best breed

[nemo]

i need to replace my hens
i usually get 3 road island red ,leg horn cross, point of laying birds
what breed or hybrid would you recommend i replace my hens with.
i wont use ex battery hens .but what would you recommend i buy
thanks in advance
regards
nemo

[MaureenHall]

My Black Stars and Bluebelles are great, just started to lay (about 25 weeks old) and productivity is supposed to be quite good. Can I ask though, why are you replacing your hens?

[Bephlam]

and why won't you use ex batts (out of interest)?

[digthatchick]

I go with Maureen, my Black Stars and Bluebelles have been great layers, also Speckeldys - all still giving 5-6 eggs a week each.

[Hilary B]

I always liked Marans. Not quite as many eggs as the hybrids, but beautiful rich brown eggs, and in the second year, they only lay a FEW less, but when they go broody they tend to be reliable about it. The cockerels are less noisy than some, and pure-bred chicks have 'sex-linked' colouring, while immature cockerels (about the same age as POL hens) are good eaters.
Really what is best depends on exactly what you want from your hens.....

[Flummery]

I'm thinking of leaning in the direction of black rocks. They are hybrids and said to be fairly good layers even in winter. However, if someone can convince me otherwise (and I can get them locally) I'm still open to suggestions!

I'm not starting with ex-batts either, although I'm intending to have some when I've got a bit of experience. Just my preference.

[di]

Not sure on the availability nationally,but we have 2 suffolk Pieds,really beautiful hens& so far good layers.

[Birdie Wife]

Hi nemo,

I think availability will be your limiting factor where you live - if you know what you can get hold of, could you post a list? Do you want a certain colour egg, lots of eggs, big hens, little hens, any other criteria?

[JILLY JACKSON]

Hi,I have had black rocks years ago and they are good layers.I got warrens once and liked them better than all the other birds as they not only laid well but were very friendly and good to handle.Currently i have miss pepperpots who have just come into lay,they are very similar to the black rocks.

[Flummery]

If you are keen on battery hen welfare (which we all should be) then buying warrens BEFORE they go into the cages and giving them a good life with you, saves them from ever having to live that miserable life. Or is that too tortuous a train of logic?

[hawthorns]

i have a miss pepper pot and gingernut ranger. we get an egg each daily from them.

[Bephlam]

If you are keen on battery hen welfare (which we all should be) then buying warrens BEFORE they go into the cages and giving them a good life with you, saves them from ever having to live that miserable life. Or is that too tortuous a train of logic?

Here Here!

[CountryFayre]

Black Rock followed by Lohman Browns / babcocks

If you put Black Rock into google you should get the webpage which tells you where your local agent is. The other hybrids are a case of phone around

[Flummery]

That's why I decided on black rocks, CountryFayre - I know there is an agent near me. Also I read up a bit about them and they sounded just what I was looking for.

[Birdie Wife]

There is a supplier of Black Rocks in South Ireland