Hi I'm going to hatch some eggs in a incubator this Christmas. I would like some suggestions on what chicks I should get. Here are a few things that I would like the chicks to be able to do. Lay lots of eggs ( most important) Hardy Mix with other chickens Not bantam Don't need to get broody Don't need to be a table bird Thanks for the suggestions
Leghorns, Australorps, Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks are all good layers. Leghorns are more slender and mostly just produce eggs, but they might not be as hardy in cold temperatures, as they are a Mediterranean breed. By "mix with other chickens" it depends on the other chickens. If the others are smaller or much larger you may have trouble. Also you know that you are likely to end up with half roosters with hatched eggs, so if you don't plan to eat them you may need to make plans for them.
Quote:Unless you're in a really cold area where frostbite to their combs would be a concern it sounds like one of the Leghorn varieties would fill your bill.
Leghorn is white egg layer, which produce many eggs that you see at the store. It is flighty and skittish. Here is my choice: Delaware, Barred rock, Australorp, RIR and Sex-link.
I love my Australorps...out of my six currently laying I get 5 eggs 90% of days with 6 on some days and 4 on the others...never less. My BA-Ameraucana EE`s are good layers too...one of them has laid us a lovely olive egg every day this month.
just one breed or are you wanting a rainbow of eggs? There are alot of good egg laying breeds available. I read too about the Australorps being excellent layers. Other good breeds that have excellent ratings for eggs are Orpingtons and Wyandottes. Ameraucanas lay blue/green eggs for nice colored eggs. And then you have the dark chocolate egg layers like the Maurons. I think the Barnevelder is also supposed to be an excellent layer from the books I read.
What you're asking for is something that people sell in chick form more often than hatching eggs. Hatching eggs are for the more hard to find varieties or show quality varieties, not production birds. I'd suggest just about any common breed such as Australorps, Orpingtons, Rocks, Production Reds. . . I'm sure someone has eggs available locally.
Australops will do you good. They lay exceptionally, are beefy enough to be a table bird, and quite hardy if you ask me.
