The good wife has managed to gain access to 8 acres of land on which to stable our horse.The horse is currently up for sale but when sold, my daughters can ride one of the other horses there which belongs to the landowner in exchange for mucking out etc.
Now for the good bit, the land has a large ready built unused hen hutch there and the wife and her friend (landowner) are going to go halfs on getting chickens. There is also talk about turning some of the land over to growing veggies! The land has a stream running through it for water and lots of trees.
Now for once she has done something that will (probably) save us money
but want I really want to know is, which breed of chickens are the best layers and easiest to look after?
Leghorns are "flighty" and perhaps not best for beginners.
Purebreds may lay less over a year than a hybrid does, but they generally lay more consistently year after year. Hybrids lay a lot for the first year or two but they tail off considerably.
You need to consider your weather and the terrain. Birds with lots of fluffiness aren't great for very muddy wet ground for example.
We've had several types. I've enjoyed all of them. Our Marans are good birds, not too nervous and are good layers.
Warrens, Columbian black tails, loads others amongst the hybrids have all been good.
Although I said Leghorns were flighty, I have to say that my oldest Leghorn has survived several fox attacks when others haven't so it's not entirely a bad trait.
I am currently restocking with my favourites. Warrens-or ISA Browns,Rangers,all the same breed. I have had'em all,purebred,rarebred. But it still comes back to the bog standard brown egg laying machine.
A lot of folks buy ex battery hens. I wouldn't advise it. Why do you think the factory is getting rid? Sure they are cheap,but if you are feeding it,it may as well yield a good return.
In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: It goes on.
Robert Frost.
Covid 19: After that level of weirdness ,any situation is certainly possible.
Grunter wrote:Thanks for the replies. I'll get the better half to read this, then she can make the decision re which breed to get and I'll be blameless
That applies to most decisions!
Old boy said to me years ago;"Boy,we are all married to the same Woman-they just have different names".
In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: It goes on.
Robert Frost.
Covid 19: After that level of weirdness ,any situation is certainly possible.
Grunter wrote:Thanks for the replies. I'll get the better half to read this, then she can make the decision re which breed to get and I'll be blameless
That applies to most decisions!
Old boy said to me years ago;"Boy,we are all married to the same Woman-they just have different names".
I wouldn't get ex-batts either. I asked around for the breed that could stand bad weather and got told Black Rocks. Mine are doing fine and good layers.
