Quiet/docile Long Term Layers

[jbpoole]

They all look like the Czech breeds--the hatchery site showed calico princess, midnight majesty maran, sapphire gem and one other. I have the midnight majesty now but they're young. I had the sapphire gem and they started to lay right at 18 weeks. All these birds should be as quiet as you could hope for in terms of egg song (the sapphire were) and as non-flighty as you can get and still tolerate the heat of summer. They were bred for harsh conditions such as south africa etc. and as extreme as the Ukraine. Best of luck!

Thank you for the excellent information. Summers here can be extremely hot and humid, with winters being generally mild with lows of maybe 15-20 degrees. I was thinking the Rainbow Eggers might may not lay well in the winter and the Barred Rocks would be more consistent. Any thoughts on this?

 

[springvalley123]

Thank you for the excellent information. Summers here can be extremely hot and humid, with winters being generally mild with lows of maybe 15-20 degrees. I was thinking the Rainbow Eggers might may not lay well in the winter and the Barred Rocks would be more consistent. Any thoughts on this?

I haven't had barred rocks but someone I know in black canyon city (almost as hot as Phoenix) says they do well for her in the heat. the blue birds in your package, that lay light brown eggs, will have barred and blue plymouth rock as the foundation. Seems there is a tradeoff between doing/laying well in summer vs laying thru the winter but I think if you end up with a mix of the rainbow you should do well. I'd proceed with your package and hope for the best neighbor-wise, I really don't think you could get quieter birds that'd tolerate the heat. As for the longevity of the sex links, sure these are all "egg laying machines" in some sense, but I'd guess a lot of people who buy these high-production birds, also supplement light through the winter, because they want so many eggs, and the extra light burns out the birds at least as much as their genetics. Not that they all do, but maybe enough to skew the results.

 

[jbpoole]

I haven't had barred rocks but someone I know in black canyon city (almost as hot as Phoenix) says they do well for her in the heat. the blue birds in your package, that lay light brown eggs, will have barred and blue plymouth rock as the foundation. Seems there is a tradeoff between doing/laying well in summer vs laying thru the winter but I think if you end up with a mix of the rainbow you should do well. I'd proceed with your package and hope for the best neighbor-wise, I really don't think you could get quieter birds that'd tolerate the heat. As for the longevity of the sex links, sure these are all "egg laying machines" in some sense, but I'd guess a lot of people who buy these high-production birds, also supplement light through the winter, because they want so many eggs, and the extra light burns out the birds at least as much as their genetics. Not that they all do, but maybe enough to skew the results.

I didn't realize that the Rainbow Eggers may be sex-links. Is there a way to be certain? Perhaps I should just forego the colored eggs and go with only Barred Rocks. I really would rather have layers that will produce long-term and not suffer from health problems (as I understand it).

 

[21hens-incharge]

I didn't realize that the Rainbow Eggers may be sex-links. Is there a way to be certain? Perhaps I should just forego the colored eggs and go with only Barred Rocks. I really would rather have layers that will produce long-term and not suffer from health problems (as I understand it).

I went and had a look out of curiosity. It appears the Rainbow Eggers are an assortment of breeds including a dark layer, a colored layer, a brown layer, a white layer and a cream layer.

While it is reported often that sex links and high production breeds WILL die young from laying problems. I have had several over the years and none have developed reproductive issues. I cannot say the same about the Easter Eggers or Delawares I have owned.

My best layers are my 4+ year old black sex links.

I do think they are worth giving it a try.

 

[Jennc-123]

My black australorps are very calm. They are an excellent laying breed. I managed to sex mine by comb size at 4 weeks and I would say I'm definitely not an expert

 

[halefamily_flock]

Thank you very much for the excellent replies. I appreciate the information and will find it to be very useful.

Here is a list of breeds that I was originally considering for a mixed flock:
Speckled Sussex
Welsummer
French Black Copper Maran
Olive Egger
Partridge Plymouth Rock
Easter Egger

Some of these match the suggestions I have received, although the possibility of getting a rooster remains as issue.

Cream legbars may be a very good option, but they seem to be expensive and hard to find in stock. Any suggestions on a hatchery? Black sex links have been mentioned as well. Do they not suffer from health issues and short longevity attributed to other sex links?

A couple of you commented on my avatar. I served 38 years and, given the current situation, have lots to comment on, but this is not the place...

Again, thanks for all of the great posts!

I have Speckled Sussex and Welsummer hens in my flock. Overall, I have a lot of noisy hens and 6 roosters/cockerels crowing pretty much all day (we have a free range flock and their "noisiness" has been key to defending themselves from hawks on the regular, so I'm not complaining). I would say my Sussex hens are probably the quietest and most docile/friendly. My Welsummers are also relatively quiet. They are excellent layers and much less vocal with their egg song than other breeds. They do "chatter" regularly, but it's not loud and sounds like a softly playing trumpet. When my Welsummer girls come around, it sounds like they're serenading me with a jazzy tune. My Cream Legbar & Olive Egger (Cream Legbar x Welsummer) hens are pretty intense with their egg songs, but they're also extremely predator savvy and I think they're mostly just calling for escorts to take them to & from the nest boxes. All of my purchased chicks have come from Cackle Hatchery and I've been very impressed with quality & customer service.

 

[jbpoole]

What a coincidence. Just this morning, I discovered Sunnyside Hatchery in WI. They have a version of Easter Egger called Rainbow Eggers. My current thinking is that I will order probably 3 (plus a Barred Rock or 2) in March. Thanks for your suggestions.

I called the hatchery this morning and was told that they don't ship to my state. Maybe I'm too far south in Zone 8A. Very disappointing...

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

I called the hatchery this morning and was told that they don't ship to my state. Maybe I'm too far south in Zone 8A. Very disappointing...

There are a LOT of hatcheries out there. Many Do ship to all lower 48 states.

 

[jbpoole]

There are a LOT of hatcheries out there. Many Do ship to all lower 48 states.

After quite a bit of research, I have found that Ideal Poultry in Texas is apparently the best source for a small order of chicks.

Their minimum order amount is $30. For example, if I order five chicks and the total is $21.00, they would charge me $30.00 plus a small order fee order fee of $7.00. A heat pack available for $4.75. Shipping is free.

Ideal has an excellent selection and everything I am interested in will be available when I hope to order except the Speckled Sussex (don't want to wait until June for that one).

 

[springvalley123]

After quite a bit of research, I have found that Ideal Poultry in Texas is apparently the best source for a small order of chicks.

Their minimum order amount is $30. For example, if I order five chicks and the total is $21.00, they would charge me $30.00 plus a small order fee order fee of $7.00. A heat pack available for $4.75. Shipping is free.

Ideal has an excellent selection and everything I am interested in will be available when I hope to order except the Speckled Sussex (don't want to wait until June for that one).

Great! what breeds did you decide on?