Utah!

[RedIII]

so i was reading about the plans being put into place to combat the avian flu this year. they think there will be massive losses. but when they find it they are going to do mass culls of flocks and the method they are planning to do that by is very sad so fair warning. but they plan on shutting the ventilation systems down and essentially cooking them to death. this is for the commercial flocks where you see 50k plus birds. its so sad makes me happy i am doing what i can to not support those massive operations at least egg wise for now. i wish i had more land to do more to raise my own for meat

There is an egg farm right by our property in Delta. One of my dreams for when we move down there is to walk over and see if they will let me buy a few of their "spent" birds to take home and love.

My vote would for an OE due to good production. Or an SBEL
I love the marans but MAN they make me crazy with the sporadic egg laying and hard to hatch eggs. This is why I am bonkers. I blame them

Thanks Lisa! Not sure yet if the sporadic thing would bother me much. I really miss having a diverse egg basket. Mine is now mostly light brown with a green or white egg here and there.

 

[Cynthia12]

My vote would for an OE due to good production. Or an SBEL

I love the marans but MAN they make me crazy with the sporadic egg laying and hard to hatch eggs. This is why I am bonkers. I blame them

This is why when this guy offered me eggs or chicks..I said, chicks please.

 

[acemario]

Okay, time for a for funsies pole! I'll be getting a few chicks this coming Winter/Spring for new layers in my flock, as my girls are all 3 1/2 now and slowing down. I'm definitely getting one Rhode Island Red and one Barred Rock, and I am debating on which breed for the third chick. Tell me your vote from the breeds below, if you want to play

1. Speckled Sussex
2. Gold laced Wyandotte
3. Marans
4. Olive egger

I've also considered Buff Orpington and Bielefelder, but I'm not as sure on those.

Speckled Sussex. It sounds like you are looking for a gentle and happy breed, and SS are just that. Throw that in with their beautiful plumage and good egg laying, and it is a winner for sure.

It really depends on what you are looking for. If you want pretty chicken, choose the SS. If you want prett eggs, the Marans or OE.

 

[newmarch2014]

Okay, time for a for funsies pole! I'll be getting a few chicks this coming Winter/Spring for new layers in my flock, as my girls are all 3 1/2 now and slowing down. I'm definitely getting one Rhode Island Red and one Barred Rock, and I am debating on which breed for the third chick. Tell me your vote from the breeds below, if you want to play

1. Speckled Sussex
2. Gold laced Wyandotte
3. Marans
4. Olive egger

I've also considered Buff Orpington and Bielefelder, but I'm not as sure on those.

I love my Orpingtons the best of all. They are not as good of layers and my Reds but they are so sweet.

 

[rcstanley]

I love my Orpingtons the best of all. They are not as good of layers and my Reds but they are so sweet.

How many eggs do your Orpingtons lay a week? As many as a barred rock does?

 

[Cynthia12]

Speckled Sussex. It sounds like you are looking for a gentle and happy breed, and SS are just that. Throw that in with their beautiful plumage and good egg laying, and it is a winner for sure.

It really depends on what you are looking for. If you want pretty chicken, choose the SS. If you want prett eggs, the Marans or OE.

And, if you want a LOT of eggs, the sex link.

 

[Cynthia12]

How many eggs do your Orpingtons lay a week? As many as a barred rock does?

Orpingtons and Barred Rocks are pretty close to laying around the same amount. They will lay a lot at first, 5 or 6 a week. Then around 6 or 7 months, slow down to 4 to 6. So not bad. M experience. I love the Orpingtons too, just haven't had one in a while because I love getting the eggs. I have a Lavender Orpington pullet out there right now, just waiting on that cute skirt to fill out.

 

[newmarch2014]

Orpingtons and Barred Rocks are pretty close to laying around the same amount. They will lay a lot at first, 5 or 6 a week. Then around 6 or 7 months, slow down to 4 to 6. So not bad. M experience. I love the Orpingtons too, just haven't had one in a while because I love getting the eggs. I have a Lavender Orpington pullet out there right now, just waiting on that cute skirt to fill out.

x2 yep that is my experience with my 2. They do tend to go quasi broody but I don't care. We usually have a surplus of eggs with our 6 layers. I keep mine 1/2 for the pet factor and my 2 Buff Orps meet that requirement well. They are inquisitive and fun to have and watch. Basil is our favorite and has figured out that my DH with a shovel in his hand means good eats. As soon as she sees him pick that shovel up she is running after him like a teenage fan running after the boy band. He is so sweet with her and works around her for the most part. They are the ones that accepted the new chicks the quickest (the Reds wanted to kill the rooster till he finally outsized them). I get a lot of joy out of them. A Lavender Orp is on my short list for the next addition. I have Brahmas and EEs and the aforementioned breeds and the Orps are by far my favorite of the 4.

 

[RedIII]

Thanks Ace, thank you newmarch!

You want to know what hens are surprisingly good at laying jumbo eggs? Cornish X.

I keep getting double yolkers.

 

[Redeemed]

I would guess an EEer or Americana however True Americana lay blue eggs I believe.