?what are the best chickens to start off with

[keki]

hi all

i am new to veg growing this year and i am also thinking of keeping some chickens aswell

as i am new to it all can anyone tell me which are the best breed of chicken to start with and any other info that you think may help!

also i know i have read that chickens are relatively easy to look after, but do you think i would be taking on too much this year as i am currently pregnant with twins which are due in june!?

thanks very much

kerry x

[Bephlam]

Hi Kerry, and welcome to the Vine.

You've asked a really tricky question here - with so many wonderful breeds and varieties to choose from it's very difficult to give you a non biased answer. I can assure you that when you do decide to take on some chickens, you'll NEVER regret it. They're wonderful little additions to the family. Lots of people on here keep ex bats, and adore them. Not only are the a worthy cause, they're so greatful of their new life. I have faverolles, which I also love and couldn't recommend highly enough. It's important to get something that suits your lifestyle, for me I prefer breeds that are heavier and less flighty.

Chickens are REALLY easy to look after - half an hour a day (if that) to cater for their every need. You can do as little, or as much as you like with them. As long as they're fed, watered and safe from dangers they'll love their life.

I'm afraid I definitely can't tell you whether you're taking on too much - for me I'd have the chickens and rehome the twins....but that's just me....two babies would DEFINITELY be too much for me!

Good luck in whatever you decide to do....

[Birdie Wife]

Hi kerry,

If it's eggs you're after, and unless you particularly want a fancy breed, I would just go for a hybrid layer that has been bred for for the free range like an Isa Brown, Lohmann Brown or something like that. It would be worth looking at Black Rocks as well, they are very hardy and disease resistant but sometimes there are problems with bullying. It tends to just be when Black Rocks are mixed with other more docile breeds though.

Hens are really easy, trouble-free for the most part and the only work involved is collecting eggs (not a chore really!) and cleaning out the house (how often depends on how many hens you have and how big the house is, but usually about every other week would be adequate. It's not much more trouble than keeping guinea pigs or rabbits really, with the bonus of fresh eggs!

[MaureenHall]

Hi Kerry and welcome

Congratulations on the expected twins. Awwwwwwwwwww I love babies (couldn't eat a whole one though!)

Deciding to keep chickens is another of the best decisions you'll ever make. I can't imagine my life without mine now and I've had mine for less than a year. I've got a mixture of ex-battery and other breeds (13 in all), and what I wanted from them mainly was lovely fresh eggs, which I get every day. Like Bephlam said, they're so easy to look after, and the ex-batts are so grateful for being given their freedom it's lovely to see.

I'm sure that with having twins, you'll get lots of support from family and friends. Bribe them with half a dozen eggs every so often and they might even do the mucking out for you Only you can make the decision as to when you get your chooks, but you won't regret having them. Good luck

[lynda66]

i'm biased, cos i wanted ones that looked different, so i hatched some crossbred eggs, no idea what the egg production will be like, but really they are just so cute i don't really care ....... though i may get some egg/meat birds later on ....... light sussex are possibly current favourite for this purpose, then i have my pets, and ones that all look the same, so i can eat the boys.

[frias]

Hi Keki and welcome. I took the plunge and started with ex-batts, I've not had experience of any other chickens but wish I had the space as I would love lots more.

Bephlam, you are very naughty! ( I do agree though)

[Bephlam]

Bephlam, you are very naughty! ( I do agree though)

Me???

Noooo....never!!

[Hans Mum]

i've only had my girls a week and am already addicted to them, i havent found it difficult to look after them so far (i work full time) i let them out on a morning and clear any overnight poo from the pirch area and nesting box, feed them and give them clean water, OH gets home from work about 10.30ish to he checks them gives them a treat(This is the man who didnt want chickens) then when i get home from work (about 4.30)theyve put themselves to bed so a quick clean up again and lock them up for the night. I intend to do a complete clean out on a weekend.

[Noodle]

Hi,

I would say if you do want to get your hens before the twins arrive, get absolutley everything sorted a good couple of months before!

If it were me I'd make sure I had a really big run for the amount of girls, so if you can't let them free range (if you're too busy with babies) it doesn't matter, and probably get an automatic pop hole opener as you will soon be keeping very odd hours! It will take the worry out of it, if you can't make it out until later in the day, the hens will be let out and if you can't close them in at dusk, you can be assured they are safe.

I hope you do get hens, whenever you feel ready, they are lovely and grea for kids! My nephew who is 10 months loves to watch them!

[keki]

hi all

thanks for all your replies

kerry x