What breeds would you recommend to add color and variety to my flock?

[AinaWGSD]

You may want to avoid polish and other heavily crested breeds. Those lovely poofy head feathers mean they can't see well and are more likely to be bullied by your current hens.

I love my cream legbar. She's curious and friendly and certainly has plumage that would differ from the hens you already have. Plus they're auto sexing so there's almost no chance for an accidental rooster.

I did consider barnevelders, I think they would be a solid choice and their double laced plumage would stand out in your flock.

Another breed I considered was Bielefelders. The red cuckoo pattern would be different from any of your other hens, they're an auto sexing breed, and they're non broody.

Silver penciled rocks are stunning, and if you like your barred rock you'd probably be happy with them.

I also have a sapphire jewel and I gotta say she is one of my favorites. She's somewhat friendly but definitely more flighty than my other girls.

My favorite chicken is the cookies and cream hybrid. Unfortunately, I don't think they would be a good fit. My girl is incredibly bad at being a chicken, and I feel like if I were to try to introduce her into an established flock she would be horribly picked on.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

#Silver and golden laced Wyandottes

#Russian Orloff
https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/heritage-breeds-list/orloff-chicken/#:~:text=They're classified as non,more aggressive birds, if necessary.

#Exchequer Leghorn
https://images.app.goo.gl/2g2Q15qTnHui5qRU6

#French Black Copper or Blue Copper Marans

Some great options! I wanted Leghorns but I don't think I can have them because they aren't too cold hardy.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I did think about those! But then I realized they probably won't do well in our winters here in Cleveland. It's cold, windy, and icy with lake-effect snow. I feel like that neck would be frostbitten.

Mine do fine here in Montana. Their necks are surprisingly warm and resilient

 

[LaFleche]

Some great options! I wanted Leghorns but I don't think I can have them because they aren't too cold hardy.

Kraienköppe are very cold hardy prolific winter layers that are friendly and easy to handle despite their gamefowl looks.

http://www.kraienkoeppe.de/

 

[GlicksChicks]

I would suggest a lavender breed, they have some pretty colors!

Speckled Sussex is also recommended! They are beautiful and sweet as can be!

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

You may want to avoid polish and other heavily crested breeds. Those lovely poofy head feathers mean they can't see well and are more likely to be bullied by your current hens.

I love my cream legbar. She's curious and friendly and certainly has plumage that would differ from the hens you already have. Plus they're auto sexing so there's almost no chance for an accidental rooster.

I did consider barnevelders, I think they would be a solid choice and their double laced plumage would stand out in your flock.

Another breed I considered was Bielefelders. The red cuckoo pattern would be different from any of your other hens, they're an auto sexing breed, and they're non broody.

Silver penciled rocks are stunning, and if you like your barred rock you'd probably be happy with them.

I also have a sapphire jewel and I gotta say she is one of my favorites. She's somewhat friendly but definitely more flighty than my other girls.

My favorite chicken is the cookies and cream hybrid. Unfortunately, I don't think they would be a good fit. My girl is incredibly bad at being a chicken, and I feel like if I were to try to introduce her into an established flock she would be horribly picked on.

I found out you can trim the crests of the Polish hens. Do you know if that helps? I always steered clear of them for the reasons you listed, but once I heard you can trim it, I have started to wonder about the breed.

I had the same thoughts about the Legbars and Barnevelders. Beautiful birds! Might be solid options.

I looked at the Bielefelders too, and they are beautiful. I'd definitely consider them, but I don't know anyone who has them!

I love my Barred Rock. The only thing making me question if I wanted the Penciled Rock is that it's similar to the barred pattern, and I may be also getting a White Rock because I'm fairly set on having an all white chicken. But I do love that penciled pattern...

I'll look into Sapphire Jewels.

Those Cookies and Creams are so cute! But what makes yours "bad at being a chicken"?

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Kraienköppe are very cold hardy prolific winter layers that are friendly and easy to handle despite their gamefowl looks.

http://www.kraienkoeppe.de/

Never heard of these! I wonder where I could get them. I am doing an order of Cornish X for the fall so I was hoping to order from somewhere I can get the CX and also the laying breeds I want.

I would suggest a lavender breed, they have some pretty colors!

Speckled Sussex is also recommended! They are beautiful and sweet as can be!

Lavender is beautiful! I need to find one that isn't broody.

Unfortunately the SS's are broody One day when I have a farm I hope to get all the broody breeds that I want but can't have lol. This is one of them! They are gorgeous.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Mine do fine here in Montana. Their necks are surprisingly warm and resilient

I'm surprised! I thought I always heard they couldn't take the cold, so that's good to know. That's certainly a unique-looking bird lol

 

[LaFleche]

Mine do fine here in Montana. Their necks are surprisingly warm and resilient

Like this?

https://images.app.goo.gl/wqDU3gSoHMVypV6J8

 

[LaFleche]

The above video is from Germany.

Greenfire seem to have had them:
Post in thread 'Kraienkoeppe Thread!' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/kraienkoeppe-thread.634496/post-15400654