Which 3 breeds??

[GlennaL]

We are new to backyard chickens. Currently we are building our coop and plan to get chicks in the spring. Our coop will be big enough for six chickens so we were thinking of getting three different breeds (2 each). Or do you think we should stick with all of the same kind? We live in Kansas so we can have hot summer days as well as cold winters. We are doing this for the eggs and not the meat. If we go with three breeds which three do you all recommend? Thank you.

Glenna

 

[redsoxs]

Hi, Glenna, from another Kansan! Wow! Tough question. With so many great breeds to choose from its hard to narrow it down to just 3! I have a flock of over thirty now that comprise at least 18 breeds. I like the variety pack look in the yard as well as the egg basket.
I tend to shy away from the Mediterranean class chickens....leghorns, anconas, etc. They handle heat well (but have large combs that can get frost bitten), lay very well, and are economical to keep as they are light eaters. But to me they are always flighty and spooky for no good reason. I hate walking past the coop or run and have my chickens react like I was chasing the with an axe!
I tend to like calmer breeds and have had great luck with red stars and black stars (red and black sex links). Great layers of brown eggs and friendly birds. Easter Eggers are also great for greenish eggs and are smaller bodied. I love Buff Orps and Black Autralorps but for me they tend to go broody more than most and I have lost a couple to overheating when they are just possessed about being on the nest. Also lots of luck in the past with Delawares, Marans, all the Rocks, Wyandottes...you name it. I also have Naked Necks which are great if you're in the market for something different. Perhaps my favorite is Speckled Sussex....the most beautiful chicken in my opinion and calm. Hard to go wrong with all the great choices and everyone has their favorites! It all depends on what you are looking for in the yard. Best of luck in your search!

 

[GlennaL]

Thank you very much redsoxs. You have given me some very good tips. We also want calm birds and non-flighty ones. I have read different comments about hens going broody. What would happen if you try to remove the broody hen from the nest and block off the nesting box? Just curious. I'm sure it's more complicated than that though. I will definitely check out the Speckled Sussex. Sounds interesting. Where would you suggest we get our chicks? Mail order? Or are there some good places here in Kansas we could go in person? I think I'd prefer that. Thanks again.

Glenna

 

[dekel18042]

We are new to backyard chickens. Currently we are building our coop and plan to get chicks in the spring. Our coop will be big enough for six chickens so we were thinking of getting three different breeds (2 each). Or do you think we should stick with all of the same kind? We live in Kansas so we can have hot summer days as well as cold winters. We are doing this for the eggs and not the meat. If we go with three breeds which three do you all recommend? Thank you.

Glenna

So many choices and only three breeds. oooooh! I agree with Redsoxs about the Mediterranean breeds. If you're in it for the eggs and want a colorful egg basket I would get three breeds that lay different colors. Maybe Easter eggers for blue or blue green eggs,(or even an olive egger) buckeyes, production birds or another cold hardy breed for brown and if you want dark, go with Marans or welsummers or prefer white, we have California greys. They all seem to stand the big variations we have between summer heat and humidity and our sub freezing winters.

 

[redsoxs]

Thank you very much redsoxs.  You have given me some very good tips.  We also want calm birds and non-flighty ones.  I have read different comments about hens going broody.  What would happen if you try to remove the broody hen from the nest and block off the nesting box?  Just curious.  I'm sure it's more complicated than that though.  I will definitely check out the Speckled Sussex.  Sounds interesting.  Where would you suggest we get our chicks?  Mail order?  Or are there some good places here in Kansas we could go in person?  I think I'd prefer that.  Thanks again.

Glenna

There are a couple options for your birds. I usually go the mail order route. The large hatcheries (Murray McMurray, Ideal, Meyer, Strombergs, etc.) are very reputable and my birds get delivered in good shape. I have also picked up birds from local farm and ranch stores...Orscheln's and Tractor Supply. They are also commercial hatchery birds that these places purchase and sell. Kind of takes the guesswork out of surviving the journey in the mail, but the choices are. Ore limited than if you order from a hatchery. I am sure there are local folks that may hatch and sell. Craigslist is good for that. Also, visit the Kansas thread if you wish and ask around. Here's the link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/248925/consolidated-kansas

 

[redsoxs]

Thank you very much redsoxs.  You have given me some very good tips.  We also want calm birds and non-flighty ones.  I have read different comments about hens going broody.  What would happen if you try to remove the broody hen from the nest and block off the nesting box?  Just curious.  I'm sure it's more complicated than that though.  I will definitely check out the Speckled Sussex.  Sounds interesting.  Where would you suggest we get our chicks?  Mail order?  Or are there some good places here in Kansas we could go in person?  I think I'd prefer that.  Thanks again.

Glenna

Your broody hen question...there are certainly ways to "break a broody" but blocking off the best box usually is not successful as a broody hen has such a compulsion that she will simply hunker down wherever and the cycle continues. One thing that works is putting her in a mesh bottomed cage, off the ground, with food and water for several days. Like a dog kennel. When they set on the ground either with or without eggs, they still have that instinct and the heat they develop as if they were incubating eggs seems to perpetuate the cycle. The mesh bottomed cage seems to break them of this.

 

[Gray Farms]

Orpingtons, Brahmas, & Plymouth Rocks. Your choice of colors.