Where to start?

[ancee]

Haven't been on here properly for a while, have been busy building a chicken house and run. It's nearly finished, just a bit more painting and faffing and we are all set...
This is where I need advice.
Which chickens shall we go for?
I've had all different animals from cats to tortoises, but never chooks. We are all set ready to go but don't know which ones to choose! Any help or recommendations really is appreciated. We're all dressed up with nowhere to go!

[Scarlet]

Well, it's all personal choice at the end of the day. I'll always have a collie (sheepdog) but my Mum friend prefers labs and it's the same for chickens!
What I would do is decide what you like and what you want from them. Are the eggs a bonus or just an extra? Some breeds don't lay as many as others. Do you want all different coloured birds, coloured eggs, birds that are easy to handle etc
I started with Peking bantams (half size of an average chicken) - lovely friendly birds, that come in a gorgeous range of colours, feathered feet so they don't spoil the garden quite as much but the eggs are half the size.
I had Orpington's, huge, lazy birds, lay few and far between but look fantastic.
Hybrids are more likely to lay all through Winter unlike traditional breeds that may lay through the first Winter but then will have a rest there after. That said I find traditional breeds will lay for more years than the hybrids that run out of steam eventually.
Also to put in that mix is ease of breed, some are easier birds to handle than others.
I would look around first at places that sell point of lay, check what breeds they are, ensure they are good healthy birds and then decide.

I only keep traditional birds now, I don't think you can go far wrong with Light Sussex or a hybrid of that. Often I find new keepers will pop out and just buy four birds, from a good breeder that are a range of colours and that may be for you??

There are a few threads on the same subject where other chook keepers have recommended their favourites, though guaranteed what ever you get you will be as pleased as punch.

[veggiechicken]

I don't think you can go far wrong with Light Sussex or a hybrid of that. Often I find new keepers will pop out and just buy four birds, from a good breeder that are a range of colours and that may be for you??

There are a few threads on the same subject where other chook keepers have recommended their favourites, though guaranteed what ever you get you will be as pleased as punch.

I've just gone back to keeping chooks and went to a breeder that I trust and bought 4 POL hens - all different breeds. I knew I wanted 4 birds and he had 4 breeds at POL stage. If he'd only have 3, I would have bought 2+2 so that there wasn't an odd hen to be picked on.
If cost is important, some breeds are cheaper than others - Warrens are usually the cheapest and are good egg layers and quite docile.
You'll love them whatever you get.

[ancee]

I am soooooooooo excited about this! So, 3 is not a good idea then vc? Do they like to pair up? Eggs are a bonus yes, We'd like some - I have a new egg box waiting I just want ones that are friendly and not stand-offish - or vicious! So if you know of any to stear away from that'd be great

[Scarlet]

3 minimum. They are flock birds, so in theory if one dies they still have a friend but you would then need to introduce more.....I started with 6.

[elizajay]

I have gone for 4 2 hybrids that should lay more eggs and go through the winter and 2 pure bred that should lay for more years.

[CurlyGreen]

Ex-batts?

If you are after the feel-good factor, go for ex-battery hens. We started with 2 hybrid POL hens from a local farm but over the years added a number of ex-batts to the flock. Nothing more heart warming than seeing their health come back, watching them discover grass and dustbathing in the sun for the first time. There is no guarantee they will lay eggs but ours were good layers. On the downside they will probably only live a year or two and there may be vets bills. I miss our girls but it's much easier growing veg without them "helping" and we don't have space for a separate, large run.

Hybrid hens are full of character, lay well and are very friendly. And they are such a lovely gingery brown colour.

If you would like rescue hens, the British Hen Welfare Trust would be a good starting point British Hen Welfare Trust

[ChrisMath88]

If your thinking of starting with a few with an idea of adding more, I'd get more to start with unless you have a lot of room. Adding birds to a flock isn't easy. I had 3 hybrid chicks then 6 months later added two pure breed aruacana's to the mix in January, they have only just calmed down and settled together. But then again all chickens are different and you might get a laid back mix, maybe mine are just stubborn


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[alifrew]

I started with a white star, a black rock, a light Sussex and a speckeldy then a friend had a warren who needed rehoming so she came to live with us too. The white star isn't particularly sociable with us but she does lay a huge white egg very nearly every day. They have weighed in at over 100g and were frequently double yolked in the first year. She doesn't provide much in the way of cuddles but she is very entertaining.
The black rock thinks she's human and frequently flies into the lounge through the window if we aren't watching! She is always ready for a cuddle and is stunning to look at. She lays dark brown eggs five or so a week.
The speckeldy has sadly died but was a v pretty girl, quite friendly and most entertaining. The warren has also passed on but she was an absolute darling. Loved her.
The light Sussex seems to think she's queen of the castle, lays lots of light brown eggs.

We are hoping to stock up on some pure breeds at the beginning of the summer to vary the eggs we have. I'm after a cream leg bar, an aracauna and a bluebelle because they are pretty!
I'm guessing that whatever girls you choose, you will adore them as they are so individual and entertaining


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[ChrisMath88]

My light Sussex lays loads of eggs too, she started laying in November last year and I can only think of 3 days where I didn't get a egg from her. My blueranger and speckeldy have a day off a week and my 2 auracana lay 3-4 each a week on average.


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