Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:28 pm Post subject: Hens
I need another couple POL and as there are no Black rocks available at the moment I've decided to go for either gold silkies or light sussexes from here. http://www.poultrybyak.co.uk/home.htm This is the nearest place I've been able to find, there doesn't seem to be much around my area at all.
I want hens that lay but are docile, look nice and make good broodies if needed.
For broodies you need the silkies rather than light sussex but the LS are really good layers and docile. Both are nice to look at but very different so can't vote as there are different reasons for each. Sorry.....
an old neighbour always kept Sussex and said the eggs where fabulous, she would not have any other for layers!
As TGM said Silkies are good for brooding but I belive any bantam is so why not get a mixture if you have the space??? _________________ "If we reduce the amount of stuff we allow to accumulate in our lives, we won't have to organise it"
Elaine St James from her book 'Simplicity'
Hmmm, the Sussex sounds the way to go for the moment then. I don't want too many, we do don't use tons of eggs. I'm not a natural hen handler and have a bit of a phobia about feathers (childhood budgie and hen trauma!). Any picking up has to be done by Coco, she does lots of when I've tried to catch any, one flap of the wings and I'm a gonner. However, I do love watching them, they all have different characters and perhaps a Silkie might get me over my phobia. £25 for a silkie, £20 for a sussex so not cheap for buying a few and it's a good drive away.
I'm not usually such a dither honestly....................
Silkies go broody 'at the drop of a hat' and might need extra warmth in Scotland during the winter months.
They are pretty little things though. But if you don't really need a broody hen, then its a lot of money to pay as you get far fewer eggs from them
I have had large hens and bantams - and much prefer bantams. The do far far less damage to the garden, in fact hardly any at all - the only thing mine do occasionally is scratch up some of the gravel in my paths - but not often and not much. Bantams are smaller so not so 'scary' if you have a bit of a phobia. Much easier to handle, and I find that their feathers are softer - more like fur - not hard and scratchy. The have smaller legs and tiny feet so no 'risk' of getting scratched if they wriggle when you handle them.
They are so much easier to pick up because of their size, and much lighter too.
Looking forward to seeing what you decide upon.
Are there no local breeders or hen keepers near you? Have you looked or asked on the Practical Poultry Site?
I am not voting, because I love bantams. You can have two bantams to one large hen in the same space. They make less mess, little poos that seem to disappear, and their eggs are a perfect size for eating and just as tasty and golden as the large ones. In fact their yolks are larger in proportion I find. Two eggs equal a very large chicken egg in cooking terms. _________________ Lottie the Allotment Lady
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Join! (free) 
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
However, I do love watching them, they all have different characters and perhaps a Silkie might get me over my phobia. £25 for a silkie, £20 for a sussex so not cheap for buying a few and it's a good drive away.
