Chicken breeds

[ebuckman]

Hi, this is my first time ever getting chickens, and I am trying to pick a breed. Does anyone know breed that is good for New Jersey weather (hot and cold) and is a good layer. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Hi, this is my first time ever getting chickens, and I am trying to pick a breed. Does anyone know breed that is good for New Jersey weather (hot and cold) and is a good layer. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

Welcome to BYC!
There are not many breeds that would not do well in your location - so it may help to consider other characteristics to narrow your list. How many birds are you planning to keep? Are you wanting a flock of just one breed or a mixed flock? How many eggs, per week, do you need/want to get from your flock? Do you care about egg color? Are there any characteristics (leg feathering, facial feathering, color/pattern, particular comb types, etc) that you do or do not want? Do you want chickens that are likely to become pets/be extremely people friendly? How much space do you have for them?

 

[Michael OShay]

Based on your criteria, I would recommend Black Sex Links (Black Stars) which are very hardy and friendly egg laying machines. I've raised them for years (along with dozens of other breeds and hybrids), and they have been my best layers, consistently churning out more than 300 large brown eggs per hen per year with double yolks not being uncommon. Whatever breed or hybrid you decide to get, good luck with your flock. )

 

[Vickie 51]

We're in Westchester, NY so we have similar weather and we are going to be getting our chickens in the spring. We are going to gave a mixed flock of Barred Rock, Rhode Island Reds and Black Astralorp. All are excellent layers, docile and friendly (according to reports) and adaptable to our weather.

 

[gjensen]

Pick what you please. Your weather is not extreme enough to exclude any. If frostbite is a concern, and you will be keeping males, go with other than a single comb breed/variety.