need advice on adding to my flock

[chickenmomma6]

What's your general geographical location?

northern Michigan, summer can get hot. winters usually snowy and sometimes super cold sometimes not so bad

 

[sylviethecochin]

Have you looked at Henderson's chicken breed chart? https://www.scribd.com/document/301402397/Hendersons-Chicken-Chart

 

[Vickity907]

Someone said above that chicks are cheaper.... But in the long run I don't know if they are.... If you buy chicks it costs a lot of money to keep them fed for 20 weeks ( or so) until they start laying. I have hatched eggs, bought chicks and bought hens that are already laying and all come with different risks. Hatching eggs can yield low hatch rates and baby chicks have to be fed forever. ( Something my husband is currently fussing about) and laying hens may not get along with others or carry sickness from previous flock. As for what breed to go with.... I haven't found a chicken I don't love I have buff orphintons, wyandottes, RIR, Easter Eggers (LOVE THOSE). Good LUCK!!!

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I would just stay away from anything with super large combs! I agree with @sylviethecochin Easter Eggers are really nice. It's kind of exciting to because the patterns are different and you never know what color egg they'll lay until they do! Wyandottes have really pretty lacing and are cold tolerant! It would probably be best to look around your area and see what you can find right now and then pick! That way you don't get your heart set on something you can't find.

 

[chickenmomma6]

I would just stay away from anything with super large combs! I agree with @sylviethecochin Easter Eggers are really nice. It's kind of exciting to because the patterns are different and you never know what color egg they'll lay until they do! Wyandottes have really pretty lacing and are cold tolerant! It would probably be best to look around your area and see what you can find right now and then pick! That way you don't get your heart set on something you can't find.

awesome thank you. I've heard about the different colored eggs from Easter eggers, that would be kind cool. definitely want a breed that can handle cold cuz michigan is so all over the place lol

 

[Shorty22366]

I am going to get some Easter Eggers. I have silkies, favorellas,cochin,and sebrights right now
I love them all.
Mine are just pets too

 

[Vickity907]

awesome thank you. I've heard about the different colored eggs from Easter eggers, that would be kind cool. definitely want a breed that can handle cold cuz michigan is so all over the place lol

I live in Alaska and my Wyandottes, Black Austarlorp and Easter Egger made it through -20 this Winter all the others are spring chicks.....You can Google Cold hardy chicken breed and about 15 will come up

 

[New2Chicks97]

My favorites are my Easter Eggers because they are pretty colors and have sweet calmer personalities.

My Silver Laced Wyandottes have the prettiest feathers though. Their coloring and pattern is very striking.

Good luck finding some new girls to add to your flock

 

[BreezyBre]

Lavendar Orpington's make pretty docile pets and lovely eggs

 

[chickenmomma6]

I live in Alaska and my Wyandottes, Black Austarlorp and Easter Egger made it through -20 this Winter all the others are spring chicks.....You can Google Cold hardy chicken breed and about 15 will come up

awesome thank you