Best breed considering 3 factors; eggs, meat, and cold hardiness

[wvchics]

I live in WV and I have buff orpingtons. Even with sub zero temperatures this year my chickens are all doing well. When it gets really cold they just hang out in the coop. I get about an egg a day from each of my girls, and they are all decent size.

 

[Beer can]

I might be a little biased, but I say naked necks fit the bill for for dual purpose, great meat, great egg laying, and super hardy in hot and cold.
I like the Jersey Giant's also for meat and eggs.
You mentioned RIR's, I haven't had them in some yrs but they were great.
If I was to add another breed, I really like the looks and what I've heard of the German New Hampshire's, they are basically originally a 'improved' RIR.
Eight Acres farm in Florida sells some nice one's, sure do look meaty.

 

[dudefromtampa]

Pish posh. I currently have two partridge hens and I get at least one egg from them every day. You'll probably see a lot of "lineage bias" on some sites, where the Partridge variety is denounced as "not a real Chantecler" because they don't come from the first whites bred by brother Wilfred. It's unfortunate because the Partridge birds are quite lovely to be around and look at.

I would say I have had good luck with them. I've rather fallen in love and can't imagine not having them.

You can keep pretty much every breed, then, without much regard to their hardiness. I own Leghorn hens too, and they don't start losing tips until it's very cold, as in below 0F highs.

Dominiques are a good breed too. I have one dom cockerel right now and I'm pretty impressed with how well he takes the cold.

Thank you for your reply. I feel a little more educated on these birds now.

 

[BantyChooks]

Thank you for your reply. I feel a little more educated on these birds now.

Check out their breed review page on BYC too. It has some more information on their breeding in it.

 

[dudefromtampa]

I live in WV and I have buff orpingtons. Even with sub zero temperatures this year my chickens are all doing well. When it gets really cold they just hang out in the coop. I get about an egg a day from each of my girls, and they are all decent size.

Thank you for your reply. Buffs are on my list that has narrowed.

 

[wleigh1021]

I looked for DP with the same traits and landed on the Delaware. I ordered hatching eggs and all are developing now. From my research stock from good breeders will grow quickly (harvestable at 14 weeks for fryers), good lay rates, young POL, good temperament, good winter layers.

 

[dudefromtampa]

I might be a little biased, but I say naked necks fit the bill for for dual purpose, great meat, great egg laying, and super hardy in hot and cold.
I like the Jersey Giant's also for meat and eggs.
You mentioned RIR's, I haven't had them in some yrs but they were great.
If I was to add another breed, I really like the looks and what I've heard of the German New Hampshire's, they are basically originally a 'improved' RIR.
Eight Acres farm in Florida sells some nice one's, sure do look meaty.

Gotta admit that's the first time i have heard of Naked Necks but googled them. Interesting bird.

Looked at NJ Giants. They are on the short list of birds I'm considering. Have to make up my mind soon. I think the only con I found with the NJ Giant is that the feed to meat conversion wasn't great but since I plan on free ranging them at least half the year, that's not a major obstacle.

I'm a SE Pennsylvania transplant. Originally from outside of Tampa.

 

[dudefromtampa]

I looked for DP with the same traits and landed on the Delaware. I ordered hatching eggs and all are developing now. From my research stock from good breeders will grow quickly (harvestable at 14 weeks for fryers), good lay rates, young POL, good temperament, good winter layers.

14 weeks havesting is good to know. Dual Purpose also. Thanks for your reply.

 

[dudefromtampa]

Check out their breed review page on BYC too. It has some more information on their breeding in it.

Thanks. Definitely will.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

I did my research this past fall when I started keeping chickens. I settled on Wyandottes, GLW's to be specific for the 3 reasons you listed - Cold Hardy, Dual Purpose, good temperament. I have 6 pullets that reside with my Easter Egger Cockerel and Pullet that are a few months older. The Wyandottes swarm around my feet when I enter to feed them, and are docile birds - definitely not aggressive in the least. They have been a joy to date. I average 4 eggs a day from the 6 birds, and the youngest pullet hasn't come to POL yet. They have survived this brutal winter weather of -20's F without a hint of frostbite or other problem due to the cold. They are a bit slower to mature than other breeds, but are reported to be delicious to eat.