Suggestions for chicken variety in flock

Whitepinefarm · Mar 9, 2019

I have 1 New Hampshire chicken and 2 Rhode Island Red, all of whom are 9 months old. They are great birds. I would like to expand my flock to 6 this year and would like to add some colorful birds. I live in Wisconsin so need birds that are winter hardy. Egg production is not so important as there is only my husband and I and he doesn’t eat eggs. I was hoping to get some recommendations from you about chickens that I might consider. My chickens will be primarily pets and I will be keeping them though their life cycle. Thanks

TashaFrancois · Mar 9, 2019

Bantam or Giant Cochin, Bantam or Giant Brahma, Marans, Ameraucana (only but if spelled exactly like this), and Olive Egger (only if one of the parents is a feather footed Marans). These are all cold and heat hardy. They also come in many color variations and have good temperaments. My French Black Copper Marans Rooster lets me pick him up and love on him, but is also very good and protective of his hens.

PirateGirl · Mar 9, 2019

Australorps are cold hardy layers and would add a black bird to your flock.
Gold or silver laced wyandottes are cold hardy and give you a very different colored bird to what you already have.
There are several breeds with the "columbian" color pattern you could try like a delaware, columbian wyandotte, or brahma.

Most of the breeds I have mentioned are relatively easy to find as well. I like having a colorful flock myself because it's easy to tell everyone apart, and it's fun to have a variety of breeds.

Have fun with it!

PirateGirl · Mar 9, 2019

Welsummers can be quite pretty, especially in the sunlight, and would be a different color than what you have too

Brahmachicken240 · Mar 9, 2019

BRAHMAS!
I breed them, they are gentle giants.
Friendly, docile, quiet, goofy, very cold hardy, okay layers, they make great broodies and mother hens.
Friendliest breed I’ve ever had!

Some photos of mine.