looking for a good laying flock

[internationalfarmer]

what breeds do you reccomend? i think at the most i would like 10. thanks

 

[speckledhen]

Barred Rocks would be my #1 choice, followed by Buff Orpingtons, RIRs and Wyandottes (Silver or Gold Laced tend to lay better than the Blue Laced Red, I hear) I have all of those breeds, plus others, but for a limited flock those would be my choices. My original flock was 10 girls in those varieties.

 

[internationalfarmer]

what about cochins?

 

[speckledhen]

Cochins are not quite as productive, in general, as the other breeds and they tend to go broody much more than the ones I listed. In fact, among the ones I listed, only Buff Orps really have much broody tendencies and with hatchery stock these days, some of that has been bred out of most of them. If you want a broody, then a Cochin or two would be good. If you like Cochins alot, by all means, include a couple in your list. You should enjoy the ones you get, not just aim for egg production, but if production is halfway important to you, then the ones I listed will do the job.

 

[scgamecock]

I agree with Speckled hen.One thing I would like to add is a white wyandotte and also a Delaware.I have a couple of both and they are really sweet lovable girls and they lay large eggs.If you don't mind them not being pure breeds then add a couple of black and red sexlinks to your flock.They lay lots of really large eggs and have a long laying season.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Are you wanting to limit yourself to ONE breed, or would a mixed flock be more to your liking. Do you want just brown/ just white or a mix. How important is egg production?

If going with just one I would agree with Rocks(more colorfull) or RIR

If mixing I would do the mixed flock I would drop the rocks and put in a 2 Cuckoo Marans(about the same color but should get a darker egg), 2 RIR, 2 EE's or Amerucanas or Arucanas(for a nice blue/green egg) not a gaurantee of color with EE, but the other two are harder to come by. 2 Leghorns for consistant laying of white eggs. and 2. Australopes

Or you could do 1 of 10 breeds. How could I forget Brahmas, Orphingtons(pick a color), Buckeyes, Delawares, Welsomers etc.......