Hi from the U.K

[Ravendale]

That sounds like classic marketing pimping for birds otherwise known as backyard mutts! I think they saw you coming As you may have guessed, the term is completely new to me, and it def isn't a 'breed'.

Yes, especially since there are a lot of commercial outfits in Lincs region and you get more protection zone declarations than we do. See https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england btw to stay informed on that.

I would get the best recognized breed birds you can find locally. People who will (knowingly or unknowingly) sell you a mixed breed as a recognized breed are also liable to sell you a diseased bird as a healthy one.

I’ve no doubt they are ‘mutts’ but as yet I’ve not approached or reached out to anyone selling these so they’ve not seen me coming (and I’m no ninja ).

So fairly locally I’ve also seen someone who has Ross Lohmans, Bluebells speckled and Bovan Nera - also mentions pullers… I don’t know all the breeds but what do you think of those as an option? I am not knowledgeable but I know, from being a breeder of show hamsters myself (yes, it’s a thing ) I would rather buy breeder bred rather than the equivalent of a pets at home hamster . Thanks for the info and the links, and apologies for being clueless!

 

[Bsmac]

I am definitely likely to become a mathematician I do intend to keep myself in check as much as possible though

Good luck!! I hope you do better at it than me!

 

[Perris]

Ross Lohmans, Bluebells speckled and Bovan Nera - also mentions pullers… I don’t know all the breeds but what do you think of those as an option?

The first sounds like a hybrid between a Ross, which is a commercial / industrial meat bird, and a Lohman, which is a commercial / industrial layer. So the seller is aiming at a utility bird using modern industrial stock. If a utility bird is what you want, I'd go with a traditional / heritage one such as your local Lincolnshire Buff. Modern breeds have been bred for maximum production in a short life on commercial feed (6 week life span for meaties, 2 years tops for layers) and most backyard keepers want birds that are healthy for longer than that. Traditional chicken breeds can live to 10 or thereabouts. I have 8 year olds still laying scores of eggs a year.

Bluebell speckled must be another cross between I've no idea what, but again it's not a proper breed. Probably lays a blue egg (hence marketing name Bluebell), possibly speckled (ditto). If you want a blue layer, the common recognized breeds in the UK are Araucana and Cream Legbar (with or without crest), less common Shetland. Few have really blue eggs, and some have been so poorly bred that they lay tinted, tan or brown rather than blue or green. If you go that route, be sure to see the eggs, not just the birds, to avoid disappointment.

The Bovan is another industrial layer breed. I have no idea what the Nera might indicate.

A pullet is a female chicken under a year old. Technically they only become hens when they reach 1 year old.

 

[kattabelly]

So fairly locally I’ve also seen someone who has Ross Lohmans, Bluebells speckled and Bovan Nera

Those are mostly high production hybrids (not sure about the bluebells). You'll get a lot of eggs the couple of years but they'll quite likely be prone to reproductive issues after that and not especially long-lived.

 

[Ravendale]

Thank you so much! @kattabelly and @Perris After lots of searching I think I found a breeder who exhibits and breeds to standard. You’re right, I don’t want something that has been bred for productivity as tge main concern, health and personality matters much more to us. The breeder mentions Lincolnshire Buffs, Brahma, Orpington’s, Sussex and Cream Legbars and maybe more I didn’t notice. Also gives details of history and background and shows him exhibiting. I’ve tried to contact them. So sorry for being demanding! Can’t guarantee I will stop though, so thank you for your patience! I’m now going to research the breeds.

 

[Perris]

no apologies necessary; sounds like you've found the right sort of supplier.

A couple of things you may or may not want to factor in to your breed choices during your research.

Some breeds have feathered legs. Clean legs are easier to keep healthy; feathered legs are prone to issues with parasites and ingrowing feathers, not to mention carrying a lot of filth around with them.

Size. There is a big range within 'Large fowl'. The Brahma is much bigger than the Cream Legbar, for example. This could have an impact on your ideal coop.

Size of egg laid does not correlate with size of breed, so if you have a preference for large, medium or small eggs, take note of that breed characteristic too. Also some lay more than others.

Happy hunting for the perfect breed(s) for you!