Opinions of breeds for small flock

[needlessjunk]

I have 5 ducks and I would like to add 2 chickens to get a few eggs. I use duck eggs for almost everything but I still like chickens eggs my ducks are loud enough so I was looking for something fairly quiet and not large as my ducks range from 4-6lbs. I have been trying to figure out what would be good but I get contradicting info from Google. I am interested in Easter eggers, black australorp or maybe gold sexlink. I'm in TX and it gets hot in the summer and winters aren't bad. Is there some place that lists a comparison of the breeds?

 

[Blackberry18]

Check these out:

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/breed-list.aspx

They have good info on the breeds and help you select one to fit your needs.

 

[needlessjunk]

Check these out: 

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/breed-list.aspx

They have good info on the breeds and help you select one to fit your needs. 

Thank you, that does help a bit. Do you have any opinions?

 

[Blackberry18]

I live up north where it gets really cold, so I'm only familiar with cold-hardy breeds rather than heat-hardy. However, I have Red and Black Sex-Links, they are fantastic layers, docile, and nice to look at. I also have Barred Rocks, they are friendly and good layers. And last but not least, some White Leghorns, which I really love. Not only are they great layers of large white eggs, but they are the friendliest breed of chicken I've had. They jump on my lap, and want to be stroked. Skittish, but friendly, like most Mediterranean breeds. All my chickens follow me around wherever I go. Also, I've never had this breed before (though I may get a couple of chicks this weekend), I've heard that New Hampshires are really good. They are beautiful, good layers, and I've read that their personalities are very unique; differing with each bird. Some of my friends have them, one of them (the friend I'm going to buy mine from, who is now a certified hatchery) said she prefers them to Rhode Island Reds, which you have to buy from a breeder in order to get the dark, mahogany red plumage. Hope this helped, I've also heard good reviews about the Australorps and Easter Eggers.

 

[needlessjunk]

I live up north where it gets really cold, so I'm only familiar with cold-hardy breeds rather than heat-hardy. However, I have Red and Black Sex-Links, they are fantastic layers, docile, and nice to look at. I also have Barred Rocks, they are friendly and good layers. And last but not least, some White Leghorns, which I really love. Not only are they great layers of large white eggs, but they are the friendliest breed of chicken I've had. They jump on my lap, and want to be stroked. Skittish, but friendly, like most Mediterranean breeds. All my chickens follow me around wherever I go. Also, I've never had this breed before (though I may get a couple of chicks this weekend), I've heard that New Hampshires are really good. They are beautiful, good layers, and I've read that their personalities are very unique; differing with each bird. Some of my friends have them, one of them (the friend I'm going to buy mine from, who is now a certified hatchery) said she prefers them to Rhode Island Reds, which you have to buy from a breeder in order to get the dark, mahogany red plumage. Hope this helped, I've also heard good reviews about the Australorps and Easter Eggers. 

Thank you. I have read mixed reviews of the EE with their egg laying. My ducks lay white and green/grey eggs so I'm not as big into colored eggs. I guess I'll just get whatever they have at the feed store during next weeks shipment.

 

[junebuggena]

I have barred rocks, Australorps, and Easter Eggers. The Australorps are definitely the most timid and non-assertive and they won't go foraging unless everyone else is. My barred rocks are always finding new things to get into. They are very inquisitive. My Easter Eggers are the most assertive in the pecking order, they forage well and don't get into nearly as much trouble as the Rock girls.

 

[needlessjunk]

I have barred rocks, Australorps, and Easter Eggers. The Australorps are definitely the most timid and non-assertive and they won't go foraging unless everyone else is. My barred rocks are always finding new things to get into. They are very inquisitive. My Easter Eggers are the most assertive in the pecking order, they forage well and don't get into nearly as much trouble as the Rock girls.

I love barred rocks, I think they are so pretty. I think for sure I will get an australorp and play it by ear for the other. Or maybe just get 3... I can't let chicken math take over, lol. I have two young boys so docile is important. Thank you everyone for your stores! There are just so many breeds and not enough space.

 

[Michael OShay]

Murray McMurray has an excellent "chick selector" tool at https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chick_selector.html to help you determine the best breeds for you. Just be sure and click on show more characteristics. Even if you don't purchase your birds from MM, the "chick selector" is still a valuable tool to use. Black Australorps would be an excellent breed as they are extremely hardy. I've raised them where summer temperatures frequently reached 117-118 F (sometimes more), and while my other dual purpose breeds were listless, panting, and holding their wings out from their sides, my BAs were going about their usual business like troopers (not surprising since they are commonly raised in the Australian outback where summer temperatures get very hot). If you eecide to go with sex links, I personally prefer the Black Sex Links (Black Stars) to the Red (Gold) Sex Links as my Blacks have been friendlier and have typically had a longer laying life. Both varieties have been my best layers, consistently laying over 300 eggs per hen per year. Whatever breed of chicken you decide to get, good luck with your flock.