What breed should I get?

[Maggieisabelle]

I have 3 chickens already and I want to get more. What breed should I get? I have a Rhode Island Red, Americauna, and Cuckoo Maran. Do Orpingtons lay a lot?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Nope they lay average plus can be broody. To me they are heavy bodied and if eggs is your goal I would go with something lighter like leghorn. Even though they may not hang out on your lap, they are great and entertaining birds. I'd personally choose any color Rock before Orpington.

Speckled Sussex, are the friendliest I have seen. But each bird is an individual. Have you seen these comparison tables...
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

https://livestockconservancy.org/images/uploads/docs/pickachicken.pdf

Best wishes, have fun!

 

[PachecoPeeps]

I personally love Orpingtons. Mine are 4 years old and still laying. They always get along really well with new chickens too. There are a couple of downsides though. If you live somewhere that gets really hot I wouldn’t get them. I probably won’t get them again because I just feel so bad every time it’s hot here.

Also in the 4 years I’ve had my Orpingtons only one has gone broody once.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Breed choices also depend on your climate; what works for me in Michigan, will be a poor choice in hot areas. Look at Eggsighted's recommended sites, and also at feathersite. I too really like Speckled Sussex hens! Orphingtons are fluffy colder weather birds, not so good in 100F! There are so many choices, just try some, and see what does well, and who you like.
Mary

 

[HH.Wench]

You could breed the Ameraucana to the Maran and make your own Olive Egger mixes.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I LOVE my Barred rocks and orpingtons!!! I could list so many breeds for you to get but can't speak out of expirence. I LOVE my silkie too!

 

[SweetTea&Chicks]

My Pet Chicken has a chicken selector tool. Haven't had too many chickens in my life yet. I had a sweet red sex link but I've heard they normally aren't sweet. I have just a three week old polish who is always excited to see me but time will tell how she turns out.

 

[Maggieisabelle]

I LOVE my Barred rocks and orpingtons!!! I could list so many breeds for you to get but can't speak out of expirence. I LOVE my silkie too!

I was looking for a silkie but there is none in my area I heard they are really sweet!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I was looking for a silkie but there is none in my area I heard they are really sweet!

Where is your area? I breed Silkies... and cannot recommend them since they are excessively broody. Some of mine are broody every third egg. Also, just like every other breed... they can be sweet or real beeyotches. For me they truly a labor of love.

You could breed the Ameraucana to the Maran and make your own Olive Egger mixes.

Well, if you try to breed two females together... you won't really get much of anything.

That being said, everyone thinks you can just breed blue egg cross Marans and get Olive eggers. I say meh! First generation aren't really guaranteed to be Olive layers... in addition to getting 3 eggs a week at best from that cross. They do sell perfectly well... and come out a lot more like Easter Eggers than Marans since feathered legs and beard tend to be dominant. They are pretty enough birds... but calling them Olive eggers in the first generation is just a misnomer to me.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I was looking for a silkie but there is none in my area I heard they are really sweet!

I LOVE mine!!! an I SO HOPE mine is SUPEEEEEER BROODYYY!!!!!!!