is this run any good? Or do i need more room it says 8-10 chickens but that seems too tight a sqeeze?!?! Can anyone recommend a make or model?? Bearing in mind that me and hubby are both NOT diyers .....

Price is so much better than the eglu/o,let one I saw yesterday.

I'm looking to keep chooks too, but all in good time - in the meantime, I search for a coop and run we can afford...