Expanding the flock; need your help!

[spolicas]

Hey gang,

So currently I have four Buff Orpington hens which are great pets and good egg layers.

We are looking at getting another batch of chicks - a rooster and some hens to mate, so we can start selling some baby chicks. We aren't sure what breed to get; we'd rather not get Buff Orpington, because we'd like to be able to distinguish flocks (they will be kept separate).

The reason for the separation is that some in our family will not eat fertilized eggs, thus we have to keep a few hens around to lay unfertilized eggs for consumption - and what not better than four little Buff hens!

As for the chick raising flock... I was looking into Australorps or Jersey Giants, any others you can suggest?

We are looking for them to be docile, friendly, good layers, broody, and great mothers.

Any other suggestions?

Thank you,
spolicas

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

There are several different breed that fit what you looking for.

I have two Rhode Island Reds (RIRs). One, I did not raise, but is an excellent layer (5-7 eggs a week). The other I did raise, and is not quite laying yet, but she is so sweet. RIR is definitely a good one.

Another breed is a White Leghorn. They are really good layers. Although, (mine have never been this way) they are supposedly not as friendly as some other breeds.

Another good breed is the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte (BLRW). I did have one hen last year, but she didn't get to lay very much before a dog got her. Athough, they are supposed to be good layers (probably about as good as Buff Orpingtons). Right now my rooster is a BLRW and I LOVE him, he is beautiful, sweet, and good to his girls. He is definitely in my top 2.

I would say Red Star, but then you'd have to get to different breeds....


Hope I helped, let us know what you decide

 

[cr213636]

I had an Australorp who was really friendly and was really good looking. (Their feathers really shine, wow.)

Rhode Island Reds is another good choice. I had one who was friendly.

Finally, I had a Golden Laced Wyandotte who was friendly and layed lots of large eggs.

If you want them to be good mothers, then look at some breeds that go broody a lot. If size doesn't matter to you, then silkies are really sweet, and they're amazing mothers. Good luck choosing a breed!

 

[Vicky2479]

I would almost suggest getting a BO rooster and making them your breeding flock, from what I have read they are everything you are looking for as brooders and mothers.
As for the other breeds, Australorps are fairly good layers, mine gives about 5 a week, she is not "friendly" as such but will eat out of your hand and tolerate being picked up, she may have been better had I put more time in to it, ohhh and like cr213636 said they are really pretty, their feathers have a really green sheen to them.
RIR are great egg produces but the ones here in aus don't tend to go broody to often as they are developed for egg production, they maybe different over there (someone please jump in and correct me if this isn't the case in the US), mine is the friendliest in the group though. I also have SWL X hens they havent started laying yet at 5months, although they mine are not nasty or mean they very much prefer to be left alone, again that could be because I didn't put in the time to tame them, they are very pretty and supposed to be good mums from what I have read.