Please help me pick my next laying flock..........

[texaschickmama]

I should add that I already have a flock of buff orpingtons, EE's, and now I'm really looking for my 3rd laying flock. Yeah,

, I know I'm out of control. I also just got home from the feedstore where they had Mottled Houdan PULLETS. So, I had to buy them all. They lay a white egg. They also have the cutest topknots.

 

[deerman]

Will if you to stay with a pure breed, I like white rock nice to see those all white chicken running around. Same as the Barred rock lay as good, I like the look of the pure white.

Golden comet are one of the best brown layer, but as you know they are a cross.

if pure breed, I vote rock no matter which color, think 3 colors of rocks.

 

[SunAngel]

Quote:
I am jealous! Nice find! I haven't found any Houdans around here. I did find Buff Laced Polish though.

What about Partridge Rocks? They are pretty and should lay as good as BRs right?

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Yes, BA holds the world record last I heard, 364 eggs in 365 days.

I have 50 chicks 9 weeks old. The BA's are the only ones that jump in my lap. I had a few BA's last year, they tolerate being held and the roo was protective of his flock but not mean to people. My BA hen lays about 6 XL eggs a week, is 1 yr old, did not stop laying for molting or cold weather.

The rest of my 9 week olds: EE, SS, BR, NHR, RIR, BO, SLW. I can't get near my EE's. The NHR's are probably the next friendliest, though one SLW jumps on my lap occasionally.

 

[Mahonri]

If you want eggs... Cinnamon Queens or Black Sex links.

I got 7 Barred Rocks in my Rainbow Assortment from McMurray. I've let 5 go simply because they were so mean. I now have two "Queenie" and "She Devil Barred"... and I love both of them simply because they have finally settled down AND they hardly ever miss a day.

One of the BR I rehomed went broody 10 days after she got to her new home and hatched out 7 EE X BR chicks!!

 

[playswithfowl]

I have a hatchery RIR and love her! I got her as an adult, and she is sooooo so friendly. She is an excellent layer. I had heard bad things about RIR's but have experienced none of them.

 

[Cetawin]

I love my Australorps. They are very sweet, calm, great layers and super friendly. Not to mention they are beautiful to look at in the sun when you can see that beautiful green tinge on their feathers.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! For great disposition and great laying ability, you can't go wrong with Barred Rocks. I think they are great because they have enough 'umph' to stand up for themselves, but aren't meanies/aggressive or door-mats either.
I have only had 'hatchery-stock' and bred-from-hatchery-stock Barred Rocks, but I've never had an off-bird or an unfriendly bird and I've hatched and raised many hundreds of BR here.
Good luck with your choice! Whatever you choose, they'll be lucky birds!

Lisa

 

[Chickndaddy]

I would go with Javas. If you can find some really nice stock they are awesome birds. They lay quite well, and have the added benefit of being a heritage breed that is on the Critical List of chicken breeds. So if you had a breding flock of them you would be helping to save an old rare breed. I had Whites, Black, and Mottled. All were big beautiful birds that layed well. I think the whites were a little inbred because people are scared to cross them to the blacks, but with a little work they could be just as hardy.

I recently heard of Auburn Javas as well, and myself have considered starting a project to revive the Blue Java that is now extinct.

 

[MRW]

Google "Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart" it gives you lots of info on personality, laying ability/per week/ temperament/cold hardiness/etc