What should I have in my new flock?

[TheUniqueChickenWhisperer]

What are some good egg-layer chickens that are big, friendly, easily handled, and can stand cold winters/hot summers (In New England)? We have 2 barred rocks (1 barred rock hen, the other a rooster [The hens son!]) and a red ranger hen, we need some that will fit in with them and can get along. Rooster doesn't have enough hens so he only mates one, and she is getting hurt and can't grow back her feathers because of that. We are thinking about Bufforpingtons, Bramhas, Jersey giants. Need more ideas...

 

[Kiki]

I vote for Australorps.

 

[TheUniqueChickenWhisperer]

I vote for Australorps.

Ok thanks, we had that in mind too

 

[Kiki]

Having about 10-12 hens per rooster is a good idea...to help keep the girls from being over mated.
Are you able to get your hen numbers up that much?

 

[Kessel23]

Rhode Island Reds

 

[TheUniqueChickenWhisperer]

Having about 10-12 hens per rooster is a good idea...to help keep the girls from being over mated.
Are you able to get your hen numbers up that much?

 

[TheUniqueChickenWhisperer]

Yes the only reason why we have so few is because we hatched our own chicks this past spring, Family of weasels lived next to the chicken coop and got about three chicks,we killed all of the 7 weasels and out of the other eight chicks ended up being roosters, only one was a hen. We are planning on getting around 10 more hens this spring.

 

[TheUniqueChickenWhisperer]

Having about 10-12 hens per rooster is a good idea...to help keep the girls from being over mated.
Are you able to get your hen numbers up that much?

For some reason our rooster AND our other hen are mating a hen named George! Hens aren’t supposed to mate? Why is this? Lol

 

[Kiki]

For some reason our rooster AND our other hen are mating a hen named George! Hens aren’t supposed to mate? Why is this? Lol

She is probably just being a boss...being dominant.

 

[TheUniqueChickenWhisperer]

She is probably just being a boss...being dominant.

Maybe so, she is pecking her and when George is eating, Henny Penny (the hen that mates) will come by and George will immediately move so she’s not in her way. Thanks for all the info.