INCUBATING w/FRIENDS! w/Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs No problem!

[BusyBearMama]

Have you narrowed it down yet?

Where are you located?
IMHO, climate should be the first consideration in selecting a short list.
I then recommend people not overlook all the great but obscure breeds.
I especially think that way because I just don't want to do what everyone else does.
When I had Welsummers and wanted more dark egg breeds I opted against Marans because so many people have them. That left me with a choice between Barnevelders and Penedesencas.
Easy to hatch would depend on the genetic line.
Dual purpose and tendency to be setters gives you the following:
Java http://www.javabreedersofamerica.com/
Holland http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Holland/BRKHolland.html
Dorking http://dorkingbreedersclub.webs.com/
Faverolle http://faverollesfanciers.webs.com/apps/photos/
Houdan http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Houdan/BRKHoudan.html
Delaware http://delawarepoultryclubunited.weebly.com/
Langshan http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Langshan/BRKLangshan.html
Manx Rumpy http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Rump/BRKRumpless.html 
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Rump/BRKRumpless.html
Cubalaya https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/cubalaya
Australorp
Orpington
Plymouth Rock (though I've never had a rock go broody),

Pretty: pick your variety within the suggested breeds

By the way, Black Penedesencas fit that description too.

My first thought when reading was orpingtons so I'm going to x2 it on these lovely suggestions

 

[Jessimom]

Uggghhh It's already 85 degrees at 10am. It is supposed to go up to 100. I have some work to do out in the coops. I'm wishing I had gone out earlier!!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote:
The other hen who has it has unequivocal ocular Mareks, and this pullet's mother got sick in just this way and died within a day or so (totally surprised me), and when I opened her up (thinking worms or something), she was full of lymphoma-like tumors - liver massively enlarged with tumors throughout, and huge tumors all along the lymph nodes in the abdomen. The sample I took wasn't quite handled right by me, so I opted not to try to send for testing (test probably wouldn't have worked) - I will send this girl for necropsy if/when she passes. It's likely either Marek's or Avian Leukosis, and I'm thinking the former because of the coop-mate's classic ocular Mareks. But I need to know because of some differences in egg transmission.

I always knew that this breed was susceptible to it (vaccination didn't help Paula or Jenny), and so breeding for resistance was the plan from the very beginning. It's just kinda sad to have to deal with (though I've tried not to get attached to them). Five of the pullets are daughters of Paula who died less than 2 weeks after they hatched - the other two are from the girl with ocular Mareks. They are looking good (and good body condition) right now. Perhaps some will be resistant. And I have four younger pullets from the CL hen who is not ill - hanging my hopes on them if the worst happens with the older crew. But unless disaster strikes (e.g., loss of rooster - worry about which is why these were hatched in the first place), I'm not hatching from any of them until they are at least over a year old or older going forward. Same for the other potential mommies and daddies in my flock. I'm waiting until everyone is older and has declared themselves healthy and sturdy through all seasons. I'm watching them all VERY carefully as for many of them, this is their first summer here (I have a young flock).

Of course, getting it down to the most blunt point, no matter WHAT it is for this particular pullet, the rest in her coop are thriving, and she is not, so she does not have the vigor I want in my birds... But yeah. it sucks.

- Ant Farm

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Uggghhh It's already 85 degrees at 10am. It is supposed to go up to 100. I have some work to do out in the coops. I'm wishing I had gone out earlier!!

Have a great day everyone!

Yeah, I've had to switch all chicken chores to mornings before work (which has been rough, as I'm not really that much of a morning person). It's been over 90F until almost 8PM lately, with sundown at 8:30, so evening chores aren't really an option any more. We got lucky with a tiny, brief thunder burst over my house about an hour ago, so things are cooler than they would be right now - I really need to get out there and get some work done.

I just don't wanna...

- Ant Farm

 

[5Sons Coop]

Being under the weather and exhausted last night. I neglected to cover the brooder. The cat dined on baby quail.

 

[lindalouly]

Being under the weather and exhausted last night. I neglected to cover the brooder. The cat dined on baby quail.

Ohhhh I'm so sorry...

 

[LittleLakePhil]

Geez....don't know how you guys do this heat stuff....

 

[BullChick]

The other hen who has it has unequivocal ocular Mareks, and this pullet's mother got sick in just this way and died within a day or so (totally surprised me), and when I opened her up (thinking worms or something), she was full of lymphoma-like tumors - liver massively enlarged with tumors throughout, and huge tumors all along the lymph nodes in the abdomen. The sample I took wasn't quite handled right by me, so I opted not to try to send for testing (test probably wouldn't have worked) - I will send this girl for necropsy if/when she passes. It's likely either Marek's or Avian Leukosis, and I'm thinking the former because of the coop-mate's classic ocular Mareks. But I need to know because of some differences in egg transmission. 

I always knew that this breed was susceptible to it (vaccination didn't help Paula or Jenny), and so breeding for resistance was the plan from the very beginning. It's just kinda sad to have to deal with (though I've tried not to get attached to them). Five of the pullets are daughters of Paula who died less than 2 weeks after they hatched - the other two are from the girl with ocular Mareks. They are looking good (and good body condition) right now. Perhaps some will be resistant. And I have four younger pullets from the CL hen who is not ill - hanging my hopes on them if the worst happens with the older crew. But unless disaster strikes (e.g., loss of rooster - worry about which is why these were hatched in the first place), I'm not hatching from any of them until they are at least over a year old or older going forward. Same for the other potential mommies and daddies in my flock. I'm waiting until everyone is older and has declared themselves healthy and sturdy through all seasons. I'm watching them all VERY carefully as for many of them, this is their first summer here (I have a young flock). 

Of course, getting it down to the most blunt point, no matter WHAT it is for this particular pullet, the rest in her coop are thriving, and she is not, so she does not have the vigor I want in my birds... But yeah. it sucks.

- Ant Farm 

Being under the weather and exhausted last night. I neglected to cover the brooder. The cat dined on baby quail.

 

[LittleLakePhil]

I know...oh well...gasoline under the bridge

Oh I know a lot of people don't realize a smaller motor in a bigger car doesn't equal Better gas mileage....unless your driving all hiway miles down hill....

 

[h2oratt]

Have you narrowed it down yet?

Where are you located?
IMHO, climate should be the first consideration in selecting a short list.
I then recommend people not overlook all the great but obscure breeds.
I especially think that way because I just don't want to do what everyone else does.
When I had Welsummers and wanted more dark egg breeds I opted against Marans because so many people have them. That left me with a choice between Barnevelders and Penedesencas.
Easy to hatch would depend on the genetic line.
Dual purpose and tendency to be setters gives you the following:
Java http://www.javabreedersofamerica.com/
Holland http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Holland/BRKHolland.html
Dorking http://dorkingbreedersclub.webs.com/
Faverolle http://faverollesfanciers.webs.com/apps/photos/
Houdan http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Houdan/BRKHoudan.html
Delaware http://delawarepoultryclubunited.weebly.com/
Langshan http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Langshan/BRKLangshan.html
Manx Rumpy http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Rump/BRKRumpless.html 
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Rump/BRKRumpless.html
Cubalaya https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/cubalaya
Australorp
Orpington
Plymouth Rock (though I've never had a rock go broody),

Pretty: pick your variety within the suggested breeds

By the way, Black Penedesencas fit that description too.

What about Bresse