Fill in the blank...FCBM, cream legbar, exchequerLH, Salmon Faverolles and _______

[Shellebelle920]

HI again everyone! I am starting my own mixed breed flock in a few weeks and am looking for opinions on which breed to add for typical brown eggs (and a lot of them). I was originally going to go with a blue Australorp but am now second-guessing myself and thinking of going with a Barred Rocks. What do you think? I am looking for a good layer with some personality but good with kids and PA winters. What do you think? Thanks!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Rhode Island Reds are good brown egg layers with a prolific reputation for eggs. No bird is good around kids as birds are birds. I’d never trust any rooster around a kid.

 

[Callender Girl]

I've never had Australorps, but I adored my Barred Rock. She got along great with the rest of the flock and was actually the friendliest. She did fine in the rugged northern Iowa winters, so I would think they would be fine where you are.

BTW, don't you just love your Faverolles? They are lovely and silly at the same time!

 

[lilmillefleur]

You seem to like rare breeds. Maybe you could go with a rarer variety of Plymouth Rock, such as partridge or silver pencilled.

 

[Shellebelle920]

You seem to like rare breeds. Maybe you could go with a rarer variety of Plymouth Rock, such as partridge or silver pencilled.

Those sound interesting, and you’re right! I like finding some interesting birds. Lol! Now I’m off to google.

 

[Shellebelle920]

I've never had Australorps, but I adored my Barred Rock. She got along great with the rest of the flock and was actually the friendliest. She did fine in the rugged northern Iowa winters, so I would think they would be fine where you are.

BTW, don't you just love your Faverolles? They are lovely and silly at the same time!

I don’t have her yet, but I am most excited for the Salmon Faverolles. I’m just worried about her getting along with the leghorn. They’ll all be brooded together, so I hope that helps!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds don’t mix well with more docile breeds like Faverolles. Brahmas lay brown eggs and would go nicely with your flock.

 

[Shellebelle920]

Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds don’t mix well with more docile breeds like Faverolles. Brahmas lay brown eggs and would go nicely with your flock.

Do you think if the rock is brooded with the Faverolles, that they may have a better chance of getting along okay? Do Brahmas lay a decent amount of eggs? Are they okay in the winter?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Do you think if the rock is brooded with the Faverolles, that they may have a better chance of getting along okay? Do Brahmas lay a decent amount of eggs? Are they okay in the winter?

No the Plymouth Rock will eventually start beating up the Faverolles. Brahmas lay a decent number of eggs and do just fine in winter.

 

[Callender Girl]

My Faverolles live with a Buff Orpington. She was THE dominant hen in a flock that included a Barred Rock, a Rhode Island Red and a Sicilian Buttercup. In fact, Honey must have imagined she was a rooster; she quit laying eggs and began bossing all the others in her coop.

When a mink killed all but her, she lived alone for months. I let Honey free-range in the daytime with the Favs until she pretty much chose them -- instead of the Iowa Blues -- as her coop mates.

The Favs are pretty docile; mine have only ever lived with each other and the Orp since they left the brooder. Celeste and Camille do the submissive squat whenever they even suspect I might try to pick them up. But I absolutely adore their funny faces and weird gait. And, when I yell, "Chick, chick" they come running for treats.

I have no experience with Brahmas, but they look cool. Every hen has her own personality, so no matter your best intentions, someone with feathers can outsmart you!