What breed should I try next? What are your favorites?

[Sportsterjeep]

Quote:
Ya know, darn brahmas are really starting to grow on me. Acid even talked me into getting some come spring.

 

[Keara]

Australorp, very friendly and good layers, but slow to mature. I also like my Marans so far and you can't beat those pretty dark eggs! For something more common, Barred Rocks have always been my most reliable layers with great temperments.

 

[cbeth95]

I went through a breed list today, and found some possible choices:

Cochin
Plymouth Rock
Polish
Silkie
Sussex
Brahmas
Sexlink


Do any of these sound good?

I live in New Hampshire, and it does get pretty cold in the winter. But I really want some Silkies. Would it be possible at all for me to keep them?

 

[gritsar]

The LF brahmas will be virtually care free in your winters. No big combs to worry about freezing and their foot feathers keep their toes toasty. They are a slow to mature breed. I saw better egg production during their second winter than I did their first (even though they did good their first winter). My brahmas are just a few months shy of 3 years old and still laying well. I have 12 hens and I'm averaging 5 to 6 eggs a day.

More experienced silkie keepers can tell you how they do in northern winters. I worry about my two when temps. drop; justified or not. Right now I'm hoping my two silkies don't get any ideas of going broody (they are 7 months old). I have a broody SF and a broody meatie already. I couldn't deal with a third.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Ya know, darn brahmas are really starting to grow on me. Acid even talked me into getting some come spring.

You should! You should! Wonderful birds.

 

[PamB]

I have silkies in New England and they seem to be fine with the cold. On really cold/windy days, they prefer to hang out in the coop. The coop is insulated but no heat is provided. None of them roost, they all sleep in a big pile on the floor and I think they keep eachother very warm this way. I only have Silkies, so I am biased. Only two of mine have begun laying, but I still get one egg from each almost every day without providing any artificial light. I have one broody now. She has done this twice since she started laying in September. My silkies are very friendly and the ones that I raised from babies, sit on our laps all the time. They all will eat from your hand.

 

[KC n KY]

Blue Laced Red Wyandottes. They are big, fluffy, beautiful, gentle, and good layers. They are also winter hardy. Both of mine are still laying( I think

)

Edited for spelling

 

[Judy]

Many on here feel Silkies need heat when other breeds don't. Their feathers certainly don't provide the protection that normal chicken feathers do. Gritsar mentioned she is concerned about that. Although she does not provide heat, she is in a relatively mild climate.

You will probably not get good egg production from Silkies. As the jokes indicate, they tend to stay broody so much that they barely get around to laying.

If you like feathered legs and don't mind feeding large birds in trade for winter eggs, Brahmas may be the one for you. I've never had them, just read a lot about them.

 

[ozarkmomma]

My cochins have become my favorite. I also have Salmon Faverolles, EE's, Welsumner, Brahma, Marans but I love my Cochins.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Quote:
May I ask where yours are from? I'm looking for some high production Barred Rocks!