Help me decide the breed of my next batch of chicks

[azygous]

Okay. I've pretty much decided the flock needs some little ones. I have eighteen hens ages 18 months to seven years of age. I have Welsummers, Wyandottes, two Brahmas, one Cochin, and two EEs. Of all those, maybe seven or eight of them will probably be laying, at least regularly.

I would like a breed that is sexed pretty accurately at the hatchery so I don't end up with a rooster. That's one reason I chose Welsummers last time. I would like a good laying breed, friendly, and colored eggs other than white.

So, people, tell me what I should get!

 

[Pyxis]

You could try sex links! They come in several color varieties, they are sexed with 100% accuracy, they are nice and calm and friendly, excellent layers, and they lay brown eggs in various shades.

 

[azygous]

Good recommendation! I'll look them up and talk to Tractor Supply.

 

[carsonwild]

If you want to positively identify sex I would go sex link.
Here's some chooses.
Gold sex link.
http://www.efowl.com/Gold_Sex_Link_Chickens_p/1038.htm

Red sex link.
http://www.efowl.com/Red_Sex_Link_Chickens_p/1055.htm

Black sex link.
http://www.efowl.com/Black_Sex_Link_Chickens_p/1035.htm

They all look good to me.
I have never had any but if I could not have roosters this is what I would get for egg layers.
Carson

 

[SMonroe1990]

I agree with the sex links. I have a red one myself and wish I had gotten more. She is probably the friendliest of the bunch I have and regularly lays me a wonderfully brown egg a day. Quite large eggs at that. Not to mention I think the coloring of her feathers is quite lovely. The red on her is almost a cinnamon color with hints of white here and there. And they start laying fairly early too. I think my girl was 20 weeks when she started laying.

 

[azygous]

Thanks for the recommendations. How about Cukoo Marans? Are they pretty much fool proof as far as getting pullets when you want pullets? Anyone ever mail ordered just four or five?

 

[enola]

Cuckoo Marans lay a dark brown egg, but not the dark chocolate eggs like Black Copper Marans hens. Mine lay at least 4 eggs a week. My Wyandotte hens lay a pale brown/pinkish egg, 4-5 a week. Cream Legbars are auto sexing chickens that lay bluish/greenish egg, 5-6 eggs a week.

 

[azygous]

Am I to understand Cream Legbars can be sexed accurately on hatch? What do they look like and what's their temperament? Friendly, mellow?

 

[enola]

The pullets look like chipmunks. The males have a large dot on their heads.

 

[enola]

My hens are friendly, nosey, will make noises to me when I talk in the coop, are pretty laid back with the other hens but don't take any crap either. They lay as well as my brown leghorns, and eat about the same amount of feed. I got mine because I wanted another blue egg layer. I am disappointed because their eggs are more greenish than blue, but they are so sweet I will be raising more of them. So far I have not had good luck with the roosters, both of mine have been culled because of human aggression. But, I am dteremined to find a good rooster!