Best Breed For Color, Dual Purpose, And...

[Welshies]

What is the best breed to add to my flock (will be covered by an AMERAUCANA roo)
to produce offspring that have...

• Color- Both egg and offspring color
• Dual purpose- nice and meaty/large, more than 6 pounds
• Cold hardy- small combs and wattles. Feathered feet okay.
• Decent maturing- mature between 16 and 24 weeks
• Production- lots of eggs

 

[BantyChooks]

Chanteclers! I'm sure you are sick of hearing this but they're really great for up here.

 

[Welshies]

Chanteclers! I'm sure you are sick of hearing this but they're really great for up here.

I have heard lots of good about them. They're hard to get up here though, surprisingly.

 

[BantyChooks]

I have heard lots of good about them. They're hard to get up here though, surprisingly.

Oh, trust me, I'm not surprised. I had mine shipped halfway across the country. There are a few peeps around that will ship eggs, if you are willing to deal with that.

 

[Welshies]

Oh, trust me, I'm not surprised. I had mine shipped halfway across the country. There are a few peeps around that will ship eggs, if you are willing to deal with that.

No, I want my chicks asap, so they lay by springtime. I rarely get shipped birds, they are just so expensive and risky in my area

 

[junebuggena]

Easter Eggers, Wyandottes, Buckeyes, Chanteclers, and Dominiques. That would give quite a variety of looks and give you a lot of genetic depth to build up a sustainable breeding flock.
And keep in mind, no hatchery in Canada has true Ameraucana. They all have misrepresented Easter Eggers.
This place has a decent selection. http://www.performancepoultry.com/index.php

 

[Welshies]

Easter Eggers, Wyandottes, Buckeyes, Chanteclers, and Dominiques. That would give quite a variety of looks and give you a lot of genetic depth to build up a sustainable breeding flock.
And keep in mind, no hatchery in Canada has true Ameraucana. They all have misrepresented Easter Eggers.
This place has a decent selection. http://www.performancepoultry.com/index.php

I won't be sourcing from a hatchery. Local breeders.
I'm thinking either Wyandottes or EEs. Both easy to get here. With a true Ameraucana roo covering them, to get colored egg-laying offspring.

 

[Tiana's chickens]

Wyandottes are great

 

[Welshies]

Wyandottes are great

I do love them.

I do have the option to buy EExBrahma chicks at the end of the month ( @junebuggena ) but I'm not sure that their offspring would lay colored eggs.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I'd try a craigslist add and see if you get any nibbles for the breed you want to source locally. One breeder near me even sells fertile eggs there maybe you'll get lucky there.