Anyone want to help us choose a few new chicks???

[SeaChick]

We can only have 6 chickens, so ultimately we'll only get to keep 2 of the new chicks we get (we're replacing the 2 girls we adopted last fall since one of them is super bossy and aggressive and we feel we should introduce 2 new ones rather than 1 if we do this.) But we figure we'll get 3 or 4 chicks to cover the roo-possibility issue, and then just keep our 2 favorites.

here are the criteria:
Bears confinement well
Friendly, docile, non-aggressive
Lays lots of eggs
Prefer rare/unusual or heritage breed
Standard-size chicken
Pretty to look at
Interesting colored eggs a plus!!

Here's what we're considering:
Easter Egger/ Ameraucana (hatchery) since we love the blue eggs of the girl we'll be losing.
Partridge Rock
Gold Laced Wyandotte
Buff Orpington
Rhode Island Red
Welsumer

What the local feed stores can order will matter here, so probably nothing TOO rare/unusual.

WE'll have already: Black Australorp (

), SLW, Barred Rock, Cinnamon Queen.

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

SeaChick, you need to live in Wellfleet, have a Wellcraft boat and raise Welsummer chickens.

Seriously, I think EE's would be cutest for your projects. Who can resist the exotic markings and neato egg color?

Have fun choosing.

 

[elliemb]

I like all your options!! How can we choose just six??!! I guess if I had to limit my birds I would choose based on the colour of both the egg and the bird. So maybe I would like blue, brown, and white eggs, and buff, black, and white birds!!

 

[Frozen Feathers]

I would say EE's as well.

I think Wyandottes are pretty, too, but I haven't much luck in the attitude department with them.

Have you considered standard Cochins?? I am going to try some this year.

 

[hsm5grls]

oh oh partridge rocks those are my favs. They are friendly and love attention, they have pretty feathers...I just love them.

 

[Buster]

For some reason, my partridge rocks are the most skittish in the coop. No one else seem to have that problem with them. However, they do lay well and they are nice to look at.

 

[SeaChick]

Thanks guys! Keep the suggestions coming! I am thinking I will get 3 or 4... like 2 EEs and one each of 2 other breeds, and then see who we like best as they get older. Angie, do cochins lay well? That's a key consideration for us since can only have 6!

Stacey

 

[Dawn419]

SeaChick,

I had banty Cochins and they wanted to go broody as opposed to egg-laying, just a thing to consider if you want eggs more than you want a broody hen.

Hope this is some help!

Dawn

 

[hooligan]

Welsumer!!!!!
Ameraucana!!!
And while not exotic, they are heritage...Delaware. My girl is just the SWEETEST thing!

 

[SeaChick]

Hooligan,
what are the welsumer's dispositions? how about egg-laying quantities? They lay dark-ish brown eggs, right? that sounds very col if our feed store can order them......
Stacey