putting together the shortlist

[SilverLacedFarmChik]

I don't have any of the breeds on your short list, but I will say that my Barred Rocks are amazing foragers. They pretty much want me to leave them alone so they can 'chicken' and lay eggs. They need zero coddling, are the first out of the coop in the morning and the last ones in at night.

 

[3xhhheather]

I don't have any of the breeds on your short list, but I will say that my Barred Rocks are amazing foragers. They pretty much want me to leave them alone so they can 'chicken' and lay eggs. They need zero coddling, are the first out of the coop in the morning and the last ones in at night.

Those were also on my list! I do love the idea of chickens just wanting to do chicken things, bc they'll have certain jobs to fulfill. I'm thinking I need to just make the case for more chickens with my partner.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Of the breeds you mention, I have marans, a BLR wyandotte and an ameraucana. All are rather late layers, but if you are not in a hurry to get eggs, then worth the wait. I love them all, my wyandotte is the friendliest of these 3. Good luck with your choices, chicken math is real!

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm also in central NC and find that the steamy heat here is the main issue we have to deal with.

I don't have any of those breeds but wanted to comment that if you're on the sand you're in the ideal conditions for keeping feather-footed breeds but if you're on the clay our wet, muddy winters could make feathered feet on the Marans problematic.

 

[3xhhheather]

I'm also in central NC and find that the steamy heat here is the main issue we have to deal with.

I don't have any of those breeds but wanted to comment that if you're on the sand you're in the ideal conditions for keeping feather-footed breeds but if you're on the clay our wet, muddy winters could make feathered feet on the Marans problematic.

Oof yes, I am on clay, my property has shoe losing mud all over. My plan was to have them rotate around for 3 seasons when the ground is a bit firmer and then build out a set pen for winter that I can manage better with woodchips & hay. I'm wondering if I should avoid feather-footed breeds altogether though with the huge amounts of rain we've been having through spring/summer

Any breeds you've had good luck with keeping in our area?

 

[3KillerBs]

Oof yes, I am on clay, my property has shoe losing mud all over. My plan was to have them rotate around for 3 seasons when the ground is a bit firmer and then build out a set pen for winter that I can manage better with woodchips & hay. I'm wondering if I should avoid feather-footed breeds altogether though with the huge amounts of rain we've been having through spring/summer

Any breeds you've had good luck with keeping in our area?

I'm on the sand so my Brahmas' feet are no problem even with all this rain.

I'm still in the experimental, trying out breeds stage, but I'm gravitating to Australorps and Delawares so far.

I wouldn't keep an entire flock of them, but I have one California White and find her antics entertaining. She is, however, my "Bird Most Likely to be Killed By a Predator" because she can freely fly out and then back into the pen when she's in the mood.

 

[Callender Girl]

Nice list with some good variety. I'm also someone who wants all the chickens.

In my experience with breeds on your list, if you're thinking of pets, my Speckled Sussex wins hands down. Bronwyn always wants to help with any project, thoughtfully scratching up whatever I'm trying to shovel away or dig into the ground. I'm sure she would be a rock star in the compost pile -- but it's too far away from where they free range during the day.

My other breeds from your list -- the BLRW, Easter Eggers and, the Hoover Hatchery version of a black Maran -- are all pretty decent layers and good pets. My Welsummer, however, is a bit more flighty. She is beautiful and lays lovely eggs, but is occupies the bottom of the pecking order which, no doubt, makes her skittish.

The good news is, no matter which ones you choose ... you're going to get chickens!!!

 

[Winter Creek Coop]

That’s a good list!

 

[3xhhheather]

I'm on the sand so my Brahmas' feet are no problem even with all this rain.

I'm still in the experimental, trying out breeds stage, but I'm gravitating to Australorps and Delawares so far.

I wouldn't keep an entire flock of them, but I have one California White and find her antics entertaining. She is, however, my "Bird Most Likely to be Killed By a Predator" because she can freely fly out and then back into the pen when she's in the mood.

Have a duck like that right now, she's 4lbs of crazy and loves to travel lol

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Hey all - hoping this is the right spot to post! I've done some research, added every single bird I wanted to the cart and now I'm cutting down the team. My partner is asking I try to keep it to around 6. I started with a large list and have narrowed it down to 10, ordering from Meyer Hatchery. I've ordered ducks & geese through Metzer before and have not had any losses, but my thought with chicks is to maybe order up just in case? I'm already feeling the chicken math (currently suffering from a horrible case of duck math), so I get why he's asking to stay around 6

Anywho, here's the list - anything I'm missing? Or is everything honky dory? For reference, I'm in central NC (7B) and everyone will be free-ranging away from the ducks & geese. Thanks in advance!

Golden Laced Wyandotte
Speckled Sussex
Blue Copper Maran
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte
Barnevelder
Easter Egger
Green Queen
Ameraucana
Welsummer
Black Copper Maran

So, most hatcheries aren't selling true (close to breed standard) Auracana, they are selling Easter Eggers, whether under a name like "Ameraucana", or specific shades of Easter Egger, like the Green Queen. They are hybrids, can be impressive birds, but no guarantees. There's too much variation to have real consistency of traits, other than colored eggs.

I don't have experience with most of the rest, so will defer comments in favor of those more knowledgeable, except on the Wyandotte, which I own. Mine are compact, weighty for the size, grew pretty quickly compared to most, free range well, are moderately predator aware (my Brahma are better, but they are better than the others), and lay about every other day. Mine lay pretty richly tinted eggs, which I can't candle successfully - an annoyance to me. Egg size is good.

FWIW, mine are Silver-laced - the GLWs are substantially the same, but for coloration.