Another Cluckin Question ;)

[JazminesZoo]

I am wanting a few pure varietes ~ Criteria: Friendly, size doesn't matter, egg production not that important, egg nutrition & large yolks a must. LUV the darkest yolks possible. Not flighty. (I do luv Jumbo eggs)

Thank you for your time!

 

[bustermommy]

The calmest chickens I have are light sussex from a breeder, not hatchery. Yolk color and nutrition is diet dependent (the hen's diet, that is).

 

[JazminesZoo]

So yolk color is in the nutrition? So what do you feed in nutrition to produce them? Any breeds I should steer clear from?

 

[bustermommy]

The more free ranging, veg scraps, etc. the better. Straight layer feed gets you grocery store yolks.

My EEs are the flightiest I have by far, but others say their EEs are super friendly. I think some of it depends on how you raise them. I don't really pet or hold my chickens, I am more of a sit and watch type.

If you go to mypetchicken.com, they have a breed selector where you can select for not being flighty and it will show you the breeds that are considered not flighty.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Foods high in beta carotene are what give you the orange yolks - spinach, chard, kale, clover, parsley, cantaloupe, etc.

Barred rocks are great birds and lay jumbo sized eggs - and LOTS of them. My EE is super friendly (she will fly up onto my arm for treats) but I have a couple pure Ameraucana's that are flighty as heck. Barnevelders lay a really nice sized egg, are really calm and friendly, but they are prone to broodiness. (not sure if you want that or not)

 

[JazminesZoo]

Thanks soo much for your feedback! I will definately look at the link you provided

 

[Manningjw]

Quote:
Out of our flock our least flighty is probably our Silver Laced Wyandotte, not to mention the best looking. She hasn't started laying yet but should any day. They are supposed to be decent layers of large eggs. Our most friendly bird is probably our Blue Andalusian, but I think that is entirely based on the fact that I took her out quite often and she is used to being held because of that. She's always been our favorite.

People have already provided great answers for your yolk/nutrition discussion. This is pretty much entirely based on their diet rather than breed(from what i have read).