Which breed makes the most babies?

[Ultra]

I'm going to start raising chickens and would like to see my birds hatch out their own flocks. I like chicks and want alot of chicks without buying chicks, if you get my meaning. So which breed makes the most baby chicks?

 

[sourland]

Orpingtons and Australorps are dual purpose birds that are generally good setters and mothers.

 

[donrae]

Just a question, what are you going to do with the 50% rooster chicks? Knowing what purpose the animal will serve will help us guide you better.

 

[Ultra]

Just a question, what are you going to do with the 50% rooster chicks? Knowing what purpose the animal will serve will help us guide you better.

We're going to eat them as soon as they start crowing.

 

[subhanalah]

There won't be much there if you butcher when they start crowing. I had one start at 3 weeks (although, this is rather uncommon) and another at 7 weeks. My guy now is 13 weeks old and has been crowing reliably every morning for a few weeks now. Most people butcher dual purpose breeds at 18-20weeks. There are chickens ready to butcher at 6-8 weeks, but those aren't something you can really propagate in the manner you are wishing to pursue.

I say australorps because they are outstanding layers and have a good feed to egg conversion whereas the BOs eat more than what they are worth (in the eyes of many).
I really like the look of BOs though.


What you could do is get a Cochin or two for broodies and have a flock of leghorns or some sort of production breed or hybrid for the eggs.

Some production birds go broody too, so you really can't predict what kind of individuals you're going to get.

 

[Michael OShay]

There won't be much there if you butcher when they start crowing. I had one start at 3 weeks (although, this is rather uncommon) and another at 7 weeks. My guy now is 13 weeks old and has been crowing reliably every morning for a few weeks now. Most people butcher dual purpose breeds at 18-20weeks. There are chickens ready to butcher at 6-8 weeks, but those aren't something you can really propagate in the manner you are wishing to pursue.

I say australorps because they are outstanding layers and have a good feed to egg conversion whereas the BOs eat more than what they are worth (in the eyes of many).
I really like the look of BOs though.


What you could do is get a Cochin or two for broodies and have a flock of leghorns or some sort of production breed or hybrid for the eggs.

Some production birds go broody too, so you really can't predict what kind of individuals you're going to get.

Subhanalah has given you some good advice. Silkies make excellent broodies as well and being small chickens, they do not consume a lot of feed and there is little danger of them breaking eggs when they sit on them.