New member starting a flock

[silvercitydude]

Good People,
Thank you for your help and forgive my ignorance. I am hoping to start a flock of chickens. We have a nice patch of family land that has large covered aviarys my grandfather used to raise peacocks in. I can keep chickens in these nice large foragable pens or let them free range. I want my hens to go broody and be good mothers, I want my roosters to protect. I like eggs, but am much more interested in flock growing and using birds for meat as flock grows. I am looking for info on breeds that might fit, or multiple breeds. I am not overly concerned about a pure line. I am in SC. I should mention I am already raising Mucovy ducks. They are awesome and Bob White quail, the are not awesome.

Thanks for all your help and knowledge.

 

[jimbob86]

A dual purpose breed that broods well, with protective roos ..... not concerned with a pure line ......

Orpington hens and a Barred Rock roo?

 

[calpal212]

If you like eggs and want broody mothers I would suggest a mixed flock of leghorns (for eggs) and cochins (for good mothers) as for a rooster I would look online for an older roo that people are trying to get rid of that you know it is protective

 

[drumstick diva]

Roosters are only protective to a point- they aren't going to defeat most predators. So the flock would still be in danger. The best a rooster can do is sound the alarm so his hens will run and hide, if possible.

 

[silvercitydude]

I have someone who has offered a cukoo maran rooster. I also have someone who will trade me amerecaunas or barred rocks hens for some quail. Any thoughts on those breeds. I think I should relist my priority.

1. Mothering
2. Carcass
3. Eggs
My space is well protected from larger predators. Would love a rooster that would harrass old Mr. No Shoulders (snake) when he comes around
Thank you for all your great feedback already.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Quote:
If you take the BR hens, get yourself a nice rooster that can be put over them to result in sex linked chicks (one of the most common is to use a RIR or NHR, but there are plenty of options - you can refer to this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/261208/sex-linked-information for some great information) -- that would eliminate the offered Maran.

 

[CLSranch]

I switched to Dark Cornish because of the what some call excessive broodieness and I can eat the extra cockerels. Having a barred rock roo in the mix wouldn't hurt.

 

[N F C]

Thanks for joining us and good luck with your plans!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!