Help selecting breeds

[Michael OShay]

You've received some good suggestions from the above members and having raised dozens of breeds over the past few decades, I can tell you from experience that there can always be exceptions with any breed. However, dual purpose breeds that have a well deserved reputation for being calm and gentle (and good layers) include Australorps, Orpingtons, Brahmas, Sussex, and Faverolles. If high egg production is a priority, Australorps are the best layers on this list. Whatever breeds you decide to get, good luck with your flock. )

 

[littlelune810]

Thanks everyone for your help. I have contacted the local feed stores which is where I will get my chicks. They will have their chick ordering lists available in January so I will be able to have an idea of which breeds will be available at the same time. Hopefully I can get a few of the ones I want at the same time for my flock.

 

[littlelune810]

I think any of the breeds you mentioned would do well in your flock. I've had all those breeds except the Buckeye, and they do well in mixed flocks. I like having just one or two birds of each breed/variety, so I can tell them apart . Barred Rocks are the foundation of my flock, they're lovely birds. In my opinion, Easter Eggers are a must if you have littles, the kiddos just love the blue or green eggs. Add in an Australorp, or a Welsummer to give you darker terra-cotta eggs. I'm not a huge fan of Reds, personally, but that's more my own feelings than anything. Some breeds you like, some just don't click for you.

Being in rainy WA, probably the only breeds you'd want to avoid will be feather footed birds. The mud and the feathered feet just don't play well together . Otherwise, any dual purpose bird will do well in your area.

Thank you. I also like the idea of being able to tell the birds apart and I love the idea of having a multi colored egg basket so to speak. I have heard a lot from people who don't like RIR and a lot from people who love them. Seems like a pretty polarizing bird.

 

[Michael OShay]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I have heard a lot from people who don't like RIR and a lot from people who love them. Seems like a pretty polarizing bird.

You're welcome. The problem with RIRs seems to be mainly which hatchery stock which is sometimes aggressive (I suspect from some Leghorn that's been infused into their background at some point to increase their rate of lay). Heritage RIRs from reputable breeders rarely seem to have these aggressive tendencies.

 

[littlelune810]

My [COLOR=333333]Australorp has never been very friendly, but she has outlived all of her original flock mates. She'll be 8 next spring and just stopped laying over the summer. Up until then, I think she averaged about 6 large brown eggs per week - even over the winter in the first 5 years. She went broody for the first time after she stopped laying. My RIR is mean. When I open the egg door to collect the eggs, she walks into the nest box and pecks my hand. If she's in the yard, she tries to peck my legs and feet. My friendliest hen is a Golden Comet. She's a very good layer too. We currently have one Americauna, and I love the green eggs. She molted in August and has only laid about 3 eggs since. She'll be 4 in the spring. I had another Americauna who seemed especially dumb. It was no surprise that she was the one who got picked off by a hawk a few months ago. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=333333]We built our coop from the Garden Coop plans as well. It's great![/COLOR]

Ya know I'll be honest the main reason I want Australorps is because of their egg production capabilities. I thought the all black color would be boring, but that green sheen is kind of cool!! Also glad to hear they are good natured, must come from the Orpington in them?

Edit: oops this was meant to be directed at Birdrain92!!

 

[Birdrain92]

Ya know I'll be honest the main reason I want Australorps is because of their egg production capabilities. I thought the all black color would be boring, but that green sheen is kind of cool!! Also glad to hear they are good natured, must come from the Orpington in them?

Edit: oops this was meant to be directed at Birdrain92!!

It's kind of fun seeing the green shine when the sun hits their feathers just right. Orpingtons are friendly too. Or the ones I've raised. The only breed I've had an aggressive bird was a Golden Cochin rooster. Other than that all of the other breeds I've had have been really friendly. Also they seem to stay producing longer than other breeds I've raised. I'm sure which ever breeds you choose you'll enjoy.

 

[Michael OShay]

Ya know I'll be honest the main reason I want Australorps is because of their egg production capabilities. I thought the all black color would be boring, but that green sheen is kind of cool!! Also glad to hear they are good natured, must come from the Orpington in them?

Yes, Australorps were originally bred in Australia using Orpington stock but with the goal of increasing their rate of lay. In the 1920s, a Black Australorp in Australia set the laying record with 364 eggs in 365 days which stood until it was broken by a White Leghorn in 1979 (371 eggs in 364 days), but it's still the brown egg laying record.

 

[Michael OShay]

The only breed I've had an aggressive bird was a Golden Cochin rooster.

This goes to prove my point that there can always be exceptions with any breeds. Cochins are generally one of the calmest and most gentle of breeds. I've never had an aggressive one over the years. However, if you want a high laying rate, Cochins are definitely not the breed to get.

 

[littlelune810]

Yes, Australorps were originally bred in Australia using Orpington stock but with the goal of increasing their rate of lay. In the 1920s, a Black Australorp in Australia set the laying record with 364 eggs in 365 days which stood until it was broken by a White Leghorn in 1979 (371 eggs in 364 days), but it's still the brown egg laying record.

Wow!!

 

[Bridebeliever]

I just just wanted to pop in and give you the link to the Washington thread. I live in Whatcom County and it's been nice to connect to others in your own area to talk about concerns and questions related to raising chickens in our state!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...together-washington-peeps/33480#post_16196351
I have 3 Andelusians (doesn't fit your profile but they are friendly), 2 RIR (hatchery quality and extremely docile), 1 Australorp (definitely the most docile of the group and all of the other chickens love her and never pick on her), 3 Wyandottes (not my favorites, the least friendly), 1 Chocolate Orpington (not overly friendly but not mean).