Advice on new addition to flock-breed choice

[Kelly FG]

So I have a couple of girls that are very determined Broody's & I decided this spring as soon as they get the broody bug I'll put a couple of fertile eggs under them.
I live in a pretty suburban area & my flock currently consists of 7 standard hens
2 EEs
2 buff orps
1 Black australorp
1 Barred Rock
1 Red sexlink

All of my girls are pets & they are very docile, not too noisy & they get along pretty well with each other.
I'm not really interested in white eggs & the temperment & beauty of the bird is more important to me than egg production. I think having a rare breed would be cool.
A breed that lays very dark brown eggs would be neat too. We have semi-rough winters here & very hot summers at times so only breeds that can tolerate both would be considered.
If I end up with all roos from this hatch I'll need to adopt them out, if I get only one roo I'm going to consider keeping him.

So those of you with multi breed flocks & those that have intergrated younger birds later, what would be your suggestion?
And also I'm thinking about having her set on 3 eggs, do you think that is a good mumber considering I'm not look to increase my flock size too much?
Any input is greatly appreciated!
Kelly

 

[mdbucks]

My sudjestion would be to get Buckeyes, They are a rare and heritage breed.

Maybe get a roo now so you will have fertile eggs if/when your hens get broady.

 

[speckledhen]

But don't Buckeye roos 'roar', Dennis? Not sure that's what Kelly is looking for, LOL, but I would get one if I was going to do Buckeyes. Handsome boys those are! Maybe a Welsummer would be a good choice. Mothergoose (Christie) has them and they lay really dark eggs.

 

[mdbucks]

Quote:
Yeah they can be loud, not as obnoxiuos as constant crowing. It was actually a two part statement that if she wants to get fertile eggs maybe get a roo,( and now that you mention it a Buckeye roo would be a good choice) now so that if hen goes broody she will have them at the ready.

 

[speckledhen]

As a heritage breed, I agree, that would be one of my choices. At first, I didn't care for their looks, then I realized that it was the very small comb and wattles I wasn't used to and also it dawned on me that they really have similar heads to my Buff Brahma girl. I don't see many people raising them today.

 

[HenHaven]

I have a mixed flock of girls too, Kelly. I have added and subtracted several along the way. I loved my Speckled Sussex and Welsummers.

The SS are so colorful. Mahogany with black and white speckles. They really add something to the look of the flock. They also are good winter layers. Egg color is a light brown.

The best feature of the Welsummers, in my opinion, is the beautiful, dark brown eggs with speckles. They tolerate cold and heat very well. They will usually stop laying for about 2 months in the winter.

I THINK roosters of both breeds are supposed to be pretty mild-mannered, but that really varies with the roo. I heard somewhere that Welsummer roos make good fathers. Welsummer hens aren't overly broody either.

Let us know what you decide!