What breeds should I get!!!!

[JustBabyMargo]

i want smaller eggs a lot of my massive egg layers got egg bound or died early

Cochins would be a good one for you, I think. They lay smaller eggs and don’t generally have laying problems. The four of mine never have.

 

[Coops Dad]

California Whites might be a good choice; they free range well, prolific layers, they get to be standard size and are reasonably meaty- not a true dual purpose bird but a decent meal for a small family. I'd have switched over my whole flock to CWs if it wasn't for the hawks around here. I have ONE white bird out of the 50+/- flock because (I surmise) they can be seen from a million miles away. I had a dozen White Leghorns and a dozen CWs two years ago but all but one WL were spirited away by raptors in the first six months.

Yes, I'm bitter

I also have a few Cuckoo Marans; not the prolific layers that the CWs were but the eggs are GORGEOUS. They take 4-6 months to size up, too.

I just hatched some Bresse chicks; they're almost 4 months old now and are little bowling balls- they have a build that reminds me of a slightly less robust Cornish. They're also reputed to be egg machines pumping out 250-280 large to XL eggs a year.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

That's amazing!!
but my rooster would crush a bantam hen

Is he standard? No problem then can be bred by a standard rooster. I have this huge standard NN that sometimes breeds with my little bantams. Another breed Id recommend are salmon faverolle, I’ve never raised them but I’ve read that they are good layers and even lay during the winter.

I haven't gotten his weight but I have picked him up
about 8-11lbs

let me edit

also mine is MEAN drawn blood and is probably the reason for a lot of the blood on chickens.

So your rooster is mean?

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

I haven't gotten them yet, but Delawares are a bird that seem to check all of your boxes. I've wanted them for a while now, particularly the McMurray Delaware Enhanced broiler, because they are bred more like an older style Delaware, which was a true dual purpose (great for both meat and eggs). I think most hatchery Delawares these days are more bred for egg laying, but McMurray bred the meat back into them. They are supposed to be friendly and cold hardy as well. And I think they are simply gorgeous!

https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/delaware-broiler.html

 

[Yard Farmer]

I'd say Sappire gems or Rhode island red.
My Sappires are amazing egg layers, and very calm.
Same with my RIR, she's a great egg layer and very sweet. She'll eat out of my hand.

 

[Coops Dad]

I'd say Sappire gems or Rhode island red.
My Sappires are amazing egg layers, and very calm.
Same with my RIR, she's a great egg layer and very sweet. She'll eat out of my hand.

RIRs are great BUT they're the bossiest chickens I've ever had. They're bold, inquisitive and won't hesitate to explore any new space- an open door or window means chicken poop in the house; a car door left ajar or trunk left open will result in a chicken or three scratching through the cupholders for snacks.

They are the best at showing other chickens their place in the flock through merciless corrections. If the rest of your flock is mild mannered birds, they will be plucked bald-necked in short order.

They're excellent free rangers and are commonly halfway down our 1/4 mile long driveway looking for bugs, lizards and mice.

 

[Coops Dad]

To give you an idea of the size difference between Bresse and Rhodies, these are Bresse and RIR chicks hatched on 10/10/22. They're the same age, to the very day. Ignore the two Broad Breasted White turkeys in back, LOL. The Red Bourbon tom that's scheduled as a Christmas dinner guest won't leave them alone so I penned them with the bebes.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Faverolles are great. They're friendly, chatty, good layers and hearty.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

fauvacauna

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Barred Rocks 100%. I have had many breeds, but my BR's are by far superior.

- New breeds - Yessssir
- 4-5 eggs a week - heck yah, sometimes 7!!!
- Good for all weather* - ya betcha
- dual purpose - o jah mon
- calm/docile* - Inanely calm and easily won over
- parasite resistance* - I've had 15ish BR's the last 3 years and have only lost healthy birds due to age.
-****NOT A BANTAM**** Yes ma'am.