Geckolady
Counting Chickens B4 They're Hatched
I’m thinking of getting some broody hens to hatch out some eggs, since my pullets have pretty much zero interest in sitting on eggs. I say pretty much, because the youngest and smallest pullet will sometimes go sit on the ceramic eggs for a while, like maybe she has this idea in the back of her brain that way back when, chickens sat on eggs. Then that idea exits her brain in a short period off time, and she’s off to do other chicken-y things. Still waiting on her to start laying. The other two give me an egg a day like clockwork.
Anyway, what I’d like is a breed that’s on the small side, since Leghorns don’t get that large and I don’t want them bullied. I’d like a breed that lays brown eggs, so I’ll know which ones are theirs and can use them for omelets, while subbing the Leghorn eggs for theirs. They must be good mothers.
Two personal preferences—I don’t care for feathered legs, and I’d prefer to avoid green or blue egg layers. I know the nutrition in those eggs is the same, but (don’t beat me over the head), those colored eggs just seem less appetizing to me.
The breed will need to be readily available, and able to take the heat of Arizona’s high desert. It doesn’t get as hot as the Phoenix area here because we’re at a higher altitude, but it does get warm in the summer. (Warm=over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.)
OK, forum people, find me my dream hatching breed!
I’ll check this thread after work. And thanks for your ideas.
I have an incubator, but would prefer to use hens because I worry about the setup and the possibility of fires. And if a chicken will do most of the work--why not?
Anyway, what I’d like is a breed that’s on the small side, since Leghorns don’t get that large and I don’t want them bullied. I’d like a breed that lays brown eggs, so I’ll know which ones are theirs and can use them for omelets, while subbing the Leghorn eggs for theirs. They must be good mothers.
Two personal preferences—I don’t care for feathered legs, and I’d prefer to avoid green or blue egg layers. I know the nutrition in those eggs is the same, but (don’t beat me over the head), those colored eggs just seem less appetizing to me.
The breed will need to be readily available, and able to take the heat of Arizona’s high desert. It doesn’t get as hot as the Phoenix area here because we’re at a higher altitude, but it does get warm in the summer. (Warm=over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.)
OK, forum people, find me my dream hatching breed!
I’ll check this thread after work. And thanks for your ideas. I have an incubator, but would prefer to use hens because I worry about the setup and the possibility of fires. And if a chicken will do most of the work--why not?
