first timer breed selection

[dartfreak75]

Hello I'm new here and to chickens and I need some help selecting a breed or breeds I wouldn't mind having more than one first off let me start with I want around 12-16 no more than 20! I want a good egg layer for eating eggs and a good meat producer and and want a hen that will set and reproduce so I can have chicks yearly I have two small children so they have to be docile and friendly right now I'm thinking about getting a mixer of a few breeds that will provide what I need what are some breeds that match what im looking for I really like the Plymouth rocks but iv heard they won't broad I also like dominique any help is appreciated

 

[brahmabreeder]

Plymouth rocks DO brood. I gave my neighbor my one and she went broody for a while and eventually was given a n egg and hatched a lil' chick out. May I also recommend you look into getting brahmas. They can go broody, are large birds ( second largest breed), lay decently, and are very calm and lazy.

 

[dartfreak75]

Ok thank you would brahmas and rock live together if I got both? I read that partridge rocks lay and set well I thought about trying a couple of them too maybe 3 or 4 of each

 

[brahmabreeder]

You could mix them just if you want to hatch eggs out then your birds won't be pure bred.

 

[dartfreak75]

Thanks a lot I've decided to go with half Brahma half rocks what would make a better rooster a rock or Brahma?

 

[brahmabreeder]

Brahma. My rocks had a tendency to get mean with me. The Brahmas were and are always nice and docile. Plus the brahmas are impressive with their massive size.

 

[dretd]

I have a Dark Brahma, Light Brahma and a Barred Rock. None have mine have gone broody in 4 years, but Brahmas are extremely sweet and easily handled. I love my BR too, she is a more dominant hen and a better layer (more frequent larger eggs) than the Brahmas. I have a friend that does subsistence farming and her Light Brahmas go broody and hatch her replacements for her. I think she likes them because of their size and friendliness plus she lives in Montana and they are very cold-hardy. I have 8 hens and a roo and all of the breeds of hens I have are sweet and easy to handle (Speckled Sussex, Welsummer, Barred Plymoth Rock, Easter Egger, L&d Brahma, Salmon Faverolles).

If you want a really sweet bird, you may also want to consider a Faverolles. This is my daughter's favorite chicken, but she is timid and may get bullied by the Rocks. Boys are supposed to be a nice size for processing and develop I think a little faster than the Brahmas. I haven't had pure roos of any of your list so I can't comment, although I have a 1/2 Faverolles Roo and he is very respectful and easy to handle, and watchful and good with the hens (so far).

Another strategy some people have non-broodies (for increased egg production) then also have one or two special brooders that they put the other hen's eggs under. I have had friends that use Silkies, Cochins and Buff Orpingtons as their broodies. All of these breeds are very easy to handle. Just another idea to muddy the waters.

And I almost forgot

 

[dartfreak75]

Well I went to southern states to order my Brahms but they where closed so I went to tractor supply and picked up a few red star sex links il order my bramhas on Monday il try to post some pics on here I'm so exited lol

 

[miquwid]

Yes I bought 6 Amber sex link for their egg production and I'm going to get some silkies, marans, and barbanters later on.