Which of these breeds would you pick, and why?

[Halkatla]

Struggling to pick a breed, and Ive only got space for a few so I need to make a choice. Would appreciate any thoughts, opinions and advice!

Atm my list looks like this: barbu d'anver (possibly the cutest breed ever?), barnevelder, silverudds blå, hedemora, orpington, orloff and wyandotte. Its based mostly on looks so far.. But Id like a breed thats a decent'ish layer, is healthy, and isnt too fligthly. Preferably not very broody. Our climate here is wet so Id prefer to avoid anything with feathered legs.

 

[FrostRanger]

Of the breeds you listed, I'd go with the barnevelder and the silverudds blå as they are friendly fairly non-broody birds that lays a good amount of eggs. Both orpingtons and many bantam breeds tend towards broodiness. I've heard mixed opinions of how wyandottes are with other chickens but they are an option too.

Now, if you don't have your heart set on those breeds in particular I'd recommend easter eggers as they are cute, friendly and don't usually tend towards broodiness. Some can be flighty but spend enough time with them and most will be friendly. Plus, who doesn't like colored eggs?

 

[Jener8or]

I agree with @FrostRanger. I am a sucker for blue chickens, so I would go with Silverudds (and they are good layers, too.) Also, in my mind you can't go wrong with Orpingtons (or Australorps), unless like FrostRanger mentioned, you don't want the broodiness.

How many can you have (lol)? Barnevelders might not be the highest producers, but they definitely bring good looks and good looking eggs to the table.

I'm not sure if I would go for any bantams if you only can get a few, so I think that is my list. (Maybe not the most helpful, but I'm sure others will give some great advice as well!)

 

[Amer]

I'd be the first to recommend d'Anvers to anyone but they are not great layers, lol.

 

[Amer]

Don't let that stop you from getting some as pets, though.

 

[Halkatla]

Of the breeds you listed, I'd go with the barnevelder and the silverudds blå as they are friendly fairly non-broody birds that lays a good amount of eggs. Both orpingtons and many bantam breeds tend towards broodiness. I've heard mixed opinions of how wyandottes are with other chickens but they are an option too.

Now, if you don't have your heart set on those breeds in particular I'd recommend easter eggers as they are cute, friendly and don't usually tend towards broodiness. Some can be flighty but spend enough time with them and most will be friendly. Plus, who doesn't like colored eggs?

Thank you! Im open for any breed suggestions really! Our selection is a bit limited though as Im on the west coast of Norway (very few people and even less chickens!). Easter eggers dont exist in this country at all I think, unfortunately.

 

[Halkatla]

I'd be the first to recommend d'Anvers to anyone but they are not great layers, lol.

They're so adorable I think I could live with the lack of eggs! And their tininess means theres room for more of them If they werent so hard to get hold of here Id probably already have a few of these.

 

[Halkatla]

I agree with @FrostRanger. I am a sucker for blue chickens, so I would go with Silverudds (and they are good layers, too.) Also, in my mind you can't go wrong with Orpingtons (or Australorps), unless like FrostRanger mentioned, you don't want the broodiness.

How many can you have (lol)? Barnevelders might not be the highest producers, but they definitely bring good looks and good looking eggs to the table.

I'm not sure if I would go for any bantams if you only can get a few, so I think that is my list. (Maybe not the most helpful, but I'm sure others will give some great advice as well!)

Barnevelder are definitely gorgeous, Ive fallen in love with the silver laced ones!
My coop is around 3 square meters, which doesnt seem very big to me, but Im not quite sure exactly how many I can (or should?) keep in there.