best choice for black hen

[magpiesing]

I've always thought that black hens are so beautiful with their purple or green plumage. I have 12 red hens but am thinking about getting some other birds. I like Plymouth rocks alot, but would really like a couple of black hens. What is the best choice for them? Can they all get along and will my golden rooster make funny looking chicks with them? Will he even mate with them?

 

[ramirezframing]

Rocks come in many colors, to include black. Your rooster will mate with them, the offspring will be mixed breed.

 

[donrae]

Your best bet for a solid black bird is an Australorp. Good backyard birds, dependable layers, friendly.
If you want a bit of color on your bird, black sex links are good. Again, great layers, good backyard birds.
You could also look for something like a black copper Marans, to add some color to your egg basket. Those dark eggs are so pretty!

The Aussies and black sex links are going to be very common and easy to find, most feed stores that have chicks will have one or the other.
Black copper marans are harder to find, I'm not sure if any hatchery has them or not.

Several other breeds do come in black, but they're less common and will be harder to find and more expensive.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I've always thought that black hens are so beautiful with their purple or green plumage. I have 12 red hens but am thinking about getting some other birds. I like Plymouth rocks alot, but would really like a couple of black hens. What is the best choice for them? Can they all get along and will my golden rooster make funny looking chicks with them? Will he even mate with them?

He will happily mate with them, although he may still have his favorites of his old wives.

I second Black Sexlinks as they are very pretty, productive and friendly.

If you got the Barred Plymouth Rock hens, you'd have your pretty barred hens, then hatch eggs from them and your roo (assuming he is pure) and you'd have your Black Sex Links too.

Lady of McCamley

 

[cstronks]

I second the australorp. Calm bird, excellent layer.

 

[chicken pickin]

For Black birds I have Black Copper Marans and Black Olive Eggers(though these come in all colors) I enjoy them both.

 

[xfishkillerx]

Cochen all the way!

 

[magpiesing]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I looked up the Australorp and it is a gorgeorus bird. Definitly going for the barred rocks as my husband really likes them. Is it better to get them locally or order chicks? I worry about them getting here safely if I order them. Not going for breeding or show birds although we have two nice seabrites, just love chickens.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I looked up the Australorp and it is a gorgeorus bird. Definitly going for the barred rocks as my husband really likes them. Is it better to get them locally or order chicks? I worry about them getting here safely if I order them. Not going for breeding or show birds although we have two nice seabrites, just love chickens.

Depends on how many you want...most hatcheries have a minimum chick order...the least being 15, the usual 25. Or, if they allow small orders, they charge a lot in shipping.

Personally, I just get the chicks at the feed store. They pay the shipping, take all the risk...I pick the healthiest chicks they've got at the time.

Pick Barreds that have small, distinct head dots, small yellow combs, black wash in front of legs....those should be your females...unless you want more roo's too.

Lady of McCamley

 

[chicken pickin]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I looked up the Australorp and it is a gorgeorus bird. Definitly going for the barred rocks as my husband really likes them. Is it better to get them locally or order chicks? I worry about them getting here safely if I order them. Not going for breeding or show birds although we have two nice seabrites, just love chickens.

Nothing wrong with buying from a hatchery they have some great birds and great selections, but I like buying local personally, first it supports local farms and second less stress on the chicks.

Also chick days at TSC are starting up they may have both those breeds.