Blue Egg Layer To Fit Into Small Flock

[JAMarlow]

I am getting ready to replace some old ladies in my flock and would love some advice. Here are the breeds I plan to keep around:

Marans
Swedish Flower Hens
Speckled Sussex
(Possibly an Australorp)

I would love a blue egg-laying breed that is genetically a strong blue that has these traits:

1. Would fit in with the laid-back temperament of my flock.
2. Would need to produce decently, as I keep my flock for their eggs (and bug patrol).
3. Needs to be able to tolerate Arizona heat. I provide plenty of shade and water.
4. Human-friendly.

Any thoughts or ideas? Heck, does one even exist?

 

[Iluveggers]

My cream legbar was a sweetheart. They don’t produce astronomical amounts of eggs but she laid as much as my Sussex. Overall, they aren’t known for domineering personalities so one should fit in fine!

 

[JAMarlow]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll put them on the list of possibilities.

 

[FrostRanger]

Easter eggers can lay blue eggs (although what color you get is a gamble) lay decently and are usually docile

 

[WingItRanch]

All 3 of my Easter Eggers lay blue/green eggs and the eggs are just as large and as frequent as my other breeds. Honestly, they're better producers than my Plymouth Barred Rocks.

They're not flighty. Pretty friendly. I love their puffy cheeks and beards. They're tolerant of high Temps. Probably more than your Marans.

They're not pure bred but if you're not breeding, then shouldn't be a problem. I can't imagine not having EEs in my mixed flock. They're pretty fun.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My Prairie Bluebell Eggers lay lovely blue eggs reliably and are friendly and personable. I have six, and only two look alike, the rest are totally random! I highly recommend them.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Do you have a particular hatchery in mind? Or are you looking for breeders? There are lots of hatchery hybrids out there these days designed with the popularity of colored eggs in mind.

My blue egg layer (sapphire jewel) is a hybrid specific to Meyer hatchery. She is my best layer, both in quantity and size. She's also my loudest pullet. And a bit on the flighty side. She's a little standoffish, but she will come in to see me if im hanging out in the coop or run, she just doesn't like to be picked up or touched.

 

[JAMarlow]

Do you have a particular hatchery in mind? Or are you looking for breeders? There are lots of hatchery hybrids out there these days designed with the popularity of colored eggs in mind.

My blue egg layer (sapphire jewel) is a hybrid specific to Meyer hatchery. She is my best layer, both in quantity and size. She's also my loudest pullet. And a bit on the flighty side. She's a little standoffish, but she will come in to see me if im hanging out in the coop or run, she just doesn't like to be picked up or touched.

No hatchery in mind at this point. THe options are open! Once I make a decision it is more of a matter of finding a good hatchery that has that particular choice available.

I've considered doing my own little breeding project here, but that's not going to happen anytime soon. But if I do, then I definitely want some blue egg genetics in the mix.

 

[Iluveggers]

One thing about Cream Legbars, if you have a hen crossed with a Black Marans or Australorp rooster, the offspring would be sex-linked Olive Eggers! Mt Healthy & Ideal both have availability if you need them shipped!

 

[AinaWGSD]

One thing about Cream Legbars, if you have a rooster crossed with a Black Marans or Australorp, the offspring would be sex-linked Olive Eggers! Mt Healthy & Ideal both have availability if you need them shipped!

That's backwards, for sex links using barring it's the hen that has to be barred. Cream legbar roosters are double barred, so he would pass barring on to all of his offspring, both male and female.