I'm starting over. Help me decide what breeds to go with please

[TOMTE]

I'm looking on Ideal Poultry website. Are the Black Star, Red Star, Golden Star ect the Sex links?

Yup!

 

[GalvestonWader]

Well this stinks. I was getting ready to order from ideal but they are completely sold out of everything until August 20th

 

[Iluveggers]

Well this stinks. I was getting ready to order from ideal but they are completely sold out of everything until August 20th

Wow that was fast. Friday they had lots of July dates listed…May want to do the online chat and see if they have any small amounts not listed (available on mobile website).

 

[ValkerieGunn]

My TSC got chicks today maybe check farm stores if you want them sooner.

 

[2 Acres]

If you are going w a hatchery, I would order asap. Ideal and Mt Healthy have some limited availability in late summer/fall. Ideal is in Texas like you.

I personally have never owned a Rhode Island Red, only because I have heard they can be agressive to other breeds, and we have a mixed flock. Sex links give you lots of large eggs also, and don’t seem to generally be agressive. Ideal has Black, Blue, Red, Gold & Brown sex links so you could get a variety of colors.

If you want heritage breeds, I love Plymouth Rocks (we have 2 Barred Rocks) and Australorps. They are very good layers and friendly.

I do have to make a comment about the naked necks…my husband was upset when I ordered one, because “they look weird”, but now she is his favorite! She is spunky and sweet, likes being held, is friendly but not overwhelming, and gets along great with the other hens. I ordered another Naked Neck since we love her so much! (Totally understand if you can’t get over the funny look though).

If you like puffy cheeks/muffs, maybe consider Easter Eggers as well. For very friendly with a good amount of eggs, Orpingtons can’t be beat. Speckled Sussex is also a very friendly breed, and would have the beauty you are looking for! They do a good job laying, also!

Good luck! Let us know what you decide on, and where you find them! (If you really can’t decide, 6 individual breeds would work. Mixed flocks are great!

Definitely Speckled Sussex. You might get 3 years out of a production red. My GLW's can be a bit cantankerous and nippy. So sadly not good for young kids.

 

[2 Acres]

Definitely Speckled Sussex. You might get 3 years out of a production red. My GLW's can be a bit cantankerous and nippy. So sadly not good for young kids.

 

[2 Acres]

I like the Dominique breed also. Slightly energetic. They will however cuddle in my lap

 

[Ilovechickens2525]

Look up silverudds, they lay very well, minty green eggs and are very friendly. They do well in the heat too.

 

[2 Acres]

Black Australorp is berry mellow and content

 

[GalvestonWader]

My TSC got chicks today maybe check farm stores if you want them sooner.

Looks like that's what I am going to have to do. I'm on the call list at a few local feed stores that are supposed to get chicks in the next day or two. They wont be the breeds I wanted but I dont want to wait until late summer for a hatchery either. Unless yall can recommend another reputable hatchery not too terribly far from me?

I had decided on a combination of Black Star, Red Star, Easter Egger, Buff Orpington, GLW and Barnevelder.