Polish, Houdan, or Hamburg

[Chicalina]

there is a good article about integrating younger chicks here

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/

 

[Sadness Child]

what age are you buying them at?

I am buying them as 1 year old laying hens. I have a flock of 1 Buckeye cockerel, and 5 pullets one of which is a very small Japanese Bantam.

 

[Chicalina]

oh I thought they would be younger.

I think the 'look don't touch' method is the usual way. Do you have space to separate them initially?

 

[Sadness Child]

oh I thought they would be younger.

I think the 'look don't touch' method is the usual way. Do you have space to separate them initially?

No, I have a batch of 5 11 weeks old chicks, 2 of them are roos. They are about half the size of my other chickens.

 

[Chicalina]

That article I linked to gives loads of tips, and recommends very young integration, well before the older hens view the newbies as rivals, a threat or competition for resources. Which they do once they become almost the same size as them. So long as you have plenty of hiding places and escape routes, it seems the younger the better.

I have never tried it that way, but will be doing so with my new babies soon.

 

[HannahKline14]

There is somebody who is selling 1 year old laying hens of all of these above breeds. I am looking to get 2-3 chickens of the above breeds, I am looking for egg-laying, and breeding potential.

Polish- The breeds origins are unclear but they were standardized in the Netherlands. They were originally bred as productive white egg layers now mostly known as an ornamental breed. They are shy but very friendly and docile, and will lay around 200 white eggs a year. Not the most cold-hardy bird but will get through the winter if kept right, in a warm coop free of drafts to prevent frostbite. They are known for their dashing crest and five toes
Houden - This breed was developed in France and they are descended from the ancient five-toed fowl. They are moderately hardy but not cold hardy, in the right climate they can lay 150-200 white eggs a year. They are calm and friendly birds.
Hamburg- This beautiful breed was found in Holland but its origins are unknown. They lay 200 white eggs per year but consistently lay for years longer than other breeds. These birds are great foragers and light eaters. They are very active and spirited they don't do great confined so will need to have room to roam. They are very cold hardy and do great in cold whether
-All three of these breeds do fine in hot climates if taken care of properly, a coop with ventelation and fresh water and shade during the day. And if you're buying these birds local you may want to ask the breeder what breed does best for him. But I would say the Hamburg is the best for you as it is the most cold hardy

 

[Sadness Child]

Polish- The breeds origins are unclear but they were standardized in the Netherlands. They were originally bred as productive white egg layers now mostly known as an ornamental breed. They are shy but very friendly and docile, and will lay around 200 white eggs a year. Not the most cold-hardy bird but will get through the winter if kept right, in a warm coop free of drafts to prevent frostbite. They are known for their dashing crest and five toes
Houden - This breed was developed in France and they are descended from the ancient five-toed fowl. They are moderately hardy but not cold hardy, in the right climate they can lay 150-200 white eggs a year. They are calm and friendly birds.
Hamburg- This beautiful breed was found in Holland but its origins are unknown. They lay 200 white eggs per year but consistently lay for years longer than other breeds. These birds are great foragers and light eaters. They are very active and spirited they don't do great confined so will need to have room to roam. They are very cold hardy and do great in cold whether
-All three of these breeds do fine in hot climates if taken care of properly, a coop with ventelation and fresh water and shade during the day. And if you're buying these birds local you may want to ask the breeder what breed does best for him. But I would say the Hamburg is the best for you as it is the most cold hardy

I am in New Mexico, so I value heat hardiness more than cold hardiness, I also only have an enclosed area that is 17' by 40' for them, so I don't want the Hamburg as much because they are more of a free range bird.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Yes, but he is not selling those.
He is only selling GLW and Production Reds and the above breeds mentioned.

Well, then you should go for the GLW or the reds because the other breeds lay tiny eggs.

 

[HannahKline14]

I am in New Mexico, so I value heat hardiness more than cold hardiness, I also only have an enclosed area that is 17' by 40' for them, so I don't want the Hamburg as much because they are more of a free range bird.

Ok then you should probably get the houden they do better in hotter climates, as long as in the winter they have a draft free coop as you did say it gets below freezing in the winter. But again if your buying locally I'm sure they all would work

 

[Sadness Child]

you did say it gets below freezing in the winter.

Below freezing in the winter