Pros: beautiful birds, large eggs
We got these birds as chicks and raised them in a cold mountain environment. They take the cold well, but their molting period is a little longer than desired (up to 2 months). They are beautiful, colorful birds that give us large blue-green eggs. However, we usually have to go to the coop several times a day (usually every couple of hours) because they love to eat the eggs!
This has been a difficult obstacle for a family that works most days, so our next round will be a different breed.
There is a thread on this forum with instructions for making a roll out nest box. The thread starter has plans for sale. I converted my nest box to a roll out system and yesterday found a soft shelled egg in there! Mine would have eaten it if they could get to it.
My Barred Plymouth rocks are clumsy and do break eggs often.