Newbie looking for quite prolific breed

[newcanaanchicks]

Will be buying 4 hens for backyard. Need quite layers that are gentle. Research says that the Opringtons fit the bill but are quite broody. How about Rhode Island Reds, Delaware, and Araucana? I live in Southeast CT, where we can get some good cold snaps.
Any thoughts would help.

 

[Michael OShay]

If you are open to hybrids, then I would suggest Black Sex Links (Black Stars). They are hardy, calm, egg laying machines, and they can be sexed by color at hatching. Male chicks are black with a white spot on top of their heads and female chicks are solid black. The Black and Red Sex Links are the brown egg layers used by commercial laying houses because they are so prolific (my Blacks have been calmer and friendlier than my Reds which is why I'm recommending the Black Sex Links instead of the Red Sex Links. If you want a standard breed, as hybrids won't breed true, then I would suggest Black Australorps. They are very hardy, calm and gentle (my children, and now my granddaughter, made lap pets of ours), and they are the best layers of the standard, brown egg laying breeds. Whatever breed you decide to get, good luck with your flock.

 

[1muttsfan]

If you are looking for heritage chickens, then I would endorse Delawares - they are friendly, and produce lots of big brown eggs. Black sex-links are also nice if you don't necessarily want purebreds.

 

[newcanaanchicks]

Thank you for all the advice.

 

[Michael OShay]

Thank you for all the advice.

You're welcome.

 

[Y N dottes]

also if you want, u can get a couple different breeds to decide what u like best for future reference