Just joined in Colorado Springs

[misterNmissesT]

Hi,
We have raised chickens in the past and are looking to start again. I miss my birds, they have the best personalities!
I would like to try Speckled Sussex (red) and am interested in learning about other heardy, large egg layers. So, any suggestions would be appreciated.
Also I would love to know if anyone has any young layers they would be willing to part with.
Thank you. We are looking forward to this great new journey with BYC!
The Misses

 

[N F C]

Welcome to BYC!

You might try your state thread to find birds close by you. Here's the link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/68894/colorado

As for other heavy breeds, the Black Australorps, Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks are nice.

Glad to have you join and welcome back to chickens!

 

[kbarrett]

Welcome to BYC and hello from Pennsylvania

I'm trying some new breeds myself this time around. I have my usual white leghorns and golden comets, and now have a couple Rhode Island Red's, a black Australorp, 3 Easter Eggers and a couple of Ancona's. I found it really helpful to read the reviews in the breed section.

I really like Colorado Springs. All of my in-laws are in CO. My husbands parents are in Pueblo and siblings are in Longmont. When we visit his folks we always go up to the springs to shop on the base (he's retired air force) and take a ride through the Garden of the Gods. I also LOVE the chapel at the academy.

 

[chicmom]

Hello and welcome from Ohio!

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X3 on check out your state thread NorthFlChick linked for you for local birds.
Breed wise... for egg numbers alone, the Red Sex Links (Golden Comet, Red Stars, ISA Browns etc) for brown eggs are probably the most popular layers around some version of them is usually pretty easy to find no matter where you are, farm stores tend to carry them in the spring.
For regular breeds, Black Australorps and Orpingtons are two lots of people really like, good layers, nice temperaments and great pets, though they are broody. Plymouth Rocks are another good choice, Sussex like you mentioned (love the Speckled color), and Wyandottes are another popular breed that is usually a good winter layer and they come in lots of pretty colors also. The Easter Egger, often sold as Ameraucana by hatcheries, are a fun breed because they usually lay green/blue eggs the hatchery ones are usually quite good layers also.
Here are a couple of links to some nice chicken breed comparison charts you might like http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html and http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf and http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/breed-list.aspx
when you have narrowed down your choices, don't forget to check the BYC Reviews section for member reviews on the different breeds. https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/category/chicken-breeds

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. I've had Speckled Susex and they are great birds; hardy, friendly and gentle (my children made lap pets of ours), and good layers of large, brown eggs. For sheer egg production, I would recommend Black Sex Links (Black Stars) as they are hardy and friendly, egg laying machines. I've raised them for years (along with dozens of other breeds and hybrids), and they have been my best layers, consistently churning out over 300 eggs per bird per year; and there eggs have been, on average, the largest of all the hens I've had (sometimes even giving me double yolks). If you prefer a standard breed (BSLs are hybrids which won't breed true so you would have to replenish your stock by ordering from the hatchery), I would suggest Black Australorps. They are extremely hardy, calm and gentle (my children, and now my granddaughter, made lap pets of ours), and the best layers of the standard, brown egg laying breeds. A Black Australorp holds the brown egg laying record with 364 eggs in 365 days, and while none of mine have ever reached that level of production (and likely never will), I've still had a few of them lay over 300 eggs in a year. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

So glad you could join our community!!

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!

I would personally recommend the Wyandotte. Wyandottes come in many beautiful color patterns, are docile, are hardy in both heat and cold, and (at least in my experience) lay 300+ eggs a year. Other great breeds include Sex-links, Easter Eggers, Australorps, Orpingtons, and Plymouth Rocks.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! We're all here to help.