wyandotte vs easter eggers

[AussieGirl]

So I'm trying to decide a good egg laying chicken,preferably with some good size eggs and I would like a very good egg layer that has some nice color to it. I've had Rhode Islands to Brahmans and some midget chickens that used to chase me around as a kid. After doing some research I'm stuck between the Wyandotte and Easter eggers. I like the wyandotte because they come in such nice colors and they lay a lot of eggs. Although I also the Easter eggers cause I absolutely love those huge blue eggs they lay(blue is my favorite color)So between one or the other what is everyone's experience with these chickens? Would it be possible to have a small mixed herd of these guys together? I live out in the country so I have lots of room for them to forage but I still plan on building a coop. Also how tame are these chickens? Id love to be able to sit outside and pet them and hand feed them.

 

[damselfish]

Yes, you can certainly have them together. I have Silver-Laced Wyandottes and Easter Eggers as part of a mixed flock. I find the EEs friendlier and more interesting, frankly I don't care much for the Wyandottes. They're kind of hyper and standoffish, and rude with the other chickens. But that could just be an individual chicken-ality thing, yours may be friendlier.

Get more than one EE since some will lay brown eggs, you don't always get green or blue. Our stats are for 5 EEs: 3 green, 1 pale blue, 1 brown. Some say they get "pink" eggs from their EEs but I've never had one here. Apparently the pink is some kind of light rosy tan, but our one girl lays plain old brown/ beige.

One cool thing about Wyandottes, at least the ones I have, is that their eggs are very fat and round, not long and oval. They look really nice in the egg carton. They're not any better layers than the EEs, but again that's a very individual thing.

 

[AussieGirl]

Thanks for the great info,I think I'll just go with the EE then also I think their eggs get bigger than wyandottes too.

 

[donrae]

Get both! Throw in some barred rocks and buff orpingtons, while you're at it

 

[Arielle]

Hi Aussie girl,

I also have EE and SLW from MM hatchery as part of my mixed flock. Love them both. I get 2 blue eggs out of 8 EE hens; the others are green and a pink. (THe blue eggs are from Ameraucana.) EE come in different feather colors. Ask the hatchery which colors they have, if you are interested in knowing.

Neither breed is particularly friendly; both will come running for afternoon tidbits, but not stay and visit. My stay and visit breeds are BO and SS (= moderate egg layers).

No one breed has all the traits I enjoy in a chicken, so I opt to have a mixed flock.

If I might suggest, get a few of both , since you have room.

 

[Magic Birdie]

Wow, that is a hard decision. And I would know, because I keep planning things like coop designs, and breeds of chickens I would get if I would ever get any

I would go with both! And by the way, you should get a bunch of silkies too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[AussieGirl]

Hey Arielle what are BO and SS? Also Ive read that its kinda hard to tell the difference between Amerucanas and EE is that true?I really want a friendly chicken so Ill go with the mixed flock. I had only planned on getting 6 chickens with one rooster and five hens. Is this a good number for a mixed flock or should i get like 2 hens of three breeds and one rooster?I live on an acre and a half but its all fenced in with lots of Oak trees and bushes and yummy grass for them.Also any recommendations for a good hatchery would be very appreciated.

 

[Arielle]

Hi,

BO=Buff Orpington. sweet gentle, my young boys love to pick them up and carry around.

SS= Speckled Sussex. gentle, love to get in the way while I'm weeding; they grab the worms and bugs; they are underfoot during treat time and like petting more than any others.

I have purchased from McMurry; and boughtMeyers at the feed store. Considering Ideal next time. Like them all; none are perfect. Hatcheries are a great way to buy disease free chicks and the breeds you want. Find out which one will send only 6 chicks; most hatcheries require 25 chicks minimum. I'm thinking it MEyers that will sell just a few. Ideal will let you order only a few BUT will send you extra roosters for warmth.

Honestly, if you don't need a rooster skip buying one. SOme are easy; some are difficult. I have one rooster that I threaten to turn into soup at least once a week! He attacks me and my children carry sticks. I have 8 other roosters that are not a problem. You have about a10% chance of getting a rooster anyway when you order pullets.

AMeraucanas are ONLY available thru private breeders; post a request for a breeder on you state thread.

EE are crossbreds bred from AMeraucanas on other breeds many generations ago; as most egg breeds give brown eggs, the blue x brown becomes a green egg. THat's why it's harder to get a blue egg. Honestly, the green and pinks are just as fun as the blues! WHen a hatchery says AMeraucans, it is really EE; some of the hatcheries have starter using EE instead now.

Clear as mud?

 

[Arielle]

This is the thread with loads of EE pics; so you can see the variety of colors.SOme poeple breed their own, some are hatchery stock.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=273489&p=1

 

[artsy1]

I like rhode island reds, ee, wyondottes, austrolops. so many chickens, so little time.