Breed selection

[coltsfan]

Hi all. I am currently in the latter planning stages of getting some chickens. Ive been researching different breeds for a while now that will suit my purposes and ive narrowed them down to new hamp, orpington, and delaware. I want a good dp breed that has great meat properties and lays really well. Also broodiness is a must. I was leaning toward the orpington, but i read somewhere that they quit laying for a couple of months during the winter. Any thoughts or preferences for any of these breeds would be much appreciated.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

It depends on the age of your Buff Orps. Mine layed all through the winter (it was their pullet year). I fully expect them to take a break this fall for their 18 month molt. I have read that they go broody all summer sometimes, lol. Only one of mine has gone broody thus far and they are a year old.

Everyone has their favorites- I will just mention that my hatchery Delawares started pecking my hands and I thought they seemed aggressive. So I sold them. Then I read that others have found hatchery Delawares also to be aggressive. If you get them from a breeder they are supposedly sweet. That's all I know about them.

New Hampshires I have no experience with.

Henderson's Breed Chart is awesome if you haven't seen it yet. (You can google it.)

The skin color of the chicken should be considered also. You might try looking at McMurray Hatchery or another hatchery's webpages too to get ideas on their dual purpose breeds.

 

[coltsfan]

Well actually read that fact about orpingtons in the byc breed descriptions, but i suppose everyone has different experiences. Thanks for the info!

 

[hinkjc]

Typically all birds will lay through winter during their first year. And it is quite normal that all birds take a winter break and moult, as this is part of their cycle of regeneration. The only way a bird will lay all through winter every year is if additional light is provided to stop their natural cycle.

 

[coltsfan]

Thanx!