The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[lazy gardener]

Can't imagine those would be any better layers than the other cornish, and perhaps worse.

 

[GreatBreeder]

Well they sure are better than the Cornish Cross. Those grow too big for their own body! Anyway, they are brown layers, might be better than regular Cornish, couldn't imagine being worse though. I'm not really looking for a lot of eggs, they look dazzling anyway. I will have better layers in the flock though.

 

[GreatBreeder]

Also, I will not be able to answer on the forum from 9:30 to 7:00 or 8:00 to 3:35. GTG

 

[CuzChickens]

I actually decided not to get those Cornish because they are bad layers, but I found a good brown layer. It's called the White Laced Red Cornish, even more unique and beautiful! Here's a pic. [COLOR=B42000] [/COLOR]

Wow, those are pretty.

 

[GreatBreeder]

From oldhenlikesdogs' advice, I have figured out what will be in my flock. You said typical dual purpose, so I will put in 2 Cochins. With light breeds, I took your word on anacona and andalausian, they are beautiful anyway, so I will have 2 of each. Then the last two will be my cornish, a rare kind indeed.

 

[GreatBreeder]

Also forgot to mention 2 EE

 

[Leahs Mom]

@TheGreatPapyrus

I didn't see if you ever answered @oldhenlikesdogs questions.... could you answer these?

That would make it more clear how to suggest breeds for you.


Quote: oldhenlikesdogs

 

[GreatBreeder]

I did, that's how I got recomendations. I'd be glad if you could help, so I will repeat
Wanting chickens for: eggs, looking at but not too pretty
Friendly good foragers too
Hot weather

 

[Leahs Mom]

So sorry! I must have missed your post before.

Barred Rocks are very good layers in my experience (hatchery quality). Good foragers. Have a 5 yo that still lays consistently during laying season.
Swedish Flower Hens are very pretty and come in all colors. Recommend non-crested. "ok" layers. Great foragers.
RIR are supposed to forage well. My only experience with them is hatchery quality; still laying well at 5 yo (as per Barred Rock).
I always like to have a color layer so the EE...but not great layers. They get to stay because they have colored eggs

I love the appearance of the Jubilee and Chocolate Orpingtons. But I've never had any to comment on their laying ability.
Also love the appearance of the laced birds like the SLW.

Here are a couple of chicken charts that will help you make your decisions. Henderson's lists the items like egg production, cold/heat hardy, forage ability, expected behavior, etc.

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html


Livestock Conservancy has a chart as well with some of the less typical breeds:

https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/chicken-chart

 

[Bantambird]

I have a single chocolate Orpington named cocoa, she lays alright, but takes a two to three month break during molt. They have a whole lotta feathers! English Orpington are pretty and sweet, fairly large too. Light brown eggs.