which breed should I choose

[davony's chicks]

I just recently bought my first chicks. I bought barred rock, new hampshire reds and rhode island reds. My neighbor gave me 8 chicks of which there were 3 barred rock and we are unsure of the rest.
My interest is Australorps, Wyandottes, cochins and faverolles.
I cant decide which ones to stick with. I want eggs and maybe hopefully a breed that will set their own eggs. I also want beautiful birds.
Got any opinions???

Thanks

 

[Judy]

You might get a broody or two from the ones you have, but other breeds are more likely to go broody, including Silkies, Kraienkoppes, and Old English Game. Henderson's breed chart gives an estimate of number and size of eggs per week, but you have some good laying breeds already. I believe cochins also tend to go broody but not sure, and I don't think they lay a lot even if not broody.

A couple of websites, if you have not seen them:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html
http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

My Australorps are easy to handle and my hen laid 6/week all winter. My Wyandottes are mean and flighty. My Kraienkoppe is sweet and gentle, the only one who is a pet, and she is currently setting on eggs, having already raised a chick last year.

 

[davony's chicks]

Thanks, I have not seen either of these links yet.

I have been looking at Columbian Rock and Columbian Cochin because I think they are striking birds. I love the black Austalorps too.

I think I will keep the ones I have for layers and maybe get a few of the above mentioned just for their looks.

hahaha