Can someone help me figure out what breed to add to my flock for my goals?

[SomeChickinTN]

I'm not sure if I am over thinking it. And can't figure out if I want to add bantams along with EE's, or what.

I currently have a mixed flock of dual purpose chickens. They are all mature and laying well. Last fall something got my rooster, so I know I want to replace him.

My husband recently went to the feed store and got a duck and two brahmas, which are in the brooder. I was hoping one was a rooster, but it's not.

So I know for sure that I want a rooster, and I was thinking EE's for the cool factor. My goal is to have a self sustaining flock so that I don't have to keep raising chicks. The reason I was thinking about getting a bantam hen is specifically to be broody. Last year, none of my hens stayed broody past 17 days or so.

Sorry this is so long, but can anyone help?

 

[SomeChickinTN]

My current coop can hold about 3 more dual purpose size birds, and my husband just bought one of those banty sized prefab coops, and we plan on making the run larger too.

 

[Acre4Me]

You will need a broody hen! Some breeds go broody more often/are more reliable. We had a lone Black Australorp that would go broody, but no other pullet/hen ever did. Now we have some Red Dorkings and, as expected, one of them is broody. None of our EE have ever gone broody and we’ve had several. Some people rely on Silkies as their broody girls since they go broody a lot apparently.

getting a rooster: you might want to get one that is 1yo, bc past horrible teenagehormone Stage and can assess personality better. Look on CL or see if there is a swap or any farm near you that would get rid of an extra male for you.

good luck!

 

[SomeChickinTN]

You will need a broody hen! Some breeds go broody more often/are more reliable. We had a lone Black Australorp that would go broody, but no other pullet/hen ever did. Now we have some Red Dorkings and, as expected, one of them is broody. None of our EE have ever gone broody and we’ve had several. Some people rely on Silkies as their broody girls since they go broody a lot apparently.

getting a rooster: you might want to get one that is 1yo, bc past horrible teenagehormone Stage and can assess personality better. Look on CL or see if there is a swap or any farm near you that would get rid of an extra male for you.

good luck!

Oh, I forgot about silkies. I'm trying to figure out if I should go with two flocks? The prefab coop is separate from the other one, so I'm not sure what to put in it. But I could eventually join the runs together. Should I just try to get a silkie rooster then, for simplicity's sake?

 

[Acre4Me]

He would pass on his silkie genes...dark skin, 5 toes, specific feathering, etc. was thinking a silkie female could brood everyone’s eggs but then you’d get larger dual purpose birds by using a regular rooster (rather than a silkie).

 

[SomeChickinTN]

He would pass on his silkie genes...dark skin, 5 toes, specific feathering, etc. was thinking a silkie female could brood everyone’s eggs but then you’d get larger dual purpose birds by using a regular rooster (rather than a silkie).

Ok, then maybe I'll put the silkie hens in the smaller coop, and the get the brahma rooster and put him in the main coop with the big hens, and have the silkies brood the eggs....

 

[Acre4Me]

Ok, then maybe I'll put the silkie hens in the smaller coop, and the get the brahma rooster and put him in the main coop with the big hens, and have the silkies brood the eggs....

yes, that sounds better. In addition, often those that raise Silkies indicate it can be better to keep them separate bc they can get picked on in a mixed flock. I’ve never raised silkies, so I dong have experience with them.

 

[SomeChickinTN]

yes, that sounds better. In addition, often those that raise Silkies indicate it can be better to keep them separate bc they can get picked on in a mixed flock. I’ve never raised silkies, so I dong have experience with them.

Aww, I didn't know bantams are straight run only at Meyer :/