Hello!

[Eepster]

Hello! I currently have 36 chickens of different breeds and a few hybrids I created myself. I will probably have less in the winter because it is hard to take care of 36 chickens with only one heated waterer. I have had chickens for about 3 years. I started out with 7 chickens and then ordered 20 from Meyer Hatchery. The rest I hatched out. I am wanting to order some more chickens in the spring. I am probably going to order from Meyer again. I am wanting about 30 chickens with 5 or 6 different breeds, for the sake of variety. I would want breeds that lay decent eggs, preferably brown, and are cold hardy. Any suggestions? I know I want some Speckled Sussexes, and probably some Easter Eggers (I love Easter Eggers).

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Cute avatar!

You are on the right track in terms of breeds and hatcheries

EEs are friendly, cold hardy but lay really any color egg. SS are curious, docile, cold hardy and lay a light cream color egg. Marans and welsummers are you best bet in terms of dark brown eggs. Buff orps and black australorps are brown egg layers, hardy in cold, very friendly and very affectionate.

Be sure to check out our learning center and breed section.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...cken-guide-to-picking-backyard-chicken-breeds
https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/category/chicken-breeds
http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Mountain Peeps gave you some good links to check out. A couple other breeds might be the Plymouth Rocks, Delaware and Wyandottes

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I am a fan of all the Orpingtons...Black Australorps and Buff Orpingtons. Very cold hardy, great layers and make great pets.

Great to have you aboard and welcome to our flock!

 

[Eepster]

What's really funny is that right now I have all of those breeds except marans and Sussex. I have always wanted some Speckled Sussexes (I was going to get some but they weren't available at that time). The reason why I need to order some more is that I really wanted to crossbreed chickens just for fun. To get as many varieties as possible I ordered 20 chickens and got 10 different breeds: Wyandotte (golden laced), Welsummer, barred

 

[Eepster]

Barred Plymoth Rock, Dominique, Delaware, Black Australorp, Black Jersey Giant, New Hampshire Red, Lakenvelder, and Easter Egger. I got two of each breed and all were hens except the Lakenvelders (I am never getting them again they were so mean). I have experienced a variety of breeds, but I was wondering if there were other "good" ones (Chickens are unique and beautiful. A certain breed should not be considered "better" than another. Well maybe except Lakenvelder roosters). The chickens I have now are not laying as well as they were, and I want true breeds. I have 20 laying hens right now and 11 pullets that should lay any time soon, and I am only getting 10 eggs a day. I mentioned having Buff Orpingtons earlier (well not specifically). I had them before I got those 20 chickens. They got eaten by predators and the 2 that were left turned into egg eaters. The only Buff Orpingtons that I have left are the rooster and his daughter. I can't breed any more true breeds, so that is why I am going to get some more.

 

[Eepster]

I am open to getting hybrids, like Easter Eggers, because I still have them and they are continuing to lay really well. One of the Easter Eggers is my favorite. Her name is Fluff, because when she was a chick she was really fluffy.

 

[drumstick diva]

Hope you will get some nice surprises from your breeding attempts.

 

[Michael OShay]

What's really funny is that right now I have all of those breeds except marans and Sussex. I have always wanted some Speckled Sussexes (I was going to get some but they weren't available at that time). The reason why I need to order some more is that I really wanted to crossbreed chickens just for fun. To get as many varieties as possible I ordered 20 chickens and got 10 different breeds: Wyandotte (golden laced), Welsummer, barred

Welcome to BYC! I was going to suggest Black Australorps, but since you've already got them I guess I won't...(Uh, I just did, didn't I). ) Since you're obviously not opposed to hybrids, how about some Black Sex Links. They are hardy, friendly, and egg laying machines. I have no idea what you would get if you crossed them with some of your other breeds (probably nothing consistent since they are already hybrids and don't breed true), but it would be fun to find out. Anyway, whatever breeds you end up getting, good luck with your flock.