Questions about chicks I ordered?

[sfisher]

Today I ordered from Ideal=

2 Black Australops
2 Buff Orpingtons
2 Rhode Island Reds, and
2 Barred Rocks

All are pullets.

I am looking for good brown egg layer's, that are nice to look at, when they are in the yard. Lay fairly good vs food consuption. And are friendly, semi quiet, and not skidish. I plan on keeping them for 2 egg laying seasons.

I think I will be happy with the Rhode Islands, and the Barred Rocks.

After I ordered I read that the Australops, only lay about 150 to 175 eggs their first year. Should I cancel them and get 2 Black Sex links? But I also read that sex links, can burn out after their first year.

Then I saw were Buff Orpingtons go broody alot. It also says that they are good cold weather birds. I live in the south would that have a reverse effect?

All help on any of these breeds is appreciated.

 

[hooligan]

My Turken lays more than any other hen I have and have heard from other Turken owners theirs do as well.
My Carmilla was an Australorp and never laid an egg, but that was just her I think.

What are you going to do with your birds after the 2 yrs. Mine are laying more as they are aging.

 

[sfisher]

After 2 years they will go in the pot, I guess.

 

[Yogiman]

For what's worth:

I have raised some of all of the heavy weight brown egg layers at one time or the other.
Didn't care for the Australops
Just rotated out 8 Rhode Island Reds. Excellent old breed. Good layers and docil.
Barre Rocks: Good hens, Good layers and docil.
Buff Orpington: Just love them. Have 11 young hens that just started laying. This is the fourth or fifth flock of buffs over the past few years. Broody? You bet. My last flock of 12 buff hens, 5 of the 12 went broody at 1 year old. And I do mean broody. They will sit on a rock, golf ball or walnut trying to hatch it. And they make excellent mama's.

I currently have an order at Ideal for some Rhode Island Whites, Speckled Sussex, and Gray Dorkins.

I also have an order coming next week from McMurray for soe White Orpingtons, Delawares, and White Rocks.

You might consider the Rhode Island Whites or the Delawares from Ideal.

I too live on the gulf coast. Cold is not my problem. It's heat, rain, mosquitoes and right now mud and water.