Looking for a new breed to try

[Queen of the chickens]

Light Brahmas and Cochins would be my choice. My Cochins have just started laying so I can't say with certainty how they lay. Mine seem to be holding their own. Our Brahams were excellent layers. They were social and curious. They love to forage and run around like happy little dinosaurs. Our Rooster did get a little over protective of his girls, but I think he was unusual for the breed in that respect. They also have rose combs and feathered feet and are very pretty birds.

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

I really like the wyndottes but for the table I have decided to try and get more from heritage stock. I bought BLRW from someone who bought the parents from a breeder and those chickens have a few more pounds than my hatchery stock. I only had one frost bite rooster (turken) but otherwise everyone else was very cold hardy. I also really like my turken but again you have to find the right stock. I heard the flock he came from lays nice big brown eggs but they were unwilling to sell me a hen so I bought a few in Waverly.... Boy do those turkens NOT measure up, they are half the size and I only ended up with one female!


Good luck on your search!

 

[kingsfarm]

I have not seen "buff Orpingtons" mentioned...why..they are a very Hearty breed, meaty, gentle and broody (only one of the four I have has hatched eggs)....am investing in "Isa Browns" for egg production...lay consistantly...extra large eggs.. don't know about the cold though, I am in the South.....they are meaty also...has anyone tried them....? I would go Buff's for cold...they did well this summer in 100 degree weather also...added a fan in hen house and they kept right on laying...

 

[Fred's Hens]

Wyandottes would get my nod, I think. The Rocks shouldn't be overlooked. My experience with ISA Browns is that there is no rival for egg laying, friendly to a fault, great with kids, forage extremely well, (a trait often overlooked), but have rather tight feathering as they are bred for the commercial industry. Cold hardy, but only to a point. Absolutely nothing to eat, however, when butchered. So, on balance? Cannot meet your requirements.

The Speckled Sussex experiment we went through was difficult. Wouldn't lay a large egg. Wouldn't lay in winter to speak of. Good carcass and outstanding foraging. Again, on balance? Likely wouldn't meet your requirements.

Buckeye is cold hardy and nice carcass, but laying is only fair to Midland.

Which takes us back to Wyandottes and Rocks. EE's can lay well, but you'd have to know the strain.

 

[pdbantam]

Quote:
How are your chickens as far as laying? I've been considering getting one or the other.

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

My Barred Rocks have been my friendliest, I can sit in their run, pat my legs and they will come & hop up for a pet & cuddle. They were the first to start laying, just before 18 weeks (I was shocked).
What I thought interesting is, all were the same age when I got them 2 weeks old, but my girls are small, medium & large, which helps to determine who is who. My middle one laid first, then the large, and the third started laying a week and a half ago.

I got BO, because they were a chunky hen, and I love the way they waddle when they come running to me for treats. I may be on the look out for one of my BO's to start laying soon, our roo was doing his man dance around one of them tonight. I hope so, because I think my 3 BR are getting tired of the back rides.

He has been a bit exuberant with them the last week.