Can I justify a LAYING flock of EEs?

[AinaWGSD]

oops, double post

 

[halo]

My EEs are great layers. Im all about production, so its important to me that they are reasonably good layers, and these are.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Those 'true to breed' folks rub me the wrong way anyways, so enjoying EE's is a nice thing to me

I personally could care less if my birds bred true either, but depending on why you are breeding it is important to consider this trait. If you just want to breed to propagate your own flock and you don't mind if the chicks resemble the parents, then it's not an issue. But if you are planning to breed and sell the chicks (or even just some of the chicks) to others you have to keep in mind that many chick buyers want to know what they're getting into when they buy a chick. This is why most people who are starting out in chickens or looking for chicks are looking to buy a particular breed and not just barnyard mixes. If the buyers in your area are not concerned with knowing from the start what to expect as far as growth rate, egg production, and general temperament then breeding true isn't an issue there either.

I love my EE, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to someone looking for just a laying flock or just all around fun birds. The OP asked for opinions and personal experiences, and I gave them mine. Keep in mind that mine are my first chickens and that I started with a very small sample of 5, which was then reduced to 3. So the problems I've had are not necessarily representative of what you would get in a larger order (say 15-20) of chicks but they're the only experience I have to go on.

Kassundra, those are some awesome action shots! I love your girl with the lacing on her chest and the black beard.​

 

[jmc]

your colorful and varied input is appreciated.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

I agree there is a vast variety in the EE world. If I were forming a good EE laying flock, I'd get more hens than I want to end up with and then do some record keeping and cull the poor layers. Reproduce the good layers. At least with EEs you can generally tell them apart and keep track of who lays what. Not so with the pure breeds.

 

[verity]

Quote:
their molt is seriously long and they look very be-draggled during this time ---

I have two EEs and they are wonderful -- one is friendly and lays pinkish-colored egg --- the other one lays beautiful blue eggs but she is aloof -- perhaps she has an 'artistic temperament' ??!!!

I love them and the fact that EEs can be any color -- the 'lacing' on one of ours is spectacular -- and the other one is a sort of 'splash' color -- both have poufy 'muffs' and these are the two hens that visitors first notice --

Of the seven hens we have, these are among the most consistent layers and their eggs are 'large' to 'extra-large' on my egg scale --

I'd like to add more to my little flock -- they are among my favorites --

I have a lovely black 'pure' Ameraucauna and she is not nearly as pretty as these two 'mutts' --

So, I say 'enjoy!'

 

[jmc]

thank you for these last two. they are such lovely birds!

where have your ee come from.

 

[Kassaundra]

Thanks everyone for the compliments on my girls and pics. They make getting good pics easy they are so interactive w/ me.

 

[Sassafras]

Kassaundra, Your hens are gorgeous! When they were chicks did they have the "chipmunk" striping?

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
Yes, most did. As very young chicks Oreo the one male stood our from the beginning he was chipmunk but w/ a more blue and grey cast then the others brown/yellow cast. There were 3 exceptions 2 yellow and one yellow w/ darker "tips" the two yellow are totally white now, the one w/ darker tips is apricot and white (more white towards the head and more apricot towards the tail)

One other girl stood out starting at about 2-3 weeks old as having slightly different coloring in the chipmunk markings and she turned out to have a lot of blue grey in her coloring which is very striking against her deep oranges.

The chipmunk coloring was varied as young chicks some darker some lighter, as day olds the distinction wasn't too obvious, but got more obvious as they grew when a couple of weeks old the light and dark ones could easily be distinguished.