It's almost time to order chicks....but what kind?!?

if you want real answers do a search...if you want our current opinions...well then...OEGB!!!!

I am editing cuz that sounded rude! I meant like research the breeds like on fethersite or here or soemthing...dang I am rude!

BUT WELCOME! really the rest are friendly

gotta edit again...just order like 5 of everything!

 

My best layers are Isa Browns from Towline Hatchery in Michigan. I also like buff orpingtons. It's so fun ordering new chicks and picking out different breeds! Have fun.

 

I'd have to go with Polish again, but I know how hard it can be to go for another of the same breed after you just lost one. Eh, not that there's much of a difference, but Sultans are sweet. You're going to get a lot of people forcing Silkies on you, too, just don't cave in to those evil things like I did. Steal your sole, they will.


Egg layers? Australorps (sp?) are great layers. Our girl is a mix and I hear the pure breds lay over 320 eggs a year, if memory serves. Nice dispositions, too.

I've always been a fan of crested breeds for pets. What character they have!

 

I have been looking at these...
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Favs/BRKFaverolles.html

 

The bantams are really cute...
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1046631803033791576aDpCsI

 

For pets you can't go wrong with japanese bantams. All mine are extremely friendly including the roos and I actually have a trio in the house. Downside is their small size can make it difficult to mix them with a standard size flock (hatchery japs tend to be a bit bigger) and they don't handle the cold real well. They were good down to about 0-10F this winter and as soon as it hit negatives every roo started to frostbite and they were all shivering. Which is how they end up in my house in the first place. Now I just don't want them to leave. Surprisingly despite their lack of cold hardiness they have all been laying through winter even when out in the coop. The hens in the coop have given me an egg a day without fail even in the dead of winter. Now that they are all old enough to lay I have bantam eggs everywhere. I ate a dozen just so I wouldn't set them and then set 16 and I already have another carton nearly full.

 

I hear that RIRs and Leghorns are the best layers but the least friendly. Buff Orpingtons are my FAVORITES and they are good layers and so sweet. I have heard wonderful things about Australorps, I'm not sure why I never got any. If I ever place another chick order, I will deff get some. They're supposed to be great layers and very friendly. Wyandottes are gorgeous, and supposed to be friendly and good layers as well.
Good luck! Ordering new chicks is such fun!

 

I've got three RIR and two of them are spoiled rotten and want to be held all the time, the third could care less about me so long as I have food. I'm getting a bunch of RIRs because they really are great layers and pretty birds. I'm also getting some more Buff Orps because they are so friendly, good layers and pretty, pretty girls. Just saw my first Buff Orp roo the other day and that boy was HUGE!!!

 

Salmon Faverolles, bantam or LF. They are wonderful in all climates and gentle sweet birds. They are good year round layers and are not obsessively broody.