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Post by michwaz on May 18, 2010 9:46:21 GMT 8
Hi there. We are thinking about getting some chooks for our daughter. Mainly wanting them for egg collection in the morning and ones that she can "cuddle" if she wants. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated on which ones are the better ones and where to get a good coop/run or how to build a good one. Any tips or hints? Thanks to everyone who will reply! Michelle
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Post by ikbokchook on May 18, 2010 9:58:43 GMT 8
Hi Michelle! I'm a bit partial to the light sussex as great egg laying birds that are really relaxed! They are quite big though (but I think you can get a bantam version??) I'm pretty sure silkies are REALLY popular pets, and just TOO cute! ;D Don't think they lay very big eggs though! There are a few places around that sell coops, but they're pretty expensive, I think there are a few good threads on here on what people have improvised - have a look around! Hope that helps you a bit - and WELCOME!
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Post by fluffychook on May 18, 2010 14:33:38 GMT 8
Hi Michelle, Silkies are definitely great for pets, they lay really well only trouble is they go broody very quickly so egg production over the year is poor. They are best looked at as pets with the side benefit of the occasionaly egg. Pekin's are another great pet breed they are also small like the silkie and very placid. When my children were little I even had ex battery chooks that they loved to cuddle even if the chooks were not that willing, but they tolerated it. Main draw back with ex battery chooks is they have a short life span, so if you are after pet's maybe not such a good idea. Pekin's are reasonable egg layers too. As for a coop you can use so many things. I use old shed's as this makes cleaning easier than the ones you have to get on hands and knees, especially with all the poop (ewwww). All you need is something that provides shelter from the elements and were you can put their feed and collect eggs. Nesting boxes can be anything that they can sit in. I have one currently laying in an icecream container that I put the shell grit in. I have an old chemical container cut in half with a fake egg in it right next to it, but she just likes her icecream container, tight fit too. I also use an old bookcase on its side. If you would like some pictures I can post some for you as I just took some for toofoul to look at.
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Post by chooklover on May 18, 2010 16:17:10 GMT 8
Hi I think a good breed for you would be a bantam auracana because we have one who loves lots of cuddles she lays every day the eggs are a reasonable size for a bantam and she has never gone broody below are pictures of her and her blue egg next to a jumbo one (ps the eggs are much bigger now, that was her first ever one)
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Post by shea on May 18, 2010 16:31:50 GMT 8
Hi Michelle, I was wondering if you got my email. Welcome!. I have light sussex, black australorps and some bantam pekins. All are cute and you will have trouble choosing. Shea
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Post by quambie on May 18, 2010 18:18:05 GMT 8
HI Michelle Welcome I have light Sussex and love them could be a good start for you Trev
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Post by shea on May 19, 2010 20:16:42 GMT 8
Michelle, have a look on freecycle, you may pick up a chicken coop/rabbit hutch for free.
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Post by beck on May 21, 2010 16:31:37 GMT 8
Hi Michelle and welcome ! WELLLLL i bet now you are thinking oh gee which chook do i choose but iam (sorry gonna pick another breed ) loving the wyandotte they are lovely and very laid back and produce nice big eggs and also the silkie ( just got into them ) soft fluffy and so cute but i have been told they don't lay a heap of eggs but boy do they make up for that in the looks !!best of luck
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Post by lakelands on May 29, 2010 8:25:53 GMT 8
Hi Michelle and Welcome...Can't go past Silkies and Pekins for Kids (they are pretty tough as well) but as the others said the egg production is low and the eggs are small..but if you get 4 or 5 then you should always have a few eggs If you want bigger eggs more often then Wyandottes are very good. the chickens are reasonably big but not huge and these chooks are also very docile.. Sussex and Australorps are also doceile but very big chooks Araucana's do produce more eggs that pekins or silkies and have the novelty of blue/green eggs....but I find araucanas to be very flighty in general and not very good with kids... Good luck with your choices . I am looking forward to finding out what you end up getting
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Post by quambie on May 29, 2010 11:36:48 GMT 8
"find araucanas to be very flighty in general and not very good with kids..."
Hi guys I would have to second that I have them and its hard to get close to them but there great chooks and I love to pick up blue green eggs Trev
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Post by michwaz on May 30, 2010 22:41:30 GMT 8
Thanks for all your messages! We have gone with some Pekin Bantams, Gold Lace Wyandottes and Black Lace Wyandottes! Hopefully they will be good little chicks and be nice to our daughter Looking forward to fresh eggs!!!
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