I was going to receive my chicks this week, but got a call today from My Pet Chicken saying they couldn't fill my order. Their options were to change my chick order to different breeds or wait until May 7th. They will also give me extra chicks for free or give me a credit for a future order . So I will be changing my order and getting the extra chicks. But what to get? My original order was 3 speckled sussex, 1 jersey giant, and 1 easter egger. I can get easter eggers anytime, but the other 2 breeds will have me waiting until may. I'm looking for good egg layers and docile birds.
Perhaps consider black australorps? My two are the friendliest in my little mixed flock.. they also don't try to peck through my hands when I'm hand feeding like my SLW's do!
I hear great things about leghorns. I'm a sucker for spots so I like to get chickens with as many spots as possible
Black Austrlorps or Buff Orpingtons will both fill your needs. The BA would be a better layer, though.
I guess that is as good a reason as any. Were you thinking California White, which are white with black spots, or Exchequer Leghorns, which are black and white mixed? Leghorns can be a little skittish around people, but the California White Leghorns are supposed to be more docile. Leghorns are one of the noisier breeds. But it you want eggs, you will get 6 eggs a week average in a year from Leghorns.
My Pet Chicken has Black Australorps and Barred Plymouth Rocks. Those breeds are good egg-layers and generally pretty docile. Barred Rocks will lay 4 eggs a week on average in a year and the Australorps will lay 5 eggs a week on average in a year.
I had a couple of BA. I gave them away after a year and will never get them again. Mine were very noisy, not friendly, and very poor egg layers. I have heard that this is pretty common for BA in the Pacific Northwest. I have no idea why. I also will not get Buff Orpingtons again. Mine seem like they are broody the entire summer. For good egg layers I have had great success with Gold Sex Links. They are very mellow birds and a little friendly. I have not tried Black Sex Links yet. I will be getting some this year. I have also had great luck with RIR. Great egg layers. I had one that was extremely friendly and wanted to be held anytime I walked in the run. Unfortunately she passed away last summer. The three I have now are great layers but not as friendly.
Are people in the Pacific Northwest getting Australorps from the same hatchery or something? Have you tried getting some from a different source? Noisy, not friendly, and not good egg-layers does not describe the average Australorp. Maybe the people in your area are getting birds from the same strain. Rhode Island Reds are very good egg-layers, but they usually aren't the friendliest breed. Again, you seemed to have an unusual bird in your extra friendly RIR. The sex-links are good for eggs, but if you plan to hatch eggs from them there is no telling what the chicks will be.
