Who sells the best-laying Hamburgs?

[UrbanEnthusiast]

In terms of overall production, winter production, and perhaps most importantly, egg size? I'd strongly prefer sexed chicks as I have neither the space nor the inclination to deal with males I can't keep (and I can't keep any). I'm not looking for show birds and I'm not picky about which color variety (though I'd go nuts for Golden-Spangled, Citron, or Splash), just want utility and hopefully that intelligent, wary, flighty personality I've read Hamburgs tend to have. But if the eggs are going to be tiny I'd rather go with Leghorns. I notice Meyer Hatchery sells three varieties of Hamburgs, and will sell them sexed as few as three at a time, so that's perfect for me as I can only have three more hens by local ordinance. Can anyone tell me about their Hamburgs from Meyer? Or any other hatchery or breeder? Thanks!

 

[UrbanEnthusiast]

Bump. Nobody?

 

[flower]

Go for it ! Others post good reports about Myers. I have Hamburgs from Ideal and they are all of what is said about them, unfriendly, hardy and good layers of medium eggs. But if you want large eggs buy leghorns which come in some attractive varieties also. I prefer rose comb over single comb therefore I would not have leghorns.

 

[UrbanEnthusiast]

Go for it ! Others post good reports about Myers. I have Hamburgs from Ideal and they are all of what is said about them, unfriendly, hardy and good layers of medium eggs. But if you want large eggs buy leghorns which come in some attractive varieties also. I prefer rose comb over single comb therefore I would not have leghorns.

Well, that's just the thing! I already have two Exchequer Leghorns and I love them, but I want more variety of plumage and when it comes to Leghorns, all the hatcheries sell are White and Exchequer, at least all the hatcheries that have a three-chick minimum, and I can only have three more chickens by city ordinance. I've scoured Craigslist and BYC and I can't find any Leghorn breeders in my region, either. So that is why I'm considering Hamburgs, because I want birds who lay extremely well but are also flighty enough to hold their own against predators, and assertive enough to thrive as three newbies up against the five hens we already have. My Welsummer and my two Wyandottes are not very aggressive, but the two Exchequers I added to the flock back in June are just now at POL, and I suspect that they might give any newcomers a run for their money. Do you think your Hamburgs would hold up in a situation like that? I know they are small but they are fast and they are assertive, right?

 

[EweSheep]

Many years ago, I had some goreous Silver Spangled Hamburgs from McMurray....they are flighty and great addition when it comes to frugality of this breed. Flashy too! They laid medium white eggs every day. Meyers, I do not know and can not help you there.

I only have the website for the Hamburg Club in USA since you are not looking for show quality, then I do not need to bother you with it.

 

[UrbanEnthusiast]

Many years ago, I had some goreous Silver Spangled Hamburgs from McMurray....they are flighty and great addition when it comes to frugality of this breed. Flashy too! They laid medium white eggs every day. Meyers, I do not know and can not help you there.

I only have the website for the Hamburg Club in USA since you are not looking for show quality, then I do not need to bother you with it.

Thanks for the tips! Sounds like you had in your Hamburgs exactly what I'm looking for now - flighty, economical, and an egg a day of at least medium size. Too bad McMurray has a 25-chick minimum. I know it's much safer to ship chicks in large numbers but what the heck would I do with the 22 chicks I can't keep? Perhaps if they were sexed maybe I could sell them and recoup the cost.

 

[flower]

Hamburgs are an older breed and most of what I have read about states that they can care for themselves due to their alertness, and ability to forage and fend for themselves. I think that the reason that they are not greatly popular is their eggs size and the difficulty making them into cuddly pets.

My hen is all of the above but not cuddly and resides in a mixed flock and gets along with all others. She is now two years old along with my welsummer and EE. I had a feather picking problem when I added Ameraucanas and Marans so most of the hens are wearing pinless peepers. The Hamburg was a victum as was the EE. The welsummer my most vocal and agressive did not get picked nor does she pick.

In the future I hope to buy sexed Hamburg pullets most likely from Ideal which will sell a customized order of any size but charges extra for small quantities. I usually order form a sales rep for confirmation of order instead of the on-line forms.

 

[Mykee]

I kind of want some blue hamburgs... these seem to be exceedingly rare.

 

[Arica]

Mypetchicken has blue hamburgs