Looking into ordering female chicks from hatchery; need advice

[cubalaya]

A few ideal pullets free ranging today

 

[Galaxy_rules]

Hello,

I'm looking into buying young female hens from a hatchery.
I've incubated successfully 3 times before.
But it is really difficult to re-home the roosters.
I am not zoned for them.
I freaking like how cool the barn-yard mix ones look.
Always unique creatures, no two are ever alike.
Maybe one day I can move to an area with that kind of zoning.

So I thought I would give buying from a hatchery a try.

I mainly want my hens for the eggs, not the meat.


So; what breed has the best combination of :
1. A good size egg
2. Lays for a good amount of years
3. Lays consistently

I look forward to your suggestions, thanks

Australorps

 

[Guy with a Rooster]

An update on these 5.
Placed them outside Tuesday.
Its hot.
They seem to be doing well.

 

[Guy with a Rooster]

First time I have ever been able to integrate new chickens with an older one.
Tried it three times before with two different hens .
Absolute aggression.

I figured it was my smallest adult hen and she was never the aggressive one from her small group of three that I incubated her from.

One of the chicks kept sizing her up and staring her down for the first two days.
Hilarious.
But now they behave as two separate groups.
No signs of violence.
So far so good.
Hopefully they all become friends before the Barred Rocks grow up.
They are going to out grow my barnyard mix hen and definitely out weigh her.

 

[Guy with a Rooster]

The face off

 

[fuzzi]

An update on these 5.
Placed them outside Tuesday.
Its hot.
They seem to be doing well.

Love the "all legs" stage!


My Dominique girls are as big as the Sussex!

 

[Iluveggers]

The face off

You ordered all pullets, correct? That one has a pretty big comb for 5-6 weeks old!

 

[rural mouse]

Hello,

I'm looking into buying young female hens from a hatchery.
I've incubated successfully 3 times before.
But it is really difficult to re-home the roosters.
I am not zoned for them.
I freaking like how cool the barn-yard mix ones look.
Always unique creatures, no two are ever alike.
Maybe one day I can move to an area with that kind of zoning.

So I thought I would give buying from a hatchery a try.

I mainly want my hens for the eggs, not the meat.


So; what breed has the best combination of :
1. A good size egg
2. Lays for a good amount of years
3. Lays consistently

I look forward to your suggestions, thanks

Definitely agree with previous post re: heritage breeds and hatcheries.

For breeds, avoid any leghorn/leghorn derived "breeds" (unless you can get directly from Italy, US has bred for high production/short life). Avoid sex-links, stars, production, and popular breeds. Aim for between 150 and 225 eggs a year. The breeds producing 250+ tend to have shorter lifespans. Check with heritage concervancy re: any breed you're unsure about. If it's not listed, it's new and will likely have a short lifespan/reproductive problems (soft shelled eggs, shell-less eggs, egg binding, ovarian cancer). Keep in mind these are generalities. Exceptions occur on both sides of it and if you fall in love with a particular breed, go for it.

 

[Guy with a Rooster]

Took these last week .
Will take some closer to the wire mesh so you get a better look.


Oh , and rmRural Mouse; thanks for the advise. Will definitely keep those things in mind.
I'm already thinking about the next batch.
I want blue Eggers, the bluer the egg the better.