chicken choice?

[9pollock]

What are the hardiest chickens I could get as I live in quite a windy open location especially in the winter near Glasgow? I have been to see black rock, light sussex, isa brown. Not sure if these would be ok. Want to get girls that will be happy. Please help all advice will be appreciated.

[BertieFox]

The hardiest ones we ever had were mongrel bantams. Not only did they live for years and years, still laying the odd egg, but they were very resistant to disease. I don't know if you will be able to find such a thing in your locality as so many people like to raise specific breeds... but like all in-bred critters they won't be as hale and hearty as the interbred mongrel types.
Although the odd full size chicken here keels over from time to time, they are a pretty hardy lot, and were probably Warrens originally, but we have bred them ourselves from various cockerels given to us by friends originally. The best are always the ones raised by the chicken herself rather than in the incubator. They have survived minus 20C in winter and cope with relatively hot weather too. I'm sure Glasgow wouldn't be beyond any hardy mixed breed type.

[9pollock]

Many thanks for the info. I will not be going for true breeds but a mix.

[9pollock]

Any more suggestions out there as I am really concerned I get the wrong chickens.

[Nicos]

Whilst you are waiting for suggestions- have you had a gooogle?? Black Rock seems to come out well.

Sorry- I don't know much about specific breeds.

[Scarlet]

You wont go far wrong with the Light Sussex it is a hardy breed, lays well, often in winter and is a good bird for new keepers. Easy to handle and calm.

[Daffy]

I've got a couple of sussex ladies, a coral, a blue, a speckled and a black rock. All good layers and good natured. Make sure you get ones that have had their jabs. I particularly like the white ones as they are easy to see from a distance. Also, go for hybrids everytime.

[Scarlet]

There you go - all personal choice. I would go for pure breeds all the time. I don't think hybrids are as hardy! I love all Sussex birds, silver Sussex in particular but they definitely don't lay as many as the light Sussex.

[9pollock]

The sussex sounds a good choice and the fact they will be calm. The others are interesting as well to many choices and so difficult to decide! I will search google to get info on all that have been suggested.

[Nicos]

We have 3 light sussex.
They natter between themselves non stop and are very calm. They slow down with their laying in winter ( as opposed to the Marans which stop totally between October and March)
The the eggs are nice and big too!
Lovely lasses

[RichmondHens]

If hens are well kept they rarely fall ill and can stand most weathers. Most "normal" breeds will do just fine - Sussex, Maran, Rhode Island Red. The Black Rock hybrid was developed in Scotland so will also be suitable. Avoid very profuse feathering and feathery footed birds if you live in a wet area.

Most common chicken problems can be avoided if you ensure they have the following - fresh clean water, good quality feed (not too many treats!), regular worming and delousing, plenty of space to roam and a clean dry house to roost in.

[Falkirk Bairn]

Hi,

I would highly recommend The Whole Chicken Kaboodle as a supplier. I've got a mix of hybrids from there and they are all doing fantastic.



Meant to say that the supplier is in Cumbernauld so not too far from you.

[9pollock]

Many thanks for this I was having difficulty finding a recommended place to get the hens. Not to far in the car.

[Scarlet]

( as opposed to the Marans which stop totally between October and March)
The the eggs are nice and big too!
Lovely lasses

My Marian's also go broody in between! But they lay the huge eggs with lovely dark shells. A real treat! Wouldn't be without them.

[Feral007]

Isa Browns are hugely popular here, and our ex battie's are. And they are pretty darn hardy, and very funny birds. Our other two are Rhode Island Reds, also lovely birds. We get from -14C a fewtimes in winter to 38C in summer so they have to be hardy. We bought the Reds locally, lovely birds. the ex battie's came from Sydney, and luckily had time to acclimatise to the cold and grow a few fluffy bits.