Breeds and Types of Hens & Chickens

As a beginner, what breed or type of hen should I buy?
Each breeder/supplier will have their answer to this question. So this has to be my own personal answer…..

A recognised proven layer.
A healthy bird
A family/child friendly bird…….and from a recommended breeder/supplier. There is more, but this is where to start.

That’s fine….so what breed or type of hen should I buy?
If you are new to poultry, I suggest you start with, “good quality hybrid poultry”. There are many Hybrid hens. And if sourced properly all types will be of a generally high standard and quality, and certainly have the three main attributes mentioned above, as well as other qualities, which does make them the ideal “beginners’ bird”

Are you saying this because you sell hybrid layers?
No, because we also sell traditional and rare breeds. But we do give a brief history of their breeding and development and list what we feel are the advantages of hybrid/utility egg laying hens in our website under “hybrid poultry” and “our poultry range”

Why should I not start with traditional farm poultry?
(This may be a sensitive area). What I have said above is my own personal belief if you are new to poultry. (If you read some of our own customer comments on this website…..and these are only a few…. you will note all the customers, who bought hybrids as a first choice are delighted with them)….Unless you know the breeders, or they come recommended, “traditional poultry) can sometimes mean anything.

Rare breeds…what about them? Would it not be good to start with something special?
(This might be another sensitive and controversial area)……..I think rare breeds were not always “rare breeds”. They became rare (unpopular), because they did not lay large eggs consistently or in high enough numbers, did not retain good health, prone to illness and disease and probably had a short egg laying life…….and in my experience this can still be an issue.

....link to.....FAQ......eggs (various).