Which Breed Of Chicken ?

[robadoo 212]

Hi folks , I've just got an allotment and hope to get some chickens to supply us with eggs .

Now I know nothing about chickens , so what would be the best breed to get for laying ,and taste wise Cheers , robo.

[shamo_uk 15]

Hybrids like the Goldlines or similar are great layers around 320 eggs a year.

[forest of dean redneck 11,190]

If you want to eat them as well,you either want to get a dual purpose breed like Sussex or ixworth or run 2 types like hybrid egg layers and meat birds,

It can get over whelming and confusing as lots of breeds and crosses out there.

[Frontbum 76]

I used to keep chucks if I did it again I would get different breeds as you can tell who Is laying [BANNED TEXT], ie Crème Leg Bar lay blue egg,White star and leghorn lay a white egg etc.

But when you buy your birds get them in one purchase as if you add birds to a flock its murder

[potpoacher 27]

get a good strain of light sussex. if you just want them for eggs don't worry too much about looks. I say this because I have bred my own strain of sussex and when you use nicer looking birds you sometimes lose out on the egg laying ability. I hope to be bringing proper standards of colouring into my strain as I have found a show strain which also has high production levels.

another breed worth looking at is cuckoo marans, they can be temperamental and they begin to lay later than some other breeds. if you want to breed marans look at the combs on them as you want them to be straight, not crooked. my hens have crooked combs but the cockerels are comb and colour perfect. the hens are now laying well and I generally get large eggs from them even when they are young, which makes u for lower numbers of eggs. also look for as dark an egg as possible. hope this helps.

[topscaff1 13]

If you want them just for eggs you wont beat Black rocks, it just depends what you want them for.

[robadoo 212]

thanks for replies lads ,another question , does what you feed them have an affect on the quality of egg they produce , and what sort of feed is the best .Also, i know it might sound dumb ,but do all breeds get on together .cheers lads.

[shamo_uk 15]

Go for a good quality layers pellet

[r judd 13]

white stars will outlay most and longer layin span good quality layers sashios brilliant free range meat birds

[Mr Wilkes 2,915]

Wheat......

[potpoacher 27]

layers pellets. allen and page are normally good for price and quality. they can also be given wheat, but not too much as it doesn't give a good mix of proteins.

[robadoo 212]

Cheers lads , think I'm going to go with a couple of light Sussex , 2 black rocks and , and burford browns if poss .