I'm new to this

[Newtothis]

Hi

The lovely couple that we've been buying our eggs from for several years have decided that it's time to retire from the egg business (They are both in thier late eighties, and are only keeping some hens for themselves and immediate family now).

So I'm looking around for some advice for keeping a few hens in our back garden so that I can still get a tasty egg.

I'm a complete beginer and would appreciate any advice from you 'egg'sperts out there.

My current thoughts center around which will be better, big hens or bantams; pure breed or hybrids.

Thanks

David

[vicky]

Welcome to the Vine!!
Loads of advice on here on chicken keeping if you're just starting out. A good time of year to start thinking about it - you'll be ready with the coop by the time the spring comes.
What type of hen? I have a mix. Bantams seem flighty so might not suit if you have children, but my children love their tiny eggs!
Pure breeds look fantastic - whatever colour you desire! They'll lay less often but live longer and lay longer than hybrids. You can also get ones that lay dark brown or blue eggs!
Hybrids are egg machines - if you just have room for a few and want eggs they're your ones.
If you have the space I'd go for a mix. At least 3 birds and have a look at the Battery Hens Welfare Trust website if you want to do a good deed too.
Now someone else will tell you a totally different opinion!

[motherhen]

Hi David, our personal preference is hybrids as they will lay an egg a day with the correct husbandry, where as pure breeds and bantams have a more natural cycle of rest in Winter lay a few eggs go broody lay a few more eggs then back to rest. The hybrid is much more prolific but must be fed on the proper ration, as they need the balanced diet to keep them producing.
Many people think that they do not last long but we have had them laying up to 7 years old, although the egg shapes can become a bit odd, the egg inside is no different.
It is best to get this sort of bird from a recommended source as local sales and markets can be a bit of a mine field for the complete newbie. Hens are great fun so enjoy.

[miker2d2]

get some ducks! my khaki campbells have laid loads of eggs and are still going strong even with the cold

[walldanzig]

Hi and welcome. You will find loads of great people on here who are always willing to help even when the questions are stupid(I know I asked them) I started with three bantams and regret not getting the big birds straight away. The little eggs are nice but are not quite big enough and the bantams are always the first to stop laying and go broody a lot. If its eggs your after I would go for hybrids

[Glutton4...]

I would suggest a mixture, but it really depends on how many you have room for. I started with 8 and now have around 36. Spend a day in the 'Rule the Roost' Forum, and you'll learn loads!

Very important point though - we need pictures!

[Flummery]

Hybrids lay more often (usually one a day when young) and are less likely to go broody. Some pure breeds are beggars for going broody on you - great if you want to hatch out eggs but lousy if you want to eat your own - they go off lay when they are broody. We have 4 hybrids, hand tame, wonderfully friendly, not at all flighty - they are the type referred to as Rangers. It's their second winter and they are laying a bit less now but still between one and three eggs a day. I think this is only down to the fact that one girl is deep in a hefty moult and off lay for that reason.

We are considering adding a couple to our flock in spring - can't decide whether to have more hybrids or a couple of pure breeds.

I can only say, whatever you choose, you will get SO much more than eggs from them. It's all cupboard love but they are such characters and all very different. I was sceptical when our supplier said that after a week we would know which of our apparently identical hens was which, but he is so right. When someone pecks your trousers you say, "Cut it out Topaz" - and it IS her!

Do go to a reputable supplier. Our hens cost us £14 each and I know you can get them for £3.50 but they have been so healthy - no mites or worm infestations - touch wood it will stay that way.

I have no experience of banties so I can't advise on them, sorry. Best of luck with whatever you choose.

[polo]

Hi David,

We got our first hens in March last year so still pretty new at this. I would go for some good robust hybrids from a reputable supplier if eggs are your most important thing. There's so much choice out there it's difficult to know which is best - go with your suppliers advice. Tell them your needs e.g good layer, not too flighty around kids etc and they will point you in the right direction.

They are all different though = even in the same breed. I have two speckledy's/marans one of which is totally anti social while the other is very friendly and the white leghorn I have is supposed to be flighty but she is the friendliest of the lot. Has anyone else found this?

Sorry if confused you more....

[Glutton4...]

Yes, Polo, I have very differing characters in my lot. Some of my Ex-Batts are flighty, but most of them aren't. Two of my Marans are really scatty and the other isn't too bad.

[Newtothis]

I'm overwhelmed!

Well thank you all for the response!
I think a supply of eggs is my first thought at the moment so at least some hybrids then.
that brings me to my next question -
How many hens can I have?
I have room for a secure run of about 3M x 2M and the hens will need to be in there whilst we are at work. They will have run of the garden (and maybe the kitchen) when we are around, but I'm a bit worried about leaving them out in case a fox gets in.
The garden isn't big, just an average size, about 20M x 18M as an 'L' shape around the house. That is why I asked about bantams, but would really like to keep larger hens.

We thought 3 or 4 hens tio start, we only use around a dozen eggs a week.

My OH and I both work near to the house and quite often pop back during the day, with our days off being mid week too.

[Newtothis]

Oh....and are some breeds better at not grubbing up raised beds than others?

David

[kittykat8]

My white Leghorn is very friendly and is the boss of 6 Hybrids, the other five are 2 Rangers , 1 Light sussex, 1 Blue Bell, and rode rock or simular. I had these May just gone, they are lovely birds. In this cold weather, I have been getting 4 to 6 eggs and one day 7 don't know how that happened.

maz

[Liza]

I have two buff orpingtons ( large) and two lavender araucanas (bantams), the buffs are still laying.

I wouldnt have more than 4 in that space, but thats my opinion.

They will scruff up everything that is not well established

I have had a bad experience of a breeder in oxfordshire selling me a cockeral instead of a hen so be careful where you get them from.

Where abouts are you ? I am in Didcot.

[walldanzig]

I would probably just have 3 in that space you will get plenty of eggs.As for turning the beds up I found thats more down to the individual hen than breed

[Nicos]

Hi there- and welcome to the Vine!
...lovely to hear you're getting some chooks!