Breed Recommendations for a newbie

[satay]

I love my Black  Australorps!  I have four of them and they are all laying nice little brown eggs now and are only 21 weeks old.  They lay an egg almost every day, and get along well with the rest of the flock.  Very glad I chose these to be the most well-represented breed of my flock.  Also, they are jet black, with a green sheen, and I have been told that hawks hate crows and the Australorps look enough like crows or ravens that they will keep the hawks away from your flock.  Another plus.  I was also worried that they would over-heat in our occasional 100 degree temps because of their color, but mine seemed to breeze through the heat as well.  Highly recommend this breed!

The original black Australorp was developed in Gatton not far from where I live. It can get to the top 40C's in summer here so heat should never be a problem for them. We get cold in winter too , no snow though but the seems to be able to adjust to any temp pretty well.

 

[GimmeCake]

I'd say Wyandotte (which I already did), but that's simply what I think. The best breed according to BYC is Orpington. Although Australorps are an exception because they lay more then Orpingtons, but won't be as nice (really a tradeoff between nice and production).

 

[birdhouse2]

I would go with Black australorps. They are hearty birds that lay record numbers of eggs, they are quiet and friendly. Buff orpingtons are also a docile breed but I have not had one be a real prolific layer as of yet. Most of the reds I have had have been great layers but not overly friendly. A rarer breed I started to toy with this year, the Salmon Faverolle, has been quite friendly but I cannot speak to their laying abilities as they just started to lay this last week or so.

 

[ChickensInHugo]

We ordered 16 birds, each a different breed, from Murray McMurray Hatchery. We love the mix of different looks and personalities. Right now they are about 5 months old and almost all are laying eggs. Although one bird probably doesn't accurately represent the breed, here is a summary of our experience. I have put a * next to our favorites:

*Black Australorp: A very mild mannered hen that is friendly and medium-large in size. One of the first to lay eggs.
Black Jersey Giant: A quiet and shy hen that was hard to tell apart from the Black Australorp once they were both feathered poults, but then the Black Australorp matured faster. Jersey Giants are slow to mature so their combs are smaller and less red at similar ages.
*White Jersey Giant: Similar to Black Jersey Giant but a larger hen. Friendly bird that doesn't mind being held.
Black Cochin: Extremely shy bird, very quiet. It is not very active and mostly just stands around in the coop or the run. Doesn't like being held, either.
White Wyandotte: Very friendly as a chick, passive but not very friendly as an adult. One of the first layers. No traits that "stand out from the crowd." Just an average chicken.
*White Rock: The friendliest and most inquisitive hen. She was also the first to lay an egg at 19 weeks. Also seems smart for a chicken, she keys on people by the coop and run when they are preparing food and treats. Will eat anything and loves to forage.
Buff Rock: More aggressive than the White Rock, also a larger comb. Very vocal in a "funny" way, throws temper tantrums when other chickens get treats. Not aggressive towards other chickens.
*Red Star: Reliably laying a GIANT brown egg almost every day. Eggs are noticeably larger than all the others. Docile and quiet bird. Not exciting to watch like some of the others, but our top recommendation if your main goal is egg production.
Rhode Island Red: This hen blends in with the crowd. Not very friendly with people, but not aggressive with the other birds either.
New Hampshire Red: Similar to Rhode Island Red, but more timid and hangs out in the coop during the day while others are in the run.
Light Brahma: Very inquisitive but doesn't like contact with people. A regal looking bird, her face reminds people of a hawk. Also appears to be the alpha female. Prefers to eat feed, doesn't like grass. A fantastic choice for "good looking birds."
Phoenix: A tiny hen that is timid and doesn't move towards people. Nice looking feathers. Lays a tiny white egg almost every single day.
Red Cap: Our Red Cap was the friendliest chick, but is now skittish and afraid of everything. A nice looking bird but it is always freaking out and hiding.
*Silver Laced Polish: An exotic bird that everyone notices first for its feathered head. It only eats feed, and requires feathers around the eyes to be trimmed every few weeks so that it can see. If something spooks the chickens, most will run and hide but the Polish chicken will lay down and play dead. We don't think it is laying eggs yet at 26 weeks. Doesn't seem to be very bright, and can be clumsy. A fun conversation starter that kids love to look at.
Gold Laced Polish: Friendly as a chick, got spooked and died running into a brick wall head-first before reaching maturity. It was my wife's favorite before the accident.
Golden Laced Wyandotte: Our GLW is our only rooster. He crows all day long, frequently. He protects the hens and he is friendly, but he is extremely loud and noisy.

 

[GimmeCake]

Quote:
Wow. Your polish ran head first into a brick wall?

 

[ChickensInHugo]

It got stuck between the bricks as a chick. We got it out, but it died by the next morning. Something from the whole ordeal probably injured it and it could not recover. It was a shame, it probably would have been a good looking bird.

 

[kitmarlowescot2]

Yeah I have heard of Polish doing that, though the one I knew just knocked herself out by running into a tree. They are very pretty, but not much in their heads other than feathers.

 

[tyedyefire]

I have a White Brahma, a Golden Sex Link, a Black Laced Wyandotte, and two Ameraucanas. My Ameraucanas and just babies so I don't yet know there personalities but so far they are very friendly and like to hang out every time I am in their space. My Golden Sex Link is very friendly but independent. She doesn't mind the attention but doesn't come looking for it either. My Black Laced Wyandotte is bitchy, she doesn't like to be touched and stays away any time I enter her space. Last is my White Bramha who, unfortunately just passed, was the most wonderful hen I have known. She was so sweet. She would greet you at the door and hang out with you, she didn't mind being pet and held..even by my 21 month old daughter. I would definitely recommend the Bramhmas.

 

[jotee]

I have Buffs and I love them.... I also have Black Astrolorps, love them too....Only difference is, the Blacks can be broody, the Buffs, not so much....I raised them from day olds with a lot a contact....they act like dogs. Enjoy!

 

[jotee]

FYI....Our Colombian Wyandotte is by far the friendliest of all the chickens.....she is the first to follow and she does not mind being touched... All that being said, her litter mate is our least friendliest chicken......eggs? so so!