RIR, Wyandotte, or EASTER EGGER???

[sloallie10]

Ee.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Mine are friendly, smart, and beautiful! I am still getting about 10 eggs per 12 pullets even though the sun is a lot less. They will all eat out of my hand and follow me around like puppy dogs. I can pick them up with ease, and the rooster has never shown aggression towards me, he does his job well, watches out for his ladies, and keeps them all together. I have nothing but great things to say about them and I love them! I am SO glad I chose this breed!

I think some people say they are mean, but I think it is all on how you raise them!

 

[IdealisticRoo]

I have no experience with Wyandottes. My experience with RIRs was - HATEFUL feather-eating pickers that were ok layers.

But let me tell you about my E.E. This time around I have 6. They are laying 4-5 eggs a day even in the cold weather and short days. (I do keep a light on a timer from 1AM - 9AM). They are sweet vocal girls that follow me around if they are out, eat out my hand and forage for most of their food.

My previous experience with E.E. was even more fun, because I bred them. You never know what color or variation you will get. Occasionally you will even get a rumpless one (happened once for me).

Yes, they are not a "pure breed". I would consider them a pure enjoyment breed.

Here is a pic I took today.

 

[deannd]

Quote:
I am very disappointed with my Wyandottes. I have 5 different varieties GL, SL, Columbian, SP and BLR and the egg size is very small. They probably lay 4 eggs per week, but the egg size is a small-medium. They have been laying for 3 months, so I still keep hoping the egg size will get bigger. The Egg shell quality is excellent and the yolk color is good.

I have 20 EE and they laid great this summer, but are now on winder break. They are basically laying every other day or so, but the egg size and shell quality is really good and the yolk is darker than most of my other birds.

I don't have any RIR, but their on my 2011 order list. My brother had some and the egg size, quality and quantity was excellent. Looking forward to geting me some of those. I am also planning on getting some Isa Browns.

I'd say get a couple of each breed to see what you like the most, plus I think it is fun having a basket full of different colored eggs.

Good Luck.

 

[OkChickens]

I have 40 Buff Orphingtons, 8 Rhode Island Reds, and 2 Barred Rocks. I love my RIR and I plan to merge to mainly these and a few buffs! They are great layers and are very hardy to hot and cold weather. My RIR's are very calm and not aggressive at all. I have had them since 3 weeks old. I bought them from a breeder as straight run production RIR's. I got about 2:3 ratio for roos and hens. They are my favorite so far from what I have had. I thought about EE's and I researched them and I decided against that choice. In 2 weeks or so I will trade some of my Buffs for more reds. Hope this helps!
Buy from a breeder not a hatchery to get better quality of RIR's!

 

[OkChickens]

I forgot to add Last week I got 5-6( sometimes 8 a day) eggs per RIR hen, 4-5 on Buff hens, and about 4 or so for Barred rock!

RIR are the way to go!

Good Luck

 

[1 Bad Rotti]

I got some Reds and EE, I would have to agree that the Reds are the way to go for me. I bought 15 EE hens about 2 weeks ago and haven't gotten the 1st egg. However the Reds I bought the day before and they are egg machines. The Reds seem to have a lot more personality as well. I'm thinking about adding some marans next. I will probably end up getting rid of the EE, they eat way to much to not be giving me any eggs. Any thoughts on marans?

 

[donnavee]

I have or have had all 3. My 2 EE's are pretty, one is friendly the other flighty, both are OK egg layers. My Wyandotte is still fairly young, she is beautiful but I don't know about her egg laying yet. She layed a few eggs before the shorter days and I don't think she is laying now. We had 2 RIRs and they were great egg layers. However, they were clearly bullies and it finally got to be too much so we gave them to a friend who has lots of chickens, room and a roo. We have lots of room, but there was no roo to keep them in line so they took their role as flock leaders a little too seriously. The flock is happier without them, but I sure miss their reliable egg laying.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I went with EEs, just couldn't resist the blue/green potential! They haven't started laying yet (there 22 weeks old) but I'm waiting for'em every day! They're not extremely friendly but I think that it's just that they don't like being held. Mine are from MPC. I've heard people say if you want EEs that lay better you should go with hatchery simply because they breed for high laying rates. Kinda makes sense, breeders look at personality and other traits too so you'll get friendlier birds that probably look nicer but you'll get a higher egg count out of a hatchery bird because that's all they're really after.

That being said, have you thought about true Ameraucana? They're the classic/original blue egg layers and then you don't have to worry about the 'mutt' gene mix. You can only get them from a breeder though, makes it a little more difficult.

 

[1 Bad Rotti]

Quote:
I haven't really given too much thought to the Americauna, I don't know a breeder that's close and I doubt that I could find one that breeds for egg production. I really am curious about the Marans, Welsummers, and Barnevelders though. I really like the dark eggs.