New Jersey Giants - questions!

[yinepu]

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Between those three I prefer the Orps..

Okay, and why would you say that you prefer the Orps above the others?

I love their personalities.. between the three my orps have been the best mothers and have also have been broody the most.. though nothing beats my silkies or bantam cochins for being broody and excellent mothers..
My orp girls have also been the best layers.. laying all winter for me when the Jerseys stopped.. I also love the personalities of the Orp roos.. makes it hard to choose one to keep when I have extra boys and need to send some to freezer camp
My Austrlorp roo just didnt have the body mass that my orp roos do.. yeah they were nice birds otherwise.. but I prefer a really stocky dual purpose bird.. and they just didnt measure up to my orps.. could have been just a bad bloodline.. so you may find that they are better in your area

 

[ChickenCanoe]

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This is so true. What I've written is my experience and mostly breed characteristics.
Individual birds can vary a lot.
Supposedly the best layer in history was an Australorp but most don't measure up to that standard.
I've read JGs aren't the best layers but mine have been MY best layers.
My Ameraucanas seemed to jump over the pullet stage and laid a large egg from day one.

If you're looking for pets you might not want to consider some of the breeds I suggested. I like it when I can work closely with my birds but they're not pets. I have birds for eggs and meat.
I hate seeing birds suffer in heat when they're meant for colder climates, so if it never got cold where I live I wouldn't have the likes of Jaerhons, Wyandottes and Chanteclers.
In Missouri it can be well below zero and well over 100, both with high humidity so there isn't a best bird here. I have a variety and the cold hardies I keep well shaded and cool as possible right now and those with huge combs I try to keep as warm as possible on the coldest nights but I don't coddle for cold, just try to keep frostbite at bay.

Good luck on your choice.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

If you want broody I hear Ranchhand is thee person to ask about silkies on this board.

I don't know this person but I hear they can make any chicken go broody.

 

[BackyardBirds720]

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So it looks like it may be between Delawares and Brahmas. Although I do like the rose comb.