adding to a flock

[jlynne8285]

I am looking to add a number of hens to my flock this fall. My chickens are getting old and not laying much. maybe 10 eggs a week from 17 hens. I am shuffling between breeds. I want only one breed that lays well, doesn't eat much, tolerates confinement but can free range if need be. Would like to use for meat should things get tough but will not be primary purpose. It needs to be able to stand southwest ky climate. cold wet winters and hot dry summers and be a chicken that people will want to buy as started pullets or chicks as I will be hatching my own eventually. The ones I was thinking about are Sussex, Delaware, Favrollers, houdans or EEs. Which do you think would be best for a small backyard flock of 20 or so and why?

 

[Angiebubs]

I have a Sussex, several EErs and Faverolles. SUssex is a very relaxed inquisitive breed and good layer. EErs have the quirkiest personalities ever and grreat layers of beautiful blue-green eggs, and faverolles are gentle funny (again very quirky personalities) and can handle confinement very well. All three have made it thru the cold midwest winters. I don't raise meat birds but Faverolles are known for being a great meat bird. Hope this helps!

 

[jlynne8285]

thanks, I have a bantam ee called crow. she is awesome. I'm just not sure about standard size. I had a standard ee rooster and he was a pain in the butt. I have heard mixed reviews about the favollers. Some say they are good layers, others that they are not. The same for the houdan. I also wander if ee and favollers are as marketable as well known breeds like as the Sussex and Delaware?

 

[chicklover1828]

does anybody know what breed these are i thought they were banties.