Ive acquired some garden space........

[Millie]

And would like to start off with chickens, for laying and table. What breed should I go for? Anything I need to know? Im going to follow a few of the links I found in the other threads too. Thinking of ducks also

Oh, and hubby wants bigger livestock, like pigs, so any info on that would be good too!

[Wombat]

Well Millie, I like Rhode Island Reds - A dual purpose breed!

Nev

[Boots]

Yep - agree with Nev.

[ina]

If you ask 20 people which breed they'd recommend, you'd probably get at least 15 different replies... But a dual purpose one is always good. They may not be champion layers, but at least they'll have a bit of meat on the carcass.

And pigs - I think you'll have to ask the pig specialist Stonehead on that one!

[glenniedragon]

I'm predictable I'm afraid, I'm always waving the Light sussex banner! they are a dual purpose breed, friendly, sociable and big enough to make rubbish flyers so you don't need to change your garden into Fort Knox. They are persistant diggers though so you do have to keep them out of your precious seedlings!
That's my tuppence worth

kind thoughts
Deb

[danchamp]

I'm with Deb - Light Sussex for dual-purpose.

As for pigs, we've always had Tamworths and despite living up to their reputation for being 'boisterous' they're great characters and produce excellent meat. And again they're dual-purpose, good for bacon and pork.

Dan

[ina]

And again they're dual-purpose, good for bacon and pork.

From my point of view (as a vegetarian), that's single purpose - all meat! Now, if we could get a woolly dairy pig, that also lays eggs...

Wouldn't mind one as a pet, though; they are great characters. Somebody else would have to do the eating.