Chicken Research

[michellemcfeely]

I am considering purchasing a few chickens but have a few questions before I decide what breed to go with.

What breeds are better layers and which breeds are good to use as brooders?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Are you interested in fliers (Leghorns) who lay very well? Or do you only want heavy chickens that won't fly out of the yard as easily?

Good broody hens/pets are Silkies and Cochins, but they don't lay very well.

Some of the heavy brown egg layers like Orpingtons go broody frequently too. They are decent egg layers but compare Leghorns which lay practically every day to Orpingtons that lay 3 to 4 times a week.

My favorite heavy brown egglayers are Black Australorps and Buff Orpingtons. Easter Eggers (blue and green egglayers) are interesting to keep for the egg color.

You can find Henderson's Chicken Chart on google/bing and it has some excellent information. Also the breeds section on BYC. And feathersite.com.

The Sex Links are the best brown egg layers (most eggs). There are Red Sex Links (also called Cinnamon Queen, Golden Sex Links, Golden Comets, etc. that are slightly different variations. Also Black Sex Links.

The Rhode Island Red is the classic excellent egg layer. The heritage RIR won't lay as many eggs as the Production Reds.

For temperament, I found that the Golden Sex Links (because of that RIR blood in them) were a bit aggressive to the other chickens. They layed a LOT of eggs though.
A lot of other breeds exist that don't lay as many eggs but are just so delightful to have around because of personality.

If you are looking at pure feed to egg conversion the white Leghorn is tops. The other colors of Leghorn don't lay as many eggs as the white Leghorn.

Plymouth Rocks (Barred and other colors) are popular too for dual purpose.

 

[michellemcfeely]

They will have a large pinned in area but want to free range them.
Thank you your info is very helpful.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You can find Henderson's Chicken Chart on google/bing and it has some excellent information. Also the breeds section on BYC. And feathersite.com.

All good information and good links.
Another chart I like is http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf

 

[michellemcfeely]

Thank you I will read through those.
I want egg layers and a good broody hen.