Any suggestions for which breeds of chickens i should hatch?

[JoeyOsborne]

hi everybody, i'm new to byc so i'm not sure on how this whole thing works yet but i think i'm posting this in the correct forum, anyhow iv'e had chickens before but i had to get rid of them due to family reasons but now i'm looking to get them again i already have three pullets which have just started to lay now but i'm curious on which breeds i should hatch in my incubator and i'm looking for some good looking breeds which are relatively good layers and all round good chickens, i will be keeping them most likely in sets of 6 of each breed as i am not one who likes cross breeds and would rather keep everything pure and the chickens happy so i will be looking forward to which breeds everybody suggests, thank you

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[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Australorps are excellent layers and very mellow. Probably my favorite for production and a lack of fussiness.

I also love my EEs personality wise but they are less than impressive for reliable laying. They were great for two years but recently took a six month break from laying.

 

[noahsmom]

Welcome to BYC!
I'm new to chickens myself, but what are you wanting out of your chickens?
Meat? Eggs? to sell and breed? show? Do you want a friendlier breed? Standard size or a smaller bantam size?

I chose Heritage rhode island red chickens, I chose Heritage instead of hatchery style chickens because I wanted true pure Rhode Island reds because I want nice looking chickens, with the real look of the breed. I also chose Silkies, they are the fluffy pretty bantam chickens. I chose these because of there beauty for one and just because I know they are a breed of chicken that is for the most part calm and very friendly chickens. I have a 5year old, so friendly is key here for my family.

I want chickens for there eggs and company, we will not be eating our chickens. I also may have a breeder pen or two later on and breed, and sell hatching eggs or chicks. But right now we just want some backyard chickens to enjoy and to have there eggs. I have 26eggs in the incubator right now, all Heritage Rhode island reds and Silkies!

It all comes down to what expectations you have for your chickens, then I think others can help you with breeds!

 

[JoeyOsborne]

thank you very much for the replies! i already have assorted colours of silkies which were bred from a broody and were keeping these for the looks of the bird and also they will be used as broody mothers for other eggs as i don't want the 'broody' genes in my other chickens to be bred completly out of them but unfortunately broody chickens don't go all year around so incubators will have to do for the rest, silkies are the only bantams i keep as i would rather large foul, i just would like suggestions on a good egg layer (doesn't have to be amazing just around average) also something which looks good and has a good weight to them! i also sell hatching eggs so i want some breeds which are pure and some which have varietys of colours, i have had alot of experience with chickens before just i would like to expand on only the 12 we have now and are hoping to get bigger and bigger!
sorry for all the text, but now i hope you have a better idea on some breeds i may like, thanks again!

 

[JoeyOsborne]

adding to that could you please say what conditions the chicken is used to(hardy/not hardy) so if it comes to it i can give them the best housing conditions for there liking and also just because im curious on other breeds other than what i know!

 

[jenifern]

Breeds that I like are: Wyandotte, Cochin(this breed can go broody though), Australorp, Jersey Giant, Orpingtons, Welsummers. All are hardy, beautiful and good egg layers in my opinion. Unless you want some serious egg producers then go with the leghorns or ISA browns in that case.

 

[JoeyOsborne]

Thanks alot, i will definatelly do some further research on some of these breeds and will see where that goes! i'm already a big fan of the wyandotte's and orpingtons too!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I loved, loved, loved my blue laced red Wyandottes. Their colors were gorgeous and they were pretty good layers. They're also big meaty birds. They tolerated the heat and cold my area dishes out.
My Orpingtons were also great birds, and produced very well when they would lay. They went broody alot.
The Speckled Sussex is another favorite of mine. They have beautiful plumage, are nice hearty birds and lay well too.
I really could go on, I haven't really met a breed I don't like. Feathersite is a great website for someone who doesn't know which breed they're wanting. It shows each breed, their characteristics, how hardy they are, what color eggs they give and how well they lay

 

[JoeyOsborne]

Thanks alot but ive already had them before and loved them well exept blue laced wyandottes but ive had silver laced so i suppose there the same sorry i should have made a list of the birds ive had before (but it would take to long plus i love about 95% of breeds which i have had) ill check out that website and see whats there, thanks again! im just not sure if there are any other decent chickens which i havent had but thats why ive made the thread

 

[jenifern]

Thanks alot but ive already had them before and loved them well exept blue laced wyandottes but ive had silver laced so i suppose there the same sorry i should have made a list of the birds ive had before (but it would take to long plus i love about 95% of breeds which i have had) ill check out that website and see whats there, thanks again! im just not sure if there are any other decent chickens which i havent had but thats why ive made the thread

I see you are in the UK, so you probably have some breeds there that are more common or easier to find than over here in North America. I am just getting into the French Copper Marans, have you had those before? I have also seen a lot of people interested in the Coronation Sussex.