What breeds to get?

[MikeGreenlee]

Trying to decide what breeds to buy. I'm looking to have a total of 5 birds for egg production but I would like the birds to be rather varied in appearance and produce a range of colored eggs from blue, brown, and green.
Does anyone have some suggestions on 5/6 breeds that might work for this?

 

[wamtazlady]

This year I got a white Leghorn for white eggs. They also lay a lot of large eggs. Bought an Easter Egger for the green eggs. Then I rounded it out with a Rhode Island Red for brown eggs. I would have preferred a New Hampshire but they were out of those. If I were to add another chicken for colored eggs I would probably get a Maran for their dark, nearly chocolate colored eggs.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Part of the answer depends on your climate. There are different breeds that do better in different climates. Like silkies don't do well in the really cold areas without adding heat to their coop. The Sapphire Gems that I have right now don't seem bothered by the cold at all.

Letting us know where you live - in very general terms, like state, will help you get better answers.

 

[igorsMistress]

Here's a guide to what color each type of chicken lays. I would research the breeds you're interested in to see if they're a good match for your climate
https://www.mypetchicken.com/backya...kens-lay-blue-eggs-Green-Pink-Olive-H389.aspx

 

[Alexandra33]

Knowing your climate would certainly be very helpful. I live in the Northern US, and my favorite breeds for production and the entire egg color spectrum are - Marans and Welsummers for dark chocolate to terra cotta eggs (some heavily speckled), Cream Legbars for blue, Easter Eggers for blue, green, and everything in between, and White Leghorns for white. (Olive Eggers can lay gorgeous eggs and be highly productive, too, if the Welsummer X Cream Legbar strain) Mine have done well in a temperature range from almost 100° to as low as -20° wind chill. Here's what my current egg basket looks like, keeping in mind the colors are a bit washed out:

 

[MikeGreenlee]

I’m in Central Valley CA. Really hot summers, mild winters.

 

[Severne]

I live in Redding area where summers get 115+ degrees and have never had any probs with any breed exept Cochin and Delaware. Especially hot climate productive breeds that a have had are
RIR
Leghorn
Barred Rock
A mix of breeds that lay blue eggs (call it EE crosses.)
Welsummer.
All of these breeds would give you some diversit.