little or large??

[pumpkin cuddler]

Hello there.
Looking for some advise please.

I am looking to get some chickens but am unsure of size. I know there are what I believe are known as light/bantam or heavy breeds but not sure what would be best for me.

I am of the understanding that the size that I have available I could get in 4 chickens, of the heavy size/type. But, would I be better off getting some of the lighter breeds instead.

I have had conflicting information about which ones go broody more often. Which ones are more docile. Which ones lay more egg. I know that the lighter ones lay smaller eggs, I know that this could be offset by the fact that I could have more of the bantam type as they require less space.

I will be letting them out as well as having them in a covered run. I have a reasonable size garden with a six foot high fence around but would I find that the lighter type would find it easier to investigate what my neighbours garden is like?? Not a good idea I know.

There are probably other things that I have not asked and need to know, so any of your good peoples advice will be greatfully received.

[yoanbob]

hello pumkin cuddler, its really down to choice, i find bantams go broody more often. how many eggs depends on breed rarther than size, bantams are usually normal chooks bread to be small, so they are just smaller versions of the normal kind.
how many eggs do you use? 4 chucks will provide a lot of eggs, we have 3 at the mo and give away about 12 eggs a week, eat the rest.
if you have a breader near you go talk to them as they will have the breads that do well in your area, also they will be your main reference point in times of concern. make sure you specify you want them for eggs, if you get ones bread for showing they tend to produce less, if at all.
for chooks as pets and producers i would recomend a warren, very people friendly, and produce very well, your breeder will tell you which breeds are flighty,(not recomended) as for getting out, after the first few days they will know their territory and if they are not flighty should settle in and not need to get out, unless they are over crowded and are looking for more space.
how big are the holes in your fence? you should be ok with normal chooks and 3 inch square holes.
In your situation i would proberbly opt for less than what the books say you can have, you can allways get more later, I like full size chooks but its really personal choice.
your breeder really is the best person to ask, he will have different breeds than you see in the book, there are lots of hybrid breeds out there, each bread for different reasons, just tell him/her you need people freindly layers and he will find you what you need.
good luck, anys q's just ask.

[Loz]

If you can, get hold of a copy of 'The complete encyclopedia of Chickens' It has fantastic pics, good descriptions and notes on eggs etc.

Me, I'd go with sikies for ornamental value, Light Sussex for eggs and meat

Loz

[CountryFayre]

Bantam is minature - Large is standard or full size
Light and heavy are more to do with bone structure/ build so you get light bantams and heavy bantams along with light large and heavy large. It is the heavy breeds like orpingtons and sussex which have a tendancy to go broody. They do however also tend to be docile birds.

Bantams give you a smaller egg which is fine if you scramble fry or cook with however if it is boiled eggs you like with soilders then large eggs are 100 times better.

Poultry show season is just starting up. Try and get to a few shows and see the different breeds around and as advised above talk to the breeders if it is pure breeds you are after. Do remember though, that the eason the breeders keep the birds they do is because to them they are the best bird to have!

[Tensing]

We have Silkie Bantams and from 3 layers ger 2 or 3 eggs a day, they are smaller than a normal chicken egg.

The bantms themselves are incredably friendl, and love cuddles from the children.

[nick the grief]

a lot depends how many eggs you need I guess. It's ok having 6 bantams or minuatures but if they lay 3 egs a week thats 18 eggs you've got to deal with!

I assume as they are going to be "utility" pets your not going to eat them, so I would think about some of the more colourful Hybrids (speckledy's etc) and maybe the odd bantam/minature but bear in mind that Silkies are usually quite expensive as they are popular for showing.