Chick breed recommendations (and possible rooster)

[lazy gardener]

Generally, large combed birds excel in southern climates, and small combed birds are less prone to frost bite issues here in the north. You could get away with either. I can recommend Barred Rocks: good layers of large eggs, friendly, docile, not aggressive to flock mates, eye candy. Black Australorpe: good layers (I have yet to catch one of them dropping an egg, so can't say how big those eggs are, but they are in the nest every day.) More aloof than the BR, docile, not aggressive. If you have a child, or intend to sell eggs, you MUST have some EE. These gals are good layers of blue, aqua, green eggs but their body size is a bit smaller. I just love their quirky personalities.

 

[FamilyFarm12]

Generally, large combed birds excel in southern climates, and small combed birds are less prone to frost bite issues here in the north. You could get away with either. I can recommend Barred Rocks: good layers of large eggs, friendly, docile, not aggressive to flock mates, eye candy. Black Australorpe: good layers (I have yet to catch one of them dropping an egg, so can't say how big those eggs are, but they are in the nest every day.) More aloof than the BR, docile, not aggressive. If you have a child, or intend to sell eggs, you MUST have some EE. These gals are good layers of blue, aqua, green eggs but their body size is a bit smaller. I just love their quirky personalities.

I know ameraucanas come in a verity of colors, but do EEs too?

 

[lazy gardener]

EE are the mutts of the blue egg layer world. If you order a chick from a hatchery, and they call it an Ameraucana, Americana, or Araucana, chances are it's really an EE, unless they tell you that it is a specific color, and you pay at least $10.00 for a pullet. Many hatcheries are dishonest when it comes to labeling these birds. The dead give away that the hatchery is offering EE is that they will tell you that the bird comes in a variety of colors instead of offering SPECIFIC colors.

As for comparing EE to Ameraucana in the back yard flock: I prefer EE! They are better layers IMO.

 

[FamilyFarm12]

That’s good to know thanks. Also what’s the typical price for an ameruacana or EE?

 

[Foster's Freehold]

Im in southern ky. Are you located in Ky as well?

Hi smoore, I too am in southern kentucky, near Bowling Green. Sounds like Buff Orpingtons and Australorps are what you are after. I've kept both, and they are both great in this area.

 

[lazy gardener]

That’s good to know thanks. Also what’s the typical price for an ameruacana or EE?

Check out Cackle hatchery. They are one of the few hatcheries that are honest in their labeling of Ameraucana vs. EE. They offer both.

 

[Farmgal101]

That’s good to know thanks. Also what’s the typical price for an ameruacana or EE?

They normally dont go for much more then $5- $7 dollars sometimes less.

 

[Cyprus]

Hey, there! I may be a little late to the party, but I have a few recommendations and comments.
I'd recommend Orpingtons for both hens and roosters. They are very gentle, and great dual purpose birds. However, as mentioned by another member, they are not heat hardy. They actually do worse in the heat than in the cold, so consider that.

For good layers, and gentle hens, I would recommend Easter Eggers. They lay more than Americaunas and in my experience are slightly more calm. In my experience, EE roosters are mean. Both of mine were the devil, and attacked me often and were rough with their hens. They also just about killed eachother getting into fights. It may just be that I ended up with two bad roosters, though. At least they filled out well, decent carcasses.

For really sweet and wonderful roosters I would recommend Brahmas. I had two Light Brahma roosters and they were the darndest sweetest little creatures that ever lived in my coop. They were good with their hens, and never got into any trouble with anybody.

 

[lazy gardener]

My avatar EE roo was a wonderful boy. He loved his ladies, was a good family man, tidbitting everyone in the flock, whether it be his favorite hens, his chicks, or the cockerels! He found nest sites for the girls, fluffed up the bedding, and accompanied the girls to and from the nest boxes when they were out free ranging.

 

[smoore7489]

Hi smoore, I too am in southern kentucky, near Bowling Green. Sounds like Buff Orpingtons and Australorps are what you are after. I've kept both, and they are both great in this area.

Hi! I am close to Bowling Green too. (Like 40 mins away) is there a hatchery you prefer or a local place you get your chicks? Thought about ordering from TSC again but wondering if you have any recommendations since we are in the same area.