Will be expanding my standard hen flock next spring, need breed recommendations

[Going Quackers]

Dominiques are the way to go. Funny, it took 30 posts before someone mentioned this quintessential heritage breed. Great foragers, friendly, but not "needy", lay a medium to large egg, lay rates are above 50%, and usually about 65%, have a rose comb, are naturally sex-linked, I could go on and on...

For more info on them, do a web search, or go to the Livestock Conservancy website, or lookup The American Dominique, or do a Facebook search for Windy Ridge Dominiques. I have lots of photos there.....

Thank you i looked at your page(nice) definitely in the running now, i like what i have read.

I think sometimes if you get a "friendlier" breed you sometimes run into more issues with predation free ranging. The more skiddish the bird the more they have a chance if you will. Black Australorp is probably the best foraging free ranger I have in my bunch. She's just skiddish enough for me to know she'll be alright in the woods...but she does know who the treat lady is too.

She's big and docile on the roost. Aloof if you will. I just love her. She's a champ at egg laying. Down side is she can be a bit broody. Only one I've had that's been that way.

Another thing I notice free ranging is White is a no-no. You may as well put a big sign on their back for aerial preds. "Looky here! Free Lunch".

That being said in my crew I have a RIR, who is disarmingly friendly with us...little bit of a kritz on the roost though. Adds to her personality all the more I say. LOL. And our New Hampshire is a machine for egg laying and is also friendly. Easy to catch etc.

My Easter Eggers will fly up on branches in the woods to get a better view or if they sense danger. A little more flighty but love looking at my egg cartons when they are laying.

I think for free ranging--camouflage and predator wariness should be thought of first. IMO. You can train them to some degree to be friendly too. I want to add a barred breed at sometime to my flock. I think a Cuckoo Marans or Dominique or Barred Rock would do well.

My big red Rooster has made a hawk or two think twice about taking any of them on. Fun to watch him in action--that roo.

I have not found that to be the case, plus my chickens free range around with a large duck flock of mainly Muscovy we're talking HUGE drakes here, a few are white too... i like friendly because i have kids, i also like being able to handle birds in case, i can handle all my ducks but they are not in my pocket either i maintain a large number of drakes here so there must be a line. Thanks for the recommendations!

 

[Going Quackers]

What varieties of Plymouth Rock are you considering, since you also list Barred Plymouth Rock?

Barred Plymouth Rocks have just been more selectively bred to produce eggs. So that is why they are popular.

That one appeals to me the most however i can get these too... is one strain better than the other overall...

Plymouth Rocks
Varieties: Buff, Partridge and White

The Dominique was replaced in popularity by the Barred Plymouth Rock, which lays more eggs and has a larger body for more meat. The Dominique is more broody, so that would be a better breed for those who want to hatch chicks.

Not fond of broody, i would rather they did not i know silkies are known for it(ours have not come into lay yet) and my scovies could win the prize.

Australorps are known to be a little broody. But the chickens from hatcheries have been selected with egg-laying in mind. Hatchery birds will most likely be less broody.

You are right. White chickens would not be good for free ranging. White chickens became popular for meat birds, because they have a cleaner looking carcass.

You mentioned your Amaraucans can fly into the trees. That is good for free ranging chickens. I think the Brown Leghorn is another great choice for free ranging. If they are handled they will be more friendly, but they most likely will never be as friendly as say Buff Orpingtons.

I have no interest in white chickens, i keep a few white scovies that is enough, muddy/dirty they do their best but fall/spring are hard times, pred wise i don't disagree they are more "out there"

 

[Going Quackers]

Amy thoughts on wynadottes?

 

[3chickchicks]

Amy thoughts on wynadottes?

I have some! GLW and SLW. They're great birds, integrated well into my flock and they're sweethearts. Mine aren't pushovers but they aren't bossy either. I couldn't tell you about egg production. Mine are just now starting to get red faces.

 

[Shellz]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyandotte_(chicken)

Here's a link with a bit of info.

 

[Bullitt]

That one appeals to me the most however i can get these too... is one strain better than the other overall...

Plymouth Rocks
Varieties: Buff, Partridge and White

Not fond of broody, i would rather they did not i know silkies are known for it(ours have not come into lay yet) and my scovies could win the prize.

I have no interest in white chickens, i keep a few white scovies that is enough, muddy/dirty they do their best but fall/spring are hard times, pred wise i don't disagree they are more "out there"

I guess you can take White Plymouth Rocks off your list.

If you are interested in eggs, Barred Plymouth Rocks are the best choice. I like the coloring of the Partridge Plymouth Rocks. An average Barred Plymouth rock will produce about 250 eggs a year, and the average Partridge Plymouth Rock will lay about 220 eggs a year. (Wyandottes will lay like the Partridge Plymouth Rocks.) Of course there are individual variations.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

We enjoy our Wyandotte. She was skiddish as a chick...but my daughter spent a lot of time with her and she is quite easy to handle. She's absolutely charming and shaped like a bowling ball. She is usually first in line for treats and most of the time is our high hen. She's pretty vocal about asking for treats. LOL. Love her actually. Nice to have that comb type in a cold climate as well.

 

[Chickens R Us]

My favorite in my flock are my Black Australorps they are friendly and great egg layers, one follows me around like a puppy always looking up at me. The roo has a bigger comb and wattles so I put vaseline on his comb and wattles to help prevent frost bite.

 

[cstronks]

The rundown on the first page really gives you the best options...there is a rare breed called American Gamebird that is a great forager and pretty bird, so if you can get your hands on them then that is a possibility. They are decent layers and very self sufficient. I would recommend Australorps though. Great all around bird, very pretty metallic sheen on the feathers, and an awesome layer. They are self sufficient as well.

 

[Going Quackers]

I have some! GLW and SLW. They're great birds, integrated well into my flock and they're sweethearts. Mine aren't pushovers but they aren't bossy either. I couldn't tell you about egg production. Mine are just now starting to get red faces.

Quite fond of the SLW good to hear it! I don't care all that much if they integrate they will have their own coop apart from my current girls but of coarse may run into one another foraging, but i find usually birds just carry on, it's when they close house trouble can arise.

Thank you!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyandotte_(chicken)

Here's a link with a bit of info.

Thank you!