Ticks?

[stephaaras]

now which breed? and which variety within the breed?

I have decided I will go with 6 hens, at this point in time research is pointing me towards the Rhode Island Reds.

 

[ocap]

I have decided I will go with 6 hens, at this point in time research is pointing me towards the Rhode Island Reds.

hatcheries have crossed the Rhode Island Red with breeds that lay lots of eggs, breeders that breed with the shows in mind lay fewer eggs.
if you want eggs buy from a hatchery like Cackle

 

[stephaaras]

hatcheries have crossed the Rhode Island Red with breeds that lay lots of eggs, breeders that breed with the shows in mind lay fewer eggs.
if you want eggs buy from a hatchery like Cackle

So a hybrid breed would be best?
Does cackle only sell eggs, or do they also ship chicks?

Edit: I looked up the hatchery and they do.
Also, when I was looking into the RIR's, a hybrid that came up was the golden comet. Is that the one you mean for more eggs?

 

[ocap]

So a hybrid breed would be best?
Does cackle only sell eggs, or do they also ship chicks?

Edit: I looked up the hatchery and they do.
Also, when I was looking into the RIR's, a hybrid that came up was the golden comet. Is that the one you mean for more eggs?

Cackle's Rhode Island Red will have some kind of cross about five generations back so they will get about 50 more eggs a year. The golden comet is different, I think that cross is only one generation back but I am not sure. You can call Cackle and tell them what kind of bird you are looking for and see how they explain the differences. You will probably be able to sell your extra pullets on Craig's list if the hatchery requires more than the six or seven you need/want. I wanted a meat producing brown egg chicken so my roosters weigh 2 lbs more than the Cackle birds but I trade a lot of eggs for that extra meat. I found a guy in Minnesota that raises the kind of bird I wanted and he ships chicks in the spring.

If you want a few less eggs but a more "correct" Rhode Island Red start looking on this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/882036/a-heritage-of-perfection-standard-bred-large-fowl
your chickens will be absolutely beautiful if you find the Mohawk line of Rhode Island Red.

 

[ocap]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/407294/the-heritage-rhode-island-red-site

 

[ocap]

this is the kind of information you get when you start to google "Mohawk Rhode Island Red Chicken"

http://jimspetsandpoultry.weebly.com/reese-mohawk-rhode-island-reds.html

 

[stephaaras]

this is the kind of information you get when you start to google "Mohawk Rhode Island Red Chicken"

http://jimspetsandpoultry.weebly.com/reese-mohawk-rhode-island-reds.html

I will look into all this. Thank you very much. I'm not all too interested in having the most good looking birds, but the more eggs the merrier. I have tons of family members who would be interested in fresh eggs, and I'd be happy not having to buy from the grocery store anymore.
I'm sure it'd be easy enough to rehome any extras that I'd have to buy because I'm from a relatively farm heavy location.

 

[ocap]

remember some of these breeders are too concerned with winning the shows that they have sacrificed egg production, enjoy your search, that will be as much fun as raising them, I started with show winning Brahma and had almost no eggs. decisions can be overwhelming, try and stay with the Rhode Island Red breed to make your search and shopping easier.

 

[ocap]

if you don't have much experience then,,,,go with cheaper and see if you can keep them alive. easy to spend $25 per chicken and $125 on shipping for older pullets, buy chicks

 

[stephaaras]

remember some of these breeders are too concerned with winning the shows that they have sacrificed egg production, enjoy your search, that will be as much fun as raising them, I started with show winning Brahma and had almost no eggs. decisions can be overwhelming, try and stay with the Rhode Island Red breed to make your search and shopping easier.

Tried to reply before, didn't let me quote a link so my whole post disappeared.
I'm not too concerned with how good looking they are, shows aren't really a concern of mine.
The more eggs the merrier, I would like to never have to buy eggs from the store again. Plus, there are tons of people around here who love buying fresh eggs.
Also, rehoming extras would definitely not be hard around here.
I definitely do want to stick with the RIRs though.