Pick my Egg Laying Breed! (And a Rooster too!)

[JadeFarms]

Every chicken has its own temperament but alotta breeds have similar characteristics and alotta breeds are well known for certain characteristics.I would scratch Rhode Island reds,their often aggressive(escpecially males) but lay good.The best bird I think for beginners are Orpingtons.Lavender or Buff,pretty consist with laying and great personality not overly aggressive and friendly.The males are good too from what I hear.Easter Eggers (and Americanas),are often flighty and I have not had much good luck with them.Americanas so far have had about the same temperament as an Easter egger,and even with me hand feeding birds they still grow up nuts,almost impossible to get them to calm.The last two roosters I had (Americana and Easter egger)Were both good for the hens but were bat crazy.The rooster I have now is an Americana and is very laid back and not nearly as hype as my last two.My Easter egger hen is crazy/bipolar.One minute she’s in my lap eating out my hand,next she’s running and keeping her distance from me.

Not trying to correct you but americanas and EEs are the same thing. Ameraucana (purebreds) are the friendliest chickens I’ve ever had (besides Cornish X lol which I do NOT recommend).

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Love my Wyandottes I got from McMurray!

 

[chickenlittle21]

Even though the white earlobes are a fault, I love them.

That's what I get from buying her from tractor supply. Shes great, though, and lays light brown/creme eggs.

 

[chickengr]

Thank you for these!
I am ordering from Murray McMurray Hatchery, and unfortunately a few of these are sold out entirely... Barred Rocks, Orpingtons, Australorps, Blue Sapphires and Marans.

Which leaves the Sex Links, Easter Eggers, Rhode Island Reds, and Wyandottes.

I am definitely adding some Sex Links to the cart! I have no decided about the Easter Egger yet but I might through in one because why not?
Rhode Island Reds I am a little wary of because I have heard they don't mix well with other breeds because they tend to be very bossy. Thoughts?
And any opinions on Leghorns? Murrary McMurray even has a rose comb variety.

I live in a warm climate and had issues with red sex link pullets in winter. wyandotettes are bossy to, I had 1 troublmaker hen who I had to cull for that reason. EEs are cold hardy and do well in a mixed flock - that is my experience.

 

[msiler]

Wow! Thank you all for the outpouring of information. This has seriously helped me narrow it down.
Originally I was dead set on the Sex Links but after reading some of these I might just cut them out entirely.
I just wanted to throw in one or two Easter Eggers just for fun but now they might make up a bunch of my order I’m sold!!

Currently my order is about divided in thirds.
1/3 Leghorns (Not sure about the all famous high production white or the rose comb brown)
1/3 EE (Yay blue eggs!)
1/3..... thinking about RIR

I was debating between RIR and Wyandottes but The Wyandottes I’ve owned in the past have been mean to the other hens and notorious egg eaters. And since the flock will be hopefully mostly free range the RIR might be a little less bossy than usual.... I hope....
I wanted Speckled Sussex too! But the hatchery I’m using doesn’t hatch any out in the fall unfortunately. I’m having to work with low inventory which makes things more challenging.

 

[msiler]

Has anyone had any experience with white birds getting taken more often than more neutral color birds?

Also thanks to whoever said I don’t live in a climate that requires cold hardy birds! Really opens up the options.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Has anyone had any experience with white birds getting taken more often than more neutral color birds?

Also thanks to whoever said I don’t live in a climate that requires cold hardy birds! Really opens up the options.

Kinda. I had a hawk specifically target my white EE. (She made it.)
I wouldn’t worry, WL are great and alert and fast.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Has anyone had any experience with white birds getting taken more often than more neutral color birds?

Also thanks to whoever said I don’t live in a climate that requires cold hardy birds! Really opens up the options.

Kinda. I had a hawk specifically target my white EE. (She made it.)
I wouldn’t worry, WL are great and alert and fast.

It probably wouldn’t be much a problem with Leghorns, but I did want to say Brown Leghorns lay almost the same amount as White leghorns. If you concerned about predators or frostbite, go with the Brown rose comb Leghorns.

 

[msiler]

Kinda. I had a hawk specifically target my white EE. (She made it.)
I wouldn’t worry, WL are great and alert and fast.

It probably wouldn’t be much a problem with Leghorns, but I did want to say Brown Leghorns lay almost the same amount as White leghorns. If you concerned about predators or frostbite, go with the Brown rose comb Leghorns.

Good to know, thank you! In that case I’ll probably do half and half, or maybe more brown leghorns.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Has anyone had any experience with white birds getting taken more often than more neutral color birds?

Also thanks to whoever said I don’t live in a climate that requires cold hardy birds! Really opens up the options.

By aerial predators? Nope. But our white birds (leghorns, Plymouth rocks) always seem to kick the bucket. But that might just be because of our horribly ventilated coop that caused an outbreak of respiratory problems one winter (and one winter only?). All three of our leghorns died that winter. I'm blaming it on the poorly built coop by the old owner though. Making plans to build a new and better one over the next month or two! YAY!

Leghorns are very alert and very skittish. Good for predator evasion, but not good for pets. One reason I decided I'm not getting them again. But HOLY COW they were great egg layers.