Zanna
Songster
My Delawares lay through the winter and even lay during molt. They do tend to be broody though so spring/summer can be slow in the egg department. I have heard others say that their lines of Dels. never go broody. Starting with a new re-created line from Kathyinmo here on BYC and they apparently go broody as well.I read through the Plymouth Rock thread over the past week or so. They had me but now I'm about to spit the hook. I'm a bit confused. Will Heritage Rocks lay through my New Hampshire winter?
Right now I have 3 Light Brahmas, 3 Dark Brahmas, 5 Black Australorps, 5 Red Star, 1 White Rock, 3 Gold laced Wyandotte's (Mistake Rooster), 1 Buff Rock roo (Meant to order female chick), 1 Jersey Giant roo and One White Crested Polish roo (surprice [female] chick) all from MM. The chickens are a project for me and my six children (ages 15 to 15 mo) to do together. I'm interested in the Heritage breeds, specifically the Rocks. I want an old style flock with chickens that will raise there own young. I think breeding to improve a heritage breed is a great project for my [homeschooled] children (and realize it's lifelong commitment). They can learn about genetics they'll have to solve real world math problems and real world ethical issues. The children have already agreed to eat most of the birds we have now (no way will they allow me to kill Puff [the polish], and there’s a few others). Although I have one big coup I have an old dog run that I can keep spare roos in.
Here’s the thing: there’s no way I’m feeding 20 or so chickens through the winter and BUYING eggs! Is there a Rock breed/line that lay through winter? Is there any Heritage breed that’ll lay through winter? I love RIR's, my wife like Buff Plymouth rocks, she thinks the hatchery roo we have is our prettiest chicken. My 6 year old daughter would like it if we breed Gold Laced Wyandotte's but I'm led to believed they are not good producers. So what if any heritage breed/breeds will lay through winter. I am aware that egg production will drop off we only need eggs for the family?
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