Want to add variety to our flock...suggestions?

[TN Henny Penny]

We have 26 Red Stars that are about 7 mos old. They are doing great - lay at least 23 eggs per day! We're going to give some to friends (about 1/2 dozen) and want to replace with about 10 of some diverse breeds (layers or dual breed). We'll start with chicks in a brooder and then carefully mix them in with our original flock when they're big enough. Araucanas are a definite as we'd love to see the colorful eggs. We like brown eggs, but would be ok with some white. Any suggestions of some of your favorites (layers) to mix in with all those Red Stars? Any photos of your diverse flocks?

Thanks!
Linda

 

[maybejoey]

top hat are my favorite but they tend to get picked on. Rhode island reds are great, they all have personalitys, dont know what color there eggs are yet.

Heres a link to a pic of my top hat.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/102380_pics_006.jpg

 

[Ridgerunner]

Realistically, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There are so many different breeds, colors, and patterns out there that would fit your criteria that that I have trouble coming up with any suggestions that stand out. Maybe think of that old song, red and yellow, black and white. You already have the red covered.

I suggest you go through Henderson's Breed Chart to sort of narrow it down, then check out some photos on Feathersite. With just a little care, it is hard to go wrong.

Henderson’s Breed Chart
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

Feathersite
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html

 

[10 point]

get some marans they come in three varieties and lay very dark brown eggs (chocolate colored) also get some olive eggers they lay olive colored eggs hence the name olive eggers. Neither of these breeds will lay like your red stars size or amount wise but have a nicer colored eggs.

there are a lot of cool looking breeds like BLRWyandottes but thats all up to personal taste that you can find in the breed index on BYC

 

[ECBW]

Just be aware that integrating birds (especially younger ones) can be challenging as you might have read on this site. It could disrupt the production of the existing birds.

 

[Judy]

Another resource for you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/breeds/breed-search.php

 

[Nava]

if you really want variety you can't go wrong with this breed, they lay a lot during the heat and cold, very calm bird

Chicks are cute too

 

[thedeacon]

Check out the Murry McMurry site. good descriptions and selections

 

[TN Henny Penny]

Thanks for the comments and links. I forgot about the helpful 'breeds' section of this site. Another question? With our future challenge of blending the younger birds into the flock, should breed temperament be a consideration in our selection? Would similar size be a factor for smoother transition as well? Thanks again!

 

[kinsey228]

My Wyandottes are the sweetest ones in my flock. They also come in soooo many different colors !