What breed/breeds should I get

[Egghead_Jr]

Quote:
The New Hampshires were breed from RIR's to be faster maturing. The sacrifice is a few less eggs.
Sussex is also an excellent cold hardy breed. Locally you'll only find the Speckled variety. There is a breeder of many varieties in Claremeont, NH. They're a wee pricey at $8/ pullet selling at 4 weeks but does have older birds (5 month plus) she will sell for $15 if you ask. She posts on Craigslist.

A nice tool for checking out breeds is on Mypetchicken. You can select for cold hardy, docile, non-broody, good egg production...etc. It's a great little tool.

Economical way of getting started if your into hatching your own would be the hatching eggs here in auction or even on Ebay. You can find great deals, breeders with web pages will be selling over stock cheeper on Ebay Good deals on Light Sussex eggs, dual purpose breed said to lay better than the speckled variety.

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

I know some that are good for eggs, and they seem very good for winter. They're rather small, however. They lay big eggs though! Golden sex links, or some hatcheries call them Golden Buffs. I have four, but I live in Cali...

 

[Egghead_Jr]

So many great cold hardy dual purpose breeds. I started with peeps from my local Agway this spring. The Star's (sex-links) are not heritiage but great birds with garuntee of pullets only. Local feed stores here in NH stock up in Spring, some are by order only. But with me just starting out 2.50 per bird was a good bet. The black star had her first egg last friday and only missed one day of laying since! 6 for 7 days, not bad at all. The barred rock is 3 for 5 days so far but it's still early. Waiting on the RIR...they are almost 24 weeks.

The breeder I'd mentioned in Claremont also carries chockoo marans. If your looking for something for winter to get started I'd look at Craigslist searching "pullet", "hen" or "chicken". I'd like a dark egger too, just not ready to sacrifice the egg production as they are 150 per year compared to the RIR, Star or Australorp hitting 300 eggs per year.

 

[Lbrad7]

Any birds that are considered "heavy breeds" would be fine. Rhode Island is near NH and their state bird is a chicken!

You can't go wrong with Rhode Island Reds, any of the Plymouth Rocks, any of the Wyandottes, Jersey Giants or Marans. If you like the blue or green eggs, Easter Eggers would be fine as well.

You don't have to make it complicated searching out breeders. (unless you plan to show them) Just grab a McMurray Hatchery catalog and pick out any of the heavy breeds that catch your eye. All of those above mentioned birds would be fine.

Good luck to you and welcome to the addiction!

 

[egg proof]

I live in the Adirondacks and my RIR started at 20 weeks and hasn't looked back. 1 a day brand.

 

[BarredBuff]

Dominiques, Orpingtons, Australorps, Wyandottes

 

[Adopted Chickenman]

Hey, have you tried the chicken breed selector tool at MyPetChicken.com. It is a pretty great tool and I have used it several times. In fact, I have purchased all my chicken from them and have had only one die on me the day after I received them through the mail. And of course, they refunded me my money. Very good custormer service and no cost for the chicken selector tool. Only five little questions. Bye

 

[ArieBLB]

I would suggest, pick a breed that you like. New Hampshires I find them very nice, but you must look at it, eat the eggs or eat the animals themselves.
There are many beautifull breeds that you can hold. Wyandottes are very beautiful and peaceful animals. In the past I had Silver penciled Wyandottes.

Good luck finding your breed. Greetings Arie

 

[Toi-toi]

My in-law in northern NH is getting chickens next spring and they are going to buy RIR.
They said they had RIR before and it was good birds with cold winter.

 

[matthewjam72]

I suggest Dominiques also known as Dominicker thats what I have adult roosters are 7-8 pounds hens are 5-6 pounds and lay a nice brown egg