PLEASE tell me all you know about Plymouth rocks and Wyandottes

[gryeyes]

If you're looking for good layers, don't diss the hatchery stock. They're BRED for laying, not for show.

My entire flock is hatchery stock, purchased at a feed store, except for the bantam cochins and the Golden Lakenvelders; the former I bought from someone who ONLY buys from breeders, and the latter I bought from another BYCer downsizing her flock. My feed store chicks grew into beautiful birds and are really good layers. (I'm waiting for my juvenile Welsummers, Barred Rock and Buff Brahma to lay, but that will be another 3 months from now.)

I wanted a colorful flock and a colorful variety of eggs. I'm very happy with my feed store chickens - everything I have is listed in my signature.

 

[Neilette]

Quote:
The breeds you mention are Heritage breeds. These are known for slower growing but great laying and temperments. You will not find these very common as the ones you listed are very rare except threw hatcheries.

If you're having any difficulty finding breeder stock, you might try Seattle Craigslist as we're swimming in Blue Laced Red Wyandottes (and also Black Copper Marans, which seem to be very rare?) breeders in western Washington. They'll deliver?

 

[TerriLaChicks]

I have Blue Plymouth Rocks & they are very nice, laid back & friendly. I hatched mine from eggs bought from Halo, a BYCer here. My Welsummers are also nice--I hatched them from 2 different breeders & they lay nice dark eggs, some speckled, they are a bit more outgoing than the Rocks.

 

[Cluckhead]

One of my girls is a Welsummer too. She's great- friendly and a great layer of large eggs.

 

[snowydiamonds]

My Wyandottes have a rounder and shorter body type than my Buff Orps so it feels a tiny bit awkward to hold them compared to the BO's but I love both breeds. I don't know anything about Rocks so far but love the look of the Partridge Rocks...

 

[12GAGirl]

I have a flock of nine with only one SLW but she is the coolest little chicken I have. She lays a medium size cream colored egg almost everyday. She is a mellow hen and gets along well with the RIRs and EES that she has been raised with.

 

[Hockeychick]

Hello,

I have a very young flock, only 11 weeks, but so far the friendliest are the Wyandottes, Buff Orpingtons and the Barred Rocks. The Rocks are the most aggressive, but in a fun way. When I am in the run or coop, they are climb up my back or try to fly to my shoulder in hopes of playing with my glasses or earrings, ring, necklace, zippers, etc... They are TROUBLE, but lots of fun! They also like be held. The Orpingtons and Wyandottes are cuddly. I think the Wyandottes are the calmest of my bunch. My favorite chicken, Laila, is a Silver Laced Wyandotte, and she loves to roost on my arm, or on my neck.

 

[Chick CJ]

I have eight different types of chickens and the top producer of all is my barred rock. She lays literally every day like clockwork at the same time. None of my other chickens do that! She is not flighty, she is the protector of the flock, and while she doesn't really like being held she will tolerate it fine. My production red is the second top producer. I got her at 5 months old and she is not flighty or skittish at all but isn't really cuddly either. The third top producer is my golden laced wyandotte. Again, not flighty at all, very calm and tolerates people interaction very well.
CJ

 

[dawg53]

Barred Rocks are my favorites. They are laid back, very friendly, dont chatter much and lay nice eggs. Two of my four will hop up on my lap while I'm sitting in a lawn chair and want me to pet them. All my chickens are hatchery stock too.

 

[TwilightMom]

Hi! I'm new to chickens and have had mine for about 3 months now. My barred rock seems the most inquisitive and brave. She really doesn't like to be picked up much. I have a cochin who is very sweet and calm. Easiest to handle. I also have two buff orpingtons. They are very calm too. They are the first to run up to me looking for treats! My Sicilian Buttercup is the most beautiful of all my hens but very flighty. My brahma is huge and she is the youngest of all the chicks. She's the follower. Last, but not least, we have a Crevecoeur who we think may be a rooster, oh no!

Very "cocky".