What Is The Best Breed YOU Recommend?

[IRBchickenmama]

Hello, I have had chickens for some time, I highly recommend Buff Orphington, Black Austraulorp…. Gentle easygoing demeanor, at least 300 eggs per year,
Buffs lay around 240 per year and my flock has never been sick. I highly recommend both.

Giant thank you. Sisters are Appenzeller Silver spitz, Welsummers and coop mama is a Dr Whiting True Blue. Do you think that a Chocolate Orpington could work in this mix? BTW, love your handle! Made me really laugh

 

[IRBchickenmama]

Orpingtons, are calm friendly, decent layers and should go broody.
Australorps are good layers, never had one to go broody though.
One of my favorites is the New Hampshire, friendly, good layers and occasionally a hen will go broody.
Amber Stars, Red Stars are both friendly, excellent layers, but are a crossbred layer type and not likely to be broody.

I had a Leghorn go broody! What are the chances? I do live in Florida. Do you forsee any temperature issues with the high heat coming end of May/June? Can a Chocolate Orpington handle the heat? Do I need to make coop adjustments, etc?

 

[macmac955]

Thank you. Sister's are Welsummers, Appenzeller Silver Spitz's and coop mama is a Dr Whiting True Blue. Thoughts?

If you added a buff Orpington she would probably get along with the other flock members. They’re naturally at the bottom of the pecking order, so if you get one just make sure she isn’t bullied and she’ll get along just fine with them I’d think.

 

[IRBchickenmama]

If you added a buff Orpington she would probably get along with the other flock members. They’re naturally at the bottom of the pecking order, so if you get one just make sure she isn’t bullied and she’ll get along just fine with them I’d think.

Excellent info! Thank you! I will make sure this bird is taken care of and watch interactions among the group.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Others have had some great recommendations here. But I wanted to add Jersey Giant. I'm not sure about their mothering abilities yet because mine hasn't gone broody and I don't hatch eggs anyway, but mine is a solid layer and she is large (not even fully grown yet and is my largest chicken). Oh, and she's a lap chicken! Jumps up to be pet all the time and will fly up to my arm on command. Good in cold and hot weather.


I only have one so maybe not every JG would be like this. But she shows that they can be. Here's Ursula.
View attachment 3467079

Looks like my marigold also seems to love sitting on your lap just like my Mary!