Which Chickens to get for new flock?

[Folly's place]

For heat tolerance, high egg production, and foraging ability, look at white Leghorns, or other small sized single comb Mediterranean breed types. They are not dual purpose, but egg layers.
Big fluffy birds do well in the cold, but not so much in constant heat.
Look at Henderson's breed chart for lots of choices too.
A dual purpose breed won't lay as many eggs as a Leghorn type, and won't grow as insanely fast as a Cornishx meat bird either.
Also look at the land you have available for them. Birds known as 'great foragers' may travel to the neighbors, or across the road, and neither will be good.
My birds free range on our farm whenever possible, and have food available 24/7 in their coop. They eat as much as they need at any time. Restricting food is not a better idea!
Mary

 

[PincoPoultry]

Good. So many times I see posts where folks want the birds to 100% forage for their food.

Oh no,they need food, I've seen that too. We just want a breed that is better than our orpington.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Oh no,they need food, I've seen that too. We just want a breed that is better than our orpington.

I am thinking Mediterranean breeds would do well in the heat.
I had one blue Andalusian (bought as a chick as something else) she was a great forager, wonderful layer and handled our hot summers well.
Of course that is a sample size of one.

 

[Folly's place]

Here I avoid the Mediterranean breeds, or any with really big combs and wattles, or any described as great foragers. It gets cold here, and the coop is not far from our neighbors, although it's fenced.
Game breeds, as already mentioned (those feral birds!) do great, but lay few eggs.
Mary

 

[Love-my-girls]

We are looking between 3 different breeds of chicken to get and keep finding conflicting information on them and was looking for any insight or information/experience with these breeds to see which one would be best for a new flock. We are looking at the Black Australorps, New Hampshire Reds, and Plymouth Rocks. Which breed is the better forager and wouldn't need as much feed and which breed has the best egg production all year? We heard they were all a pretty good dual purpose bird for meat and egg. We live in Florida, not sure if that information is relevant. Thank you everyone for any information.

I have 2 Black Australorps that I am very pleased with. They’re beautiful birds with their incredibly soft black iridescent feathers. They aren’t as friendly as my Orpingtons but they they mind their own business and don’t pick fights with the others. They are a large breed that does better in cooler temperatures. Good luck!

 

[SpiderinFL]

You are on the right track with breeds that are well suited for the Florida environment. Most breeds heritage’ are being foragers. Some are better at this than others, and of course has a lot to do with what your land has to offer as far as grains/seeds/insects. It’s always best to offer food/oyster shell/supplements should your land not have what’s needed for a long-lived heathy bird. If you are in a family environment with children that will be partaking in the festivities/chores, you may want to go with Australorps & Rocks as they are more social. However, if this is simply a non-pet scenario that is focused on meat/egg production, any will be good. All these hens range between 6-7 pounds.

The Australorp is both cold and heat hardy. A year-round outstanding layer of large brown eggs, that is not broody and is peaceful and dignified. A very happy dual-purpose (meat and egg) chicken.

The New Hampshire Red is cold and heat hardy. A good year-round layer of extra-large brown eggs. Tends to be broody. Dual purpose. Nervous, flighty, aggressive, and competitive. Does well in confined spaces. "New Hampshire Red" is actually a misnomer. Correct breed name is New Hampshire.

The Plymouth Rock(Barred Rock) is both cold and heat hardy. The Barred type is the original Plymouth Rock. An excellent to outstanding layer of large tinted/cream colored eggs. Broody yet docile. A hardy breed that is long-lived. Dual purpose. A sex-link breed meaning that the males and females can be differentiated from birth simply by color. Easy to dress feathers. Tame easily and easy to handle. Friendly, curious, and adapts well to confinement. Withstands inclement weather well. Barred Rock hens tend to be quite vocal and make a lot of sounds, but they generally do so quietly. Good in a mixed-breed flock, however they don't do well with breeds that are aggressive such as Rhode Island Reds or New Hampshire Reds.

A couple other breeds that would do well in your environment are: Ameraucanas, Delaware, Dominique, Java, Marans, and Welsummer. Good luck on your adventure!

 

[jlwquilter]

I’ll toss in my advice -

I live in SE Florida and my black australorps were fine. So was the one New Hampshire did great too. I do not have any Plymouth rocks.

The BAs are great. Highly recommend. Large brown eggs almost every day. T he u are calm and get along with everyone. The neighbor boy (9) loves to hold them and they take it well.

The NH is also good but she’s definitely got her eye on becoming head hen at some point. I got her young so it’s not an issue but if she’s been older I wonder if there’d have been a fight. She’s a regular layer of large brown eggs.

A breed you didn’t mention but I’d highly recommend is sapphire gems. I have 2 and I’d get more - along with the BAs without hesitation. Extra large eggs, regular layer, and gets along well with everyone. They are very friendly and a bit talkative.

I also have 4 leghorns. They had a tuff start before I got them so I’ve had issues with all of them. But overall the breed is great for extra large white eggs and are small birds that eat less than the larger breeds. However they have been terrible bullies to the other hens. I do not know if it’s the breed or the 4 difficult ones I happen to have. They also did well in the heat.

Well in the heat means they had plenty of water, shade, and cool treats.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Bleumoon]

We are looking between 3 different breeds of chicken to get and keep finding conflicting information on them and was looking for any insight or information/experience with these breeds to see which one would be best for a new flock. We are looking at the Black Australorps, New Hampshire Reds, and Plymouth Rocks. Which breed is the better forager and wouldn't need as much feed and which breed has the best egg production all year? We heard they were all a pretty good dual purpose bird for meat and egg. We live in Florida, not sure if that information is relevant. Thank you everyone for any information.

I’d actually get a California White or similar heat tolerant bird. This bird is a bit flighty, but is pretty good layer.

 

[lifein1840]

We are looking at the Black Australorps, New Hampshire Reds, and Plymouth Rocks.

Love all three breeds but the Australorps are my number 1 favorite breed! They are amazing layers, quiet, no drama, good broodies - just great hens! I think my second would be the New Hampshire, the ones i have had laid very large eggs, lots of double yolks, but mine were very vocal . I have had some great Barred Plymouth Rocks but it seems mine have been pretty bossy and a little aggressive to my other chickens though very friendly to humans.

 

[waltonwannabe]

We are looking between 3 different breeds of chicken to get and keep finding conflicting information on them and was looking for any insight or information/experience with these breeds to see which one would be best for a new flock. We are looking at the Black Australorps, New Hampshire Reds, and Plymouth Rocks. Which breed is the better forager and wouldn't need as much feed and which breed has the best egg production all year? We heard they were all a pretty good dual purpose bird for meat and egg. We live in Florida, not sure if that information is relevant. Thank you everyone for any information.

Hi there. I've had all three breeds you mentioned along with many others. As for foraging, they all do well at foraging. I keep mine penned most of the day and let them out to forage around mid-afternoon and they return to the chicken house a little before dark.

I've never had a problem with any of the breeds as far as temperament/calmness. And as for egg laying, I've found the Black Australorps to be very good layers. I've never had a problem with illnesses, flightiness, fighting, etc. and like I said, they lay good size eggs and every day or two.

Good luck with whichever ones you decide on.