What breeds should I get? What colors?

[talkinboutchickens]

The only thing about ISA browns, is they are a production breed. They lay lots of eggs in their first 2 years of life but they may drop off quite hard after that. Plus they are going to be more prone to reproductive issues and thus may not live as long

That is a good point you have, we'll keep that in mind I will tell my fam about that but their minds are set quite hard on ISA's so I'm not sure if that'll phase them

 

[FrostRanger]

That is a good point you have, we'll keep that in mind I will tell my fam about that but their minds are set quite hard on ISA's so I'm not sure if that'll phase them

Totally fair. They certainly aren't bad chickens but it is very much something to watch out for. You certainly will have more eggs than you know what to do with (although I think that is more the nature of chicken keeping lol)

 

[Seaslug]

Wonderful slide show. I am sure you will enjoy them. And your appreciation of them will change over time, most likely. Our California White is the least "cuddly" of our hens, which was something that I was looking for... but she is the only one of our first six who is still alive and she has lots of great characteristics. She is also a wonderful layer.

 

[Faithjo]

I would personally reccomend RIRs, I’ve heard they can be not so nice but they are great layers. Personally I have one and she is pretty much at the bottom of the pecking order and not aggressive, I have a silver laced Wyandotte as well, they are gorgeous birds, my aunt had blue laced red Wyandottes and they have some of the most gorgeous colors and feather patterns. I love olive and Easter eggers for beautiful eggs and my EEs lay pretty well. I can’t say much on speckled Sussex or marans, I have some baby chicks but I haven’t dealt with them grown yet. Imo speckled Sussex’s have gorgeous coloring and they are suppose to lay well. I have 4 SS chicks right now, but only one cuckoo Maran(last one available). I’m excited about them!! It really comes down to personal preference though!!

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Okay their is only one of those breeds I do not recommend. If you are wanting this chicks for partly as pets I would not get ISA Brown. It will only end in heartbreak. They usually die within the first 3 years of life due to reproduction issues.

I recommend Buff Orpingtons!!!!!!

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Totally fair. They certainly aren't bad chickens but it is very much something to watch out for. You certainly will have more eggs than you know what to do with (although I think that is more the nature of chicken keeping lol)

lmao we already have more eggs than we know what do with having only 10 hens! Now I can only imagine having 17 hens lol!! Well I guess that's what we want- enough eggs to pay off the feed every month! Probably not gonna happen, because we have 3 almost 5-year old hens, who will stop laying (Phyllis has probably stopped laying, Winnie as well, but not our EE Flo yet!) Our 3 year old (almost 4) white rock will also stop laying soon probably. Our sapphire gem and light brahma (turning 3,) are close behind But it's safe to say they might have another good year of laying left

 

[akroberts1085]

My first chicks were RIR's. I tried to choose so that they would not get broody. I have a EE, OE, WL and a BSL. My RIR's are the best. Darlin is the sweetest girl ever. She got into my neighbor's yard because I didn't close the gates and my neighbor picked her up and started loving on her and she said WOW you really are a sweetheart. Her son wanted to hold her and she didn't try to hurt him nor escape from him. I can go outside and call Darlin as I walk and she will follow me almost anywhere I go. I genuinely believe that we are responsible for the temperament of our flock.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

My first chicks were RIR's. I tried to choose so that they would not get broody. I have a EE, OE, WL and a BSL. My RIR's are the best. Darlin is the sweetest girl ever. She got into my neighbor's yard because I didn't close the gates and my neighbor picked her up and started loving on her and she said WOW you really are a sweetheart. Her son wanted to hold her and she didn't try to hurt him nor escape from him. I can go outside and call Darlin as I walk and she will follow me almost anywhere I go. I genuinely believe that we are responsible for the temperament of our flock.

AWWW that's adorable!