The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: chezlouise1980 on February 17, 2011, 08:27:55 am

Title: Best chickens to start with
Post by: chezlouise1980 on February 17, 2011, 08:27:55 am

Morning all  :D
Am going to get a few POL chickens in next month or so, and wondered if there are any specific breeds that are good to start with? Looking for a good layer which is quite hardy as we live in west scotland. Have 25 quails at the mo and looking to expand my birds  :D

Thanks

Title: Re: Best chickens to start with
Post by: Cinderhills on February 17, 2011, 08:39:51 am

From my limited experience of just a handful of breeds Black Rocks would be my choice and we are planning to get more in the spring.  They lay a lot and are the first to start laying once the moult is over.

Title: Re: Best chickens to start with
Post by: Rosemary on February 17, 2011, 08:50:59 am

I'm a fan of the Black Rock hybrid too. But beware of imitations! Te BR has been in short supply but things seem to be getting better now.

Alternatively, you might want to try one of the two Scottish rare breeds - the Scots Dumpy or the Scots Grey.

Title: Re: Best chickens to start with
Post by: Andrew on February 17, 2011, 09:21:32 am

We have a few different breeds all free ranging and live in Stirlingshire . We find the best layers to be Black Rocks but we also get a good amount of eggs from our light Sussex and Marans and quite a few less from the Buff Orpingtons and Scots Dumpies. If you want to have a look at any of the breeds we have you are welcome to visit.

Title: Re: Best chickens to start with
Post by: BlueDaisy on February 17, 2011, 10:55:34 am

I would go with Sussex, they are friendly, hardy and lay the best eggs! From our light sussex we got about 5-6 eggs per week, and our speckled who has just started laying, and is the prettiest, sweetest hen, is laying 4-5 a week. I imagine once she gets into her stride she'll get up to an average of 6 a week.
(But I've never met a tame or friendly black rock, which other people on this forum have!) :P

Title: Re: Best chickens to start with
Post by: chezlouise1980 on February 17, 2011, 11:03:41 am

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I think i might start with light sussex, and see how i get on. With my quail experience, I'm hoping keeping chickens wont be too daunting  :)

Title: Re: Best chickens to start with
Post by: benkt on February 17, 2011, 01:29:32 pm

I go with Light Sussex for quantity and Marans for quality and find that a winning combination!

Title: Re: Best chickens to start with
Post by: CameronS on February 18, 2011, 06:47:16 pm

I would also vouch for Sussex, or as Rosemary says, Scots Dumpies

Title: Re: Best chickens to start with
Post by: Buffy the eggs layer on February 21, 2011, 06:42:30 pm

Hi,

    my one and only Sussex is constantly broody ( she is sitting on a cluch due on Fri as I type) she only manages to lay for a couple of weeks at a time and then she's at it again. She started being broody soon after she came into lay so I have never really had a good laying period from her. Having said that she is an excelent mother and will raise healthy chicks through all weathers.

  I know Sussex have a reputation for being good broodies though not all will be as obsessed as my little hen. It may be worth concidering this feature of the breed though...I'd hate you end up with all of them getting hot and bothered in the nest boxes at the same time ;D

Perhaps a selection of breeds would avoid you putting all your eggs in one basket....., Sorry, I just couldn't resist that one ::)

Buffy