Starting a Flock (Egg laying breeds to consider)

[lilmillefleur]

Have you considered Speckled Sussex? I’ve never had one but they seem to meet your criteria!

 

[CoopintheWoods]

I highly recommend Easter eggers! The first few I had laid green eggs almost every day, and were exceptionally friendly. The hen I have now is a great layer, but is very timid due to being raised with five roosters and no other hens. Of those 5 EE roosters, 4 were very aggressive. The fifth rooster has been fantastic, although he is very skittish around people.
EE's are great, especially if you are only getting hens.
I also used to have an orpington who laid eggs very well and, while she was not the warmest with people, cared for a lame hen of mine for about a year until she passed away.
My wyandotte lays eggs well, and is at the top of the flock pecking order, although she is not usually a bully.
I also have a black australorp and white leghorn, who lay eggs a just about every day and are friendly enough.
I would not recommend RIR's for a mixed flock. They lay well, but are often bullies, and mine constantly picks on the other hens.
Good luck with your flock!

 

[Kholts]

Have you considered Speckled Sussex? I’ve never had one but they seem to meet your criteria!

I have thought about them! I don’t believe they will be selling any at the market but I do have it on my list to watch for!

I highly recommend Easter eggers! The first few I had laid green eggs almost every day, and were exceptionally friendly. The hen I have now is a great layer, but is very timid due to being raised with five roosters and no other hens. Of those 5 EE roosters, 4 were very aggressive. The fifth rooster has been fantastic, although he is very skittish around people.
EE's are great, especially if you are only getting hens.
I also used to have an orpington who laid eggs very well and, while she was not the warmest with people, cared for a lame hen of mine for about a year until she passed away.
My wyandotte lays eggs well, and is at the top of the flock pecking order, although she is not usually a bully.
I also have a black australorp and white leghorn, who lay eggs a just about every day and are friendly enough.
I would not recommend RIR's for a mixed flock. They lay well, but are often bullies, and mine constantly picks on the other hens.
Good luck with your flock!

EE’s are big around my area. There are supposed to be lots at the market I’m going to.

By the sounds of it I’m going to cross out RIR’s as I am most likely going mixed flock. Quite a few of you mentioned they can be bullies.

As it stands the top on my list are:

Beilfelder
Australorpe
Wyandotte
Orpington
Plymouth Rock/ Rock Barr
Dominique

The last 2 I’d like but are not listed on the vendors selling list.

 

[chickengoggles]

Hello! We have a mixed flock and small children. We currently have:

Dominique - super friendly and chatty
Speckled Sussex - friendly, good with the kids
New Hampshire - like the Dominique, very happy to fly up on us or hang on a lap
Easter egger - friendly, agreeable, takes treats from hands
Gold-laced Orpington - our most reserved hen, but still nice
Appenzeller Spitzhauben/Cochin mix: great flier but not flighty, unperturbed by children picking her up repeatedly. A fanatstic pet and layer. I've heard Cochins are really friendly and good with kids.

And we just picked up three more Easter Eggers and a Cream Legbar mix today, but I can't report yet.

All of the first six have laid well this winter; four were 5-6 months old when we got them, but the Orpington was 1 and the Easter Egger 2. We average 4 eggs from those six a day, which seems very good to me, considering the season!

The Dominique and Easter Eggers are my favorites.

 

[Bound to Sea]

Kholts, If you want a specific breed, chances are you can find it locally. Join a chicken Facebook page, I am on two and you would be surprised what is for sale out there. Some people on the Facebook pages are also purchasing as a group from US hatcheries. I decided 6 months ago I wanted a Hamburg. I found one 3 weeks ago in Alberta. Went to pick it up at a farm and took home an Appenzeller as well! The hobby is addictive!! Because those chicks are so darn cute!! I have also added one or two new ones every year just to keep the eggs coming. Two of my old ones(3 years old) have not layed for a year! Not sure what to do with my freeloaders. ( RIR and GLW) pick a few and you will be intrigued by a new breed you discovered as time goes on. Enjoy!

 

[PirateGirl]

"Well that’s good to know. That’s where I’m thinking I’ll keep the # of birds I start with smaller and then the following spring I’ll add accordingly".

I think this is a good plan, plus when you add you will have birds that are one year younger so they should be laying when your first batch goes into molt and takes a break. Since every bird is different, the rotation won't be perfect, but it will definitely help keep you in eggs through the year!

 

[Kholts]

Hello! We have a mixed flock and small children. We currently have:

Dominique - super friendly and chatty
Speckled Sussex - friendly, good with the kids
New Hampshire - like the Dominique, very happy to fly up on us or hang on a lap
Easter egger - friendly, agreeable, takes treats from hands
Gold-laced Orpington - our most reserved hen, but still nice
Appenzeller Spitzhauben/Cochin mix: great flier but not flighty, unperturbed by children picking her up repeatedly. A fanatstic pet and layer. I've heard Cochins are really friendly and good with kids.

And we just picked up three more Easter Eggers and a Cream Legbar mix today, but I can't report yet.

All of the first six have laid well this winter; four were 5-6 months old when we got them, but the Orpington was 1 and the Easter Egger 2. We average 4 eggs from those six a day, which seems very good to me, considering the season!

The Dominique and Easter Eggers are my favorites.

Thank you for your insight. I’m glad to hear your breeds seem to be great with children and lay well. There are quite a few Cochins being sold at the market I’m going to. I’ll have to look into them more.

Man oh man who knows what I’ll come home with haha!

Kholts, If you want a specific breed, chances are you can find it locally. Join a chicken Facebook page, I am on two and you would be surprised what is for sale out there. Some people on the Facebook pages are also purchasing as a group from US hatcheries. I decided 6 months ago I wanted a Hamburg. I found one 3 weeks ago in Alberta. Went to pick it up at a farm and took home an Appenzeller as well! The hobby is addictive!! Because those chicks are so darn cute!! I have also added one or two new ones every year just to keep the eggs coming. Two of my old ones(3 years old) have not layed for a year! Not sure what to do with my freeloaders. ( RIR and GLW) pick a few and you will be intrigued by a new breed you discovered as time goes on. Enjoy!

I have been watching my local buy and sell pages as well. I’ve seen many breeds on there but a majority being sold are silkies, EE’s & barnyard mixes (nothing wrong with mixes).

 

[chickengoggles]

There's something about these Easter Eggers! Two new EE and Cream Legbar/OE eggs on left ❤

 

[Kholts]

There's something about these Easter Eggers! Two new EE and Cream Legbar/OE eggs on left ❤
View attachment 1677687

Who laid the pretty pink ones?

 

[chickengoggles]

Who laid the pretty pink ones?

The Dominique and the Speckled Sussex.