I just cant decide

[Momto3]

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Hummm I never thought of that. Might have to mull that one over a little about only keeping 1 RSL. Our EE is actually a chocolately brown color with a lighter tan around her neck. Very pretty, will have to take a picture of them all soon.

 

[gocrow77]

I am a sucker for pretty birds so I would probably keep the SLW - I had a gl hen and she was a total sweetheart. But, in all honesty I would keep them ALL, lol. I have chicken math problems though.........

 

[Momto3]

Oh trust me I wish I could keep them all. Legally I can have 25 in my property, yet I have to keep the run/house 40ft from any dwelling. Well that just isnt possible. So technically I am illegal. So I dont want to have to many to cause problems. So I thought 5 was a great finale number. My MIL is in the midst of building her coop so I will keep all the girls for atleast the next 2wks. So I have awhile to make my final decision.

 

[chena16c]

I had a SLW, even though she was hatchery she was beautiful. However she was a mean one. Not just to the hens but she'd even chase after my border collie (who though she wanted to play tag). When I recently sold off some of my flock ( I find that 11 of 'em tear apart a yard pretty fast and make lots of holes), she was one of the ones to go.

My BO isn't really that friendly, she isn't mean by any means, but she's not a people chicken. She does jump on the backs of my cuckoo marans though, they're the youngest of the current flock. She's also the LOUDEST of my flock.

I just got a few more chicks ( I know, I know) and one of them is a BA and she is the sweetest little thing out of the 4. The second I pick her up she goes quiet and curls up in my hand and falls asleep. the others will eventually quiet down, except for the EE (who is white and looked like some leghorn pics I saw only her skin underneath her feathers is "green") who chirps up a storm and rather run around and explore.

 

[catchthewind]

My Wyandotte is actually super sweet and very quiet. He's my three year olds favorite. Our Australorp is really pretty and I've heard they're great layers.

But hands down so far, my favorites of my chicks are my three Orpingtons (two Lavender and one Buff). None of them are laying age yet, so I can't comment on that, but they are so sweet and curious. The Buff jumps to the top of the brooder when I take the lid off and watches me. The two Lavenders are in another brooder and come to the door to see what I'm up to. They are like the Labradors of the chicken world, only not hyper.

 

[Alexis]

I'd go with five different ones as well... I've had BO, SLW and BA in my flock for a few years, and if I had to pick one out of those three, it would be Buff Orp, hands down. The reason? I'm a sucker for sweet personalities

All three have gone broody, so to me there isn't really much difference there, but my SLW's (who I purchased because I love the gorgeous feathers) are usually in a constant bad mood and my Australorps are too shy and they aren't as social. All three are great layers.

I think you should wait until it's time to split them up to decide. By then you'll find that you're closer to some of them than the others and you won't need our advice at all

 

[MeowCluckBark]

I have no long term experience to offer really. I have 2 SLW chicks. They do well with the chicks that are a week younger than them. Sometimes they peck them on the butt to get through the line of chick sleepers but nothing mean. My best friend has 3 Columbian Wyandottes. I can't remember all three of their names off hand. Zoe and Buffy are the 2 I remember. Zoe is definitely the alpha of the yard. Buffy is currently molting and looks digusting lol. The other gal looks a lot like Buffy but I can't remember her name! Anyway, Buffy came and took the new Jersey Giants pullets under her wing when my friend brought them into the yard. She watched over them and showed them where grass was in the run and where to look for worms. While she is definitely one of the more aggressive hens in the yard, she is also very sweet.

I think it is definitely an individual thing as well as a mix of the personalities. All her hens are handled often and none will ever hurt another beyond the usual pecking order business. They have tons of room as well.

I'm sorry that's not a lot of help. I think that whatever decision you make, you should just go for the one that you want to keep the most. As far as egg production, temperament, broodiness, etc; there are averages and expectations for breeds but people always have exceptions or difference of opinions. My friend's Wyandottes are almost never broody. Her bantams are the broody girls of the yard.

 

[miraclz5]

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And I thought I had it bad, having to have the coop 10 feet from any property line! We live on a very small piece of property, so we have to be creative...but forty feet....that is insane! Thank goodness that is not the case here, or we wouldn't be able to have chickens....ANY chickens!

 

[chena16c]

In Austin, TX its 50ft. My suggestions: make good friends with your neighbors and hopefully they like eggs.

Though, to be fair, the neighbor they're closest too had a pig once...

And yes, I'm in the city limits.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Personally, I'd keep the BA. They are supposed to be better egg layers in the cold weather, like in Idaho. Mine have a good personality and have laid very well. They can still go broody, any of them can, but the BO's are known for going broody. The SLW would not be a bad choice, and if you decide on only one Sex Link, she would be my second choice, partly for her comb in the cold weather (less chance of frostbite) but she will also probably not go broody as much as the BO. My BO's eggs were a little smaller than the others. But I really like my BA's.