Trying to decide on breed for son

[TOMTE]

Except size. hens can get to around 8 pounds and roos 10

Are there bantam orps?

 

[Logar]

Are there bantam orps?

yes they get around 3 pounds I believe

edit just checked and it is around 2 pounds

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Are there bantam orps?

Yep!

 

[TOMTE]

yes they get around 3 pounds I believe

Do you know if they're the same as standard orps other than size?

 

[Logar]

Do you know if they're the same as standard orps other than size?

they don't lay as much and they have much smaller eggs.

 

[TOMTE]

they don't lay as much and they have much smaller eggs.

I figured about the egg size. Thanks!

 

[SueT]

Bantam Easter Eggers! I love mine more than any other breeds I've had!

 

[gypsyroseplus6]

What climate do you live in?

It can get down into the negitives (f) in winter and into the 90s (f) during summer.

 

[Eggcentric NanaJ]

So my 14 year old son wants to get into chickens. I have previously had chickens myself (quite a few years back). However I wanted outside opinions on what species to get him. (And yes he will be monitored. Yes I will take over if he loses intrest. I love chickens as well. He also has done well caring for his hamster who is almost 3 years old)

What he is looking for



1. High egg production. Preferably larger eggs and a breed with a longer laying duration.

2. On the mellow side. Yes we will be getting a roo. I do not belive in having chickens without one. He loves to socialize with chickens. (He occasionally helps someone else with their flock).

3. Not overly large

4. Not a need but pretty colored (multi colored) feathers are a bonus.

When I started out, I got a mix of chicks. My Cream Legbar hen "Joan Jet" is a great layer and has the calmest sweetest temperament. She lays 5 blue/green eggs a week.

 

[OphyliaOrpington]

So my 14 year old son wants to get into chickens. I have previously had chickens myself (quite a few years back). However I wanted outside opinions on what species to get him. (And yes he will be monitored. Yes I will take over if he loses intrest. I love chickens as well. He also has done well caring for his hamster who is almost 3 years old)

What he is looking for



1. High egg production. Preferably larger eggs and a breed with a longer laying duration.

2. On the mellow side. Yes we will be getting a roo. I do not belive in having chickens without one. He loves to socialize with chickens. (He occasionally helps someone else with their flock).

3. Not overly large

4. Not a need but pretty colored (multi colored) feathers are a bonus.

Based on my recent research the only bird I've looked at that meets these requirements is the Blue Production (280 to 300 large blue eggs / year). Prairie Blue Bells come close (280 med. blue eggs / yr.). Otherwise, you're looking at an Easter Egger or a Rainbow. A lot of the colored egg layers lay med. size eggs. I prefer large. I am hoping to get California Grey chickens this year. They lay 300+ white eggs per year. Beware of most white egg layers, though. Most of the ones I've looked into say they are energetic, flighty, not nice or not for beginners. The California Grey is a mix of a barred rock and a white leghorn and looks like a Plymouth Rock. Apparently they are friendly like the rock but lay eggs like the leghorn. Fingers crossed! I have 3 buff orpingtons. They are very sweet, easy going, easy to care for birds. Very light brown eggs. Got one this morning that was almost white. I highly recommend this breed for good temperament. BUT their eggs are medium sized. Hoping they get bigger as my girls get older. Med. eggs are fine for scrambled eggs, but I prefer large ones for baking!