Opinion on flock addition

[ourflockof4]

We are going to be adding to our layer flock shortly and I would like your though on what we are thinking. We currently have 2 black sex linked hens, 1 buff orp hen & 1 buff orp roo (2 pekins & meaties too but they don't count, lol) We are thinking of adding 6-8 more layers. We need a cold tolerant breed and we would prefer them to be somewhat docile since the kids will probably want to play with them

. The wife want some white eggs and we thought it would be nice to have a variety of bird & egg colors. So here is what we are thinking

2 - EE's, 1- Golden Campine, 1-Barred Rock, 1- White Leghorn, 1-Salom Fav, 1-Welsummer

Any thought? We will be getting them from Meyer since they are close by

 

[gryeyes]

Your choices are good. Why not a Cochin - they's fluffy! (Cold hardy, affectionate, and adorable.)

I also like Black Australorp.

 

[patandchickens]

I don't know how "cold hardy" you are wanting them to be, but campines (even the hens) have considerable combs and small bodies. My campine hen spends all winter snuggling up under the big sussex roo's wing at night

Ditto with the leghorn. Not saying don't do it, just saying, these are not THE most cold-tolerant critters.

Generally anything pea- or rose-combed will deal with cold much better than anything singlecombed. Some pea- or rose-combed breeds (in addition to your EE's, although some EEs are actually singlecombed) would include Brahma, Wyandotte, Buckeye, Chantecler, that sort of thing, for whatever it's worth.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[ourflockof4]

Thanks for the info. We are in north central Ohio, so the don't need to be extremely cold tolerant. Their coop will be out of the wind for the most part, and will be insulated.

The reason for the leghorn & campine was their white eggs. Should they do ok in the area that we are in or should we look for something else? Any other ideas for a white egg layer then?

Thank you