which breeds to choose from

[jolenep]

we are just starting out. Do you have a page describing the different breeds.
I cannot decide between the cucoo maran, white plymouth rock and the golden laced wyandottes. Would they get along?

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

We do have a Breeds page. There is a tab at the top of this page that says "Breeds" or you can click here....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/category/chicken-breeds

Chickens don't recognize different breeds from themselves, so generally they do get along. Things that can cause "arguing" in the coop are not enough space, not enough food or waterers, boredom, health issues etc... Smaller chickens can be picked on by big chickens. If you keep them proper, they should all get along just fine.

Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!

 

[TwoCrows]

I also like either of these charts too, both of which can help you to decide on the breed you wish to keep...

http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

 

[jolenep]

thank you very much. This really really helped. what is a setter and a non-setter?

 

[Percheron chick]

Broody vs not broody tendency.
Hatchery cuckoo marans lay a disappointing light brown egg. If you want them for dark eggs I would go with a welsummer or barnevelder if you can not find a French marans.

 

[lazy gardener]

we are just starting out. Do you have a page describing the different breeds.
I cannot decide between the cucoo maran, white plymouth rock and the golden laced wyandottes. Would they get along?

Check out Henderson's Chicken Breeds Chart.

 

[TwoCrows]

X2 on the above posts!

A setter is going to be a bird that goes "broody" easily (wants to hatch chicks). These types of breeds are great if you keep a rooster and want your hens to hatch their eggs. They see a pile of eggs and they are eager to brood them!

Non setters are less likely to go broody or less often. They usually lay their eggs and want nothing to do with them after they are laid. If you are keeping chickens for eating the eggs and as pets, you will do better with a less broody hen. Broodies can be a pain in the rear if you dont want them to be broody.