Need a breed recommendation!

[Lucy4]

I have four 9 month old pullets: two BO's, and two EE's. I'm thinking of adding a couple more next year, but not sure if I want to try a new breed or not. These are my requirements:

1) Cold-hardy birds.

2) Good layers

3) The most important! Breeds that are known to make good "pets". I know a big part of that is the time you put into caring for your birds, and I certainly do. My kids play with them all the time, so I like to make 'em friendly. My BO's are totally wonderful. They are so good with the kids. One of my EE's is a sweetie, and the other is the opposite. She used to attack me, until I gave her a couple thwacks on the head and now she at least has some respect. I've heard with ameraucanas that there's not much of a standard when it comes to personality, since they're bred for egg color anyway. ? (I will say that both EE's are fabulous layers.)

Anyway... does anyone have a recommendation? I'll be joint ordering with a pal from McMurray, so plenty of options there! Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Tanichca]

I would try mypetchicken.com. there is a breed selector tool there, and you can pick the basic characteristics of your bird or birds ( cold hardy, broodiness, how many eggs you want it to lay in a week, rare/fancy, how docile,ect.) and it will find birds that match your preferences. hope this helps!

 

[emzee]

I don't know how cold-hardy either of these breeds are, since I live in Georgia, but I think either Australorps or Rhode Islands would be a good choice. They both lay a lot of eggs and can be docile depending on how much you handle them. I have a Rhode Island hen that is as sweet as can be.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Can't beat Plymouth Rocks. You can get them in a variety of color patterns (barred, blue, black, white, splash, partridge, buff). They are VERY friendly, curious critters and are cold hardy

I have them in Blue, Black, Splash, Barred and Partridge

 

[Lucy4]

Thanks, y'all! That's a great site, and I really appreciate the other rec's as well. Now I have something to limit my research down to, and that's very helpful.

 

[Cetawin]

Black Australorps - I have 7 of them...love them and great layers, good pets and quiet (or so mine are)

 

[wing it]

try looking here http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html its henderson's breed chart lot of breeds and info

 

[cubalaya]

black jersey giants

 

[matthewschickens]

CALIFORNIA WHITES

They are very friendly and lay tons of eggs!!! and I am not sure about how cold hardy they are?

Matthew

 

[Lucy4]

This is great. Thanks everyone!