I have a hybrid called "golden comet". They are super layers. The eggs are usually so big they do not fit in an egg carton made for extra large eggs. Of couse, for recipes, I have to cut down on the egg quantity I use.
They vary in color and pattern enough that I can tell them apart easily, but they are an orangey red with varying amounts of white. The one with the most white feathering lays eggs that are really pale, almost pink colored. The hen with the least white coloring lays a really dark and shiney brown egg. The middle colored hen lays a standard brown colored egg like in the grocery store. A benefit to this is that I know who is laying, or who is having problems. They each have a distinct personality, with one hen being very clever and friendly, one being a less friendly bossy girl, and the third will avoid human contact and freaks out if she cannot see the other two.
The problems in having hybrid hens is that they will not breed true--no telling what you might get if you hook them up with a rooster--and because they lay so frequently, they have a shortened useful laying life.
So you have to ask what your goals are...
It seems laying is your main goal, from your question. So what are your needs? How many eggs a week do you expect to use? I get enough eggs that the dog get eggs, my mom gets eggs, we eat more eggs than I actually want, and we still have enough to give a dozen away to a poor family every few weeks... All from just 3 hens!
Do you want to spend time to make them more human tolerant, or do want a breed that is known for adapting to humans quickly?
And of course, after browsing through BYC, I fell in love with the looks of hens I now cannot get because we have our limit. If I did not still have my girls, I would actually go for a different breed, despite how well my chickens lay. My chickens are not ugly, by any means, but I would love to have one each of the breeds I like.
On the other hand, my girls blend in with the surroundings really well: their coloring is very similar to fallen leaves, which is a consideration if you plan to free range. I am sure their coloring helped them hide from a hawk on several occassions. When the hawk came into the yard, they ducked under a bush and stayed still and quiet until I got out to chase the hawk off. Sometimes even I can't see them until they move or make noise.
Another consideration is what you want the eggs for: do you plan to sell them? Is so, you would to gage how well colored eggs sell...people who are not used to them may not want them.
Is dying them for Easter really important to you? If so, then are going to want at least one hen that lays white eggs.
So, I hope that helps a bit! Good luck!!
I cant believe how many eggs you get from just 3 chickens is that is completely insane.. my coop.will hold up to 5 chickens so was planning on a couple of different breeds. Will definantly keep these in kind though
