New member from SW Washington

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Michael OShay said:
Based on your criteria, I would suggest one of the really docile breeds that lay well and have a well deserved reputation for being friendly, calm, and gentle, such as Australorps, Orpingtons, Brahmas, Sussex, and Faverolles. All of these breeds are potential lap pets. Of the breeds on this list, Australorps are the best layers. A Black Australorp holds the brown egg laying record with 364 eggs in 365 days.
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I agree with everything Michael OShay has said but I also recommend Barred Rocks.
 
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Welcome to BYC!
frow.gif
We're glad to have you.

One breed that I would recommend is the Wyandotte. Mine have been docile and personable birds that aren't skittish. They have been very good egg layers, even though they are now over four years old. Mine have produced about 250 eggs per year, with one of them reaching 299 eggs in her first year. Wyandottes are cold hardy and do fine in heat as well. My Wyandottes have the most inquisitive and interesting personalities of all my birds. I would definitely recommend them!
 
Michael OShay said:
Based on your criteria, I would suggest one of the really docile breeds that lay well and have a well deserved reputation for being friendly, calm, and gentle, such as Australorps, Orpingtons, Brahmas, Sussex, and Faverolles. All of these breeds are potential lap pets. Of the breeds on this list, Australorps are the best layers. A Black Australorp holds the brown egg laying record with 364 eggs in 365 days.
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Thanks for those recommendations, I had been looking at the first 4 breeds, will add the additional suggestions to my list. (I realize each chicken can have an individual personality).

We have a local business, The Urban Farm Store, in Portland, Oregon. The owners wrote the book, 'A Chicken in Every Yard'.
They sell pullets. While I like the idea of chicks, I also like the idea of no rooster.
I thought about purchasing the pullets through them, after asking about their sources. I will also look for local breeders.

I hope pullets can be socialized, or I will think about getting sexed chicks instead, with a 10% risk of getting a rooster.
 
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Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! If you are going to keep your hens as pets when they are done laying well, you might consider spacing out when you get them all by a year or two. Hens will continue to produce eggs, just at a reduced rate, when they are older... the heritage type breeds especially. Generally they figure that a hen will produce about half the eggs at age five as she did at a year old. If you do not add light in the winter they won't lay eggs then, but they will continue to lay more evenly number wise in the summer in their later years. Pullets will generally continue to lay eggs in the winter even without added light.
 
Kelsie2290 said:
Hello
frow.gif
and Welcome To BYC! If you are going to keep your hens as pets when they are done laying well, you might consider spacing out when you get them all by a year or two. Hens will continue to produce eggs, just at a reduced rate, when they are older... the heritage type breeds especially. Generally they figure that a hen will produce about half the eggs at age five as she did at a year old. If you do not add light in the winter they won't lay eggs then, but they will continue to lay more evenly number wise in the summer in their later years. Pullets will generally continue to lay eggs in the winter even without added light.
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That makes sense!

I found out that the Urban Farm Store actually sells chicks, but they say 'pullet' because they are sexed (90%).

I planned on getting 3 to start. That way if one croaks, there are still two, and I understand they are social and like at least one other chicken around.
But I will build my coop to accommodate 10-15.

Does that sound like a good idea?
 
yes, I love bantams, and cochins and buff orfingtons, well, all the colorful ones. I need to find a supplier locally (Long Beach , Washington- ) idon't want to have them shipped.
 

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