Recommendation for backyard egg layers

[purr]

If you need visual aids let us know we'll show you pics I love my cochin's but they are not laying yet

 

[Featherland]

If you are going to build a 6 by 8 coop it isn't that much more in materials to make it 8 by 8 so you will have more room for all the chickens you will want in the future. That way your chickens will have more room also on cold wet days when they spend more time inside. I suggest Americanas or Easter Eggers for egg color variety. Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons, Black Austrolorpes, Partridge Rocks, Wyandottes and sex links. The only ones I wouldn't recommend are Rhode Island Reds because mine are noisy even though they are sweet and Speckled Sussex because mine are noisy and eat alot but lay small eggs.

 

[Hobbley_Farm]

Quote:
I'm by NO means an expert. But my suggestion would be to get different breeds. Experiment. Look on McMurry, Ideal and Feather site. Read what they write about different breeds. Choose one for this reason and one for that reason. I would say not to go with just ONE breed right off the bat. Try a Sex Link, Barred Rock, Leghorn, Dominique, Ancona (I have one and I love her large eggs) to name a few. There are SOO many. It will be fun for you to figure out what works for you. My best egg layer right now is the ancona and her eggs look just like the "large" white eggs at the super market. Keep in mind, however, that my chickens don't "follow me around" or "Sit in my lap for a cuddle" they just keep to themselves and do their job. They're happy hens, don't get me wrong, but they aren't really pets like many others on this forum. good luck, have fun!

 

[switters]

A huge thanks to everyone for your replies. Based on your recommendations and some more research, I think we'll probably go with Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks and maybe a Wyandotte and a Black Austrolorpe or two.

My next question is, is it possible to acquire sexed chicks in each of these varieties? If so, where?

 

[conny63malies]

check on the speckled sussex or sussex in general. thats what i am getting.
check what ideal has left. here is a link for hatcheries,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=58610

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
WHAT?!? Not a single brahma?!?

(Just kidding).
You'll have to see if the hatchery you want to use offers sexed chicks in the breeds you are interested in. Some do, some don't, but for those breeds you mentioned I think most will.
The thing about sexed chicks to keep in mind though is that sexing day olds, with the exception of sex links, is at best 90% accurate. You can still have a baby roo sneak in there from time to time, so be prepared.