Suggestions on breed additions

[Kes]

I'm a beginner backyard keeper, but I'm quickly falling in love with keeping chickens!
Right now I have two breeds- four Easter Eggers and three Welsummers. They're only about two and a half months old so no eggs yet.

I was hoping to add a few more to my little flock though for a little more variety, but I'm not sure on timing or breeds.
Would it be better to add more while they're all still young or wait until next Spring and see how my current girls act once they've started laying? Currently they're all the same age and they all seem to get along pretty well. There's occasionally a little bit of chasing or irritated clucking, but I expect it to decrease when we've finished their larger run and move them to it.

For the new breeds, I'm looking for the following traits:
- roughly 6-8lbs at adulthood.
- lay large to extra-large eggs (quantity doesn't matter so much)
- generally not aggressive toward other hens
- friendly or curious toward people
- okay with some confinement. Their run will be roughly the size of a roomy single-car garage when it's done.

I was considering the following breeds:
- Black Star
- Wyandotte
- Sussex
- Orpington
- Dorking
- Australorp
- Olive Egger

Any other suggestions, opinions, personal stories, etc would be really appreciated!

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

I would suggest a Salmon Faverolle or a Buff Orpington. They are generally very mellow breeds towards people and chickens alike. They are good egg layers, and very pretty! Best wishes!

-Chatty

 

[LittleWillowFarm]

I would highly recommend Dominiques, I love them because they match all your criteria and they are a heritage breed. I have 2 Dominiques and they do fine in confinement but they also like free ranging. Dominiques are not aggressive to other hens, they are usually the ones who get bullied. so you don't have to worry about that. My dominiques love people, they always come up to me whenever I open the coop and they weigh about 7 pounds. I absolutely love this breed!

 

[Kes]

Thanks for your recommendations!
I was looking at Faverolles and I think my neighbor has a Dominique so I'll have to check hers out.

 

[theuglychick]

I too agree with Faverolles!

I would suggest a Salmon Faverolle or a Buff Orpington. They are generally very mellow breeds towards people and chickens alike. They are good egg layers, and very pretty! Best wishes!

-Chatty

 

[enoryz]

Buff Orpington
Australorp
Jersey Giant
I don't have a lot of experience either. These seem to be very friendly. Not fully grown yet.

 

[andreanar]

My faverolles are so docile, kinda ....um...dumb I love them tho.
Australorps are friendly and meet your requirement!

 

[azurbanclucker]

I'd throw in Barred Rock or Delaware here. Both can be kinda chatty, but both are in that size range, good dual purpose birds who lat large eggs frequently, and integrate well with other birds and people.

 

[enoryz]

I'd throw in Barred Rock or Delaware here. Both can be kinda chatty, but both are in that size range, good dual purpose birds who lat large eggs frequently, and integrate well with other birds and people.

I had one of each and they both laid similar eggs and opposite each other. So I had an egg every day of the week fro these 2! I also had 2 double yolk eggs from the Delaware. Good choices also.

 

[theuglychick]

Hee hee... I have some Faverolle chicks in with some Legbars and super blue egg layers right now and the difference in them is striking!

The SBELS are nuts! When I stick my hand in the brooder to scatter and fly into the fencing.

The little Faverolles just stand there looking at me with a sweet, yet kind of vacant expression while I grab them up.

My faverolles are so docile, kinda ....um...dumb I love them tho.
Australorps are friendly and meet your requirement!