which hen

[The Grock in the Frock]

our A.G.M is coming up soon and a few of us are trying to get a livestock vote passed for chickens,so just incase we are aloud to have them,i was wondering which chickens are the bets for laying,eating,good with children and good to handle,can anyone advise please.

[John]

Hello Grock
I would suggest some Black Rocks. They have a superb glossy black plumage with a green tinge - its very thick and will keep them cosy even in the worst of the winter weather. They are excellent layers, placid, don't go broody and are not prone to chicken-type diseases.

If you choose these do make sure that you get genuine Black Rocks - they all come from a particular hatchery and are available from certain dealers. Beware of poor quality imitations that some breeders try to pass off as black rocks.

John

PS Good luck with your AGM. If you do agree to allow hens I would suggest that the committee lay down some hard and fast rules about what is OK and what isn't so that everyone knows where they stand. I'd certainly say no male birds and place a limit on the number of hens allowed for starters.

[alan refail]

Hi Grock

If a hen's good for laying, it's as well not to eat it

If you want good layers, go for a hardy hybrid such as Black Rocks - there are plenty of others if you do a search on chicken sites such as:

http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/index.php

I still have a few Black Rocks I bought years ago - they don't lay anymore, but I wouldn't fancy eating them. They're what we round here call "Pensioneers" and are living out their retirement.

Alan

[The Grock in the Frock]

arrh!thanks for info guys,but why arnt the birds any good for eating?although im being rather brave at the moment,but i guess i wont have the heart to kill them after looking after them

[alan refail]

Grock

They're fine for eating, but you want the eggs, and when they've laid their eggs for three years - they're tough. Hence the phrase "Old Boiler"

[The Grock in the Frock]

oh god i didnt know,now i know why me fella calls me that,cheeky bugger

[John]

Hello again Grock
If you want to raise chickens for meat then you need another hybrid type bird called Ross Cobb. These are rapid growing white hens that put on a large amount of breast meat - in fact they are the ones that are sold neatly wrapped in cling film in the supermarkets.
Its difficult to run egg-laying and meat-type hens together as they require different food. Layers have 'layers' feed and meat hens are younger birds that are intensively fed a 'growers' type of ration.
There are some traditional breeds though like the Sussex that are dual purpose.

I have a small mixed flock of layers and did think about getting some birds for meat once. But on second thoughts - separate run, different feed, finally dispatching then plucking and cleaning the body - it just seemed like too much hassle.

John

[The Grock in the Frock]

right john,now i see what you mean,so it looks like just layers,thanks for your help

[RAREBREDCHICK]

Why is everyone trying to get you onto Black Rock layers - They are a hybrid, designed to lay as many eggs as possible. I have nothing against them, I used to have a mixed flock of Black Rocks & Speckaledys. But they are not as tough as the traditional breeds.

IF YOU WANT CHICKENS FOR EGGS AND EATING - You need a UTILITY BREED such as the Sussex Large Fowl Breeds.

Eating only White Sussex.

Light Sussex x Rhode Island Red Give VERY good eating cockerals and laying hens, if you want cross bred. But, my advise to you is to go for Light Sussex Large Fowl, make sure it is from a Utility (not show) strain. Any more info on the breed, please do not hesitate to PM me, I would be happy to help.

NB I have nothing against Black Rocks or hybrids, but the question was Chickens for eggs and EATING !!

[Johnboy]

Hi RBC,
I no longer have any poultry but used to keep and breed Marans. Maran cockerels make good eating and the eggs from the Hens are of superb size and quality.
JB.

[The Grock in the Frock]

Thanks for all the info guys