Foolproof chickens
Discussion
'Bantams' aren't really a breed, they're just a small chicken - there are loads of different breeds of bantams, and you can get bantam versions of conventional large fowl.
Can I ask why you don't want fluffy feet? If it's for mud clogging reasons, then in my limited experience it's not really an issue as long as they don't live in a mudpit.
I'd suggest a heavier breed as they're easier to control (less likely to fly off!) so would agree with Rhode Island Red or Light Sussex. Although our Light Sussex weren't great layers - they were quite old though.
Marans would be a good choice - pretty hardy, some strains have lightly feathered feed, but some don't. Ours wasn't very flighty at all, and had a lovely temprament. Get the right strain and they'll lay nice dark brown eggs as well.
A lot of Hybrids such as Hiline/Goldline/Burford Brown etc would be fine, but can look a bit boring.
Have you thought about ex battery hens? They aren't the prettiest to look at (especially at the start) but are lovely, lovely things. We got some a couple of months ago, and they are the friendliest birds we've ever had. They come rushing over for food, peck at your boots whilst mucking them out, get under your feet whilst you're changing them, and chatter to you incessantly. And on a personal level, it's incredibly rewarding giving a home to something like this:
And watching as they feather up and warm to you
Plus they're great layers, and crap at flying. They need a bit of care in the early days, but after that, they seem perfectly at home
Can I ask why you don't want fluffy feet? If it's for mud clogging reasons, then in my limited experience it's not really an issue as long as they don't live in a mudpit.
I'd suggest a heavier breed as they're easier to control (less likely to fly off!) so would agree with Rhode Island Red or Light Sussex. Although our Light Sussex weren't great layers - they were quite old though.
Marans would be a good choice - pretty hardy, some strains have lightly feathered feed, but some don't. Ours wasn't very flighty at all, and had a lovely temprament. Get the right strain and they'll lay nice dark brown eggs as well.
A lot of Hybrids such as Hiline/Goldline/Burford Brown etc would be fine, but can look a bit boring.
Have you thought about ex battery hens? They aren't the prettiest to look at (especially at the start) but are lovely, lovely things. We got some a couple of months ago, and they are the friendliest birds we've ever had. They come rushing over for food, peck at your boots whilst mucking them out, get under your feet whilst you're changing them, and chatter to you incessantly. And on a personal level, it's incredibly rewarding giving a home to something like this:
And watching as they feather up and warm to you
Plus they're great layers, and crap at flying. They need a bit of care in the early days, but after that, they seem perfectly at home
Space is a bit of a sensitive subject - my personal view is 'loads'. I'd never keep hens in a small run. We have a small flock (most we've ever had is 9) in a roughly 15mx5m 'run' on grass amongst trees.
Ultimately there are hens to fit most circumstances, but the thought of putting them in a small, say, 1mx3m run is, to me, not right. I'm a staunch lefty hippy though.
Another consideration is noise - we are lucky in that our run is quite a way away from most of the neighbours, and those that it is near like the noise (and we placate them with free eggs!) It's a bit of a common misconception that only cockerels are noisy - many hens can make a right racket - we've had a few that rather smugly declare when they've just laid an egg to the whole world for about 5 minutes!
Some hens will lay around 5 or 6 eggs a week, these are usually hybrids that are bred for the purpose
Ultimately there are hens to fit most circumstances, but the thought of putting them in a small, say, 1mx3m run is, to me, not right. I'm a staunch lefty hippy though.
Another consideration is noise - we are lucky in that our run is quite a way away from most of the neighbours, and those that it is near like the noise (and we placate them with free eggs!) It's a bit of a common misconception that only cockerels are noisy - many hens can make a right racket - we've had a few that rather smugly declare when they've just laid an egg to the whole world for about 5 minutes!
Some hens will lay around 5 or 6 eggs a week, these are usually hybrids that are bred for the purpose
This is a useful forum.
https://www.thepoultrykeeper.club/
Dependent on where you live, you can let the chickens free range all day. I live in a seaside estate in a small village, in a mid terrace cottage with a narrow but fairly long garden. I had an aviary built on the side of the house. I keep 12 chickens (9 bantams and 3 Brahmas) and 2 ducks. I let the birds free range the garden all day and lock them away at night.
https://www.thepoultrykeeper.club/
Dependent on where you live, you can let the chickens free range all day. I live in a seaside estate in a small village, in a mid terrace cottage with a narrow but fairly long garden. I had an aviary built on the side of the house. I keep 12 chickens (9 bantams and 3 Brahmas) and 2 ducks. I let the birds free range the garden all day and lock them away at night.
Edited by S6 Devil on Saturday 6th December 17:28
FD3Si said:
Have you thought about ex battery hens? They aren't the prettiest to look at (especially at the start) but are lovely, lovely things. We got some a couple of months ago, and they are the friendliest birds we've ever had. They come rushing over for food, peck at your boots whilst mucking them out, get under your feet whilst you're changing them, and chatter to you incessantly. And on a personal level, it's incredibly rewarding giving a home to something like this:
And watching as they feather up and warm to you
Plus they're great layers, and crap at flying. They need a bit of care in the early days, but after that, they seem perfectly at home
And watching as they feather up and warm to you
Plus they're great layers, and crap at flying. They need a bit of care in the early days, but after that, they seem perfectly at home
We've had three ex-batts for just over a year. They're utterly fabulous little things.
Have a look here
http://www.backyardchickens.com/products/category/...
But give some real thought to ex battery hens.......and predators
http://www.backyardchickens.com/products/category/...
But give some real thought to ex battery hens.......and predators
THanks for the all the replies. We just moved so BT decided the best way to help with the stress of that was to not bother processing our request, so no broadband for last 2.5 weeks, hence the delay.
The 'no fluffy feet' is about the cloggage factor and also I've read that these are more prone to mites. I also think they look a bit odd, but that's maybe something I'd get used to.
Lots of food for thought above though - thanks again!
The 'no fluffy feet' is about the cloggage factor and also I've read that these are more prone to mites. I also think they look a bit odd, but that's maybe something I'd get used to.
Lots of food for thought above though - thanks again!
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff