you can only choose 3

[boykin2010]

Love buff orpingtons very good layers and good attitudes
Love Easter eggers very good layers , good attitudes, cool to have!!!
Third would be a tie between a silkie or a delaware. They are both really sweet. The delaware is a good layer though but silkies are cute and funny

 

[Judy]

Never had Buckeyes but have read good things, would not hesitate. My purpose was to have a dual purpose flock that raised its own chicks so I chose breeds that sometimes go broody - except the EE's which were for blue eggs for the grandkids. Actually my current broody is an EE, and I found they are quite good meat birds. Besides what I have now, I also bought New Hampshire and Rhode Island Red, Silver Laced Wyandotte, and Barred Rock. Found BR's to be difficult to pluck. Orps tend to make a little more dark meat in proportion to white. BAs have definitely been my best layer with BO a close second. SS were originally bred to be dual purpose, but my hatchery quality ones are my smallest birds, and they lay only medium eggs. They are also my friendliest, though. The BA and BO are quite calm and not hard to handle off the roost at all. I really liked my NHR's, gorgeous, laid back -- didn't get a pullet, though. I'd have trouble choosing between BA, BO, NHR and SS.

Trouble is, if I tried Delawares I'd probably also love them, except they are mostly white so more susceptible to predators. Will never have a RIR or Wyandotte again, not even a hen. Mean, awful birds. The Wyandotte was so mean we thought she was a he until we butchered her.

 

[greenSearcher]

If I were to reduce my flock to three breeds, I would have New Hampshires, good consistent large light brown eggs, my hen has laid 6 eggs most weeks, and in the winter still lays, averaging 3-4 eggs even now in our deep freeze. I have just started with Naked Necks and Delawares. Love the Naked Necks, great personalities, of the 5 pullets, once has been laying for almost 3 weeks with a 3 on 1 off pattern. I suspect the others will lay soon too. They were hatched the third week of Aug. The roo is tall and lankly, still has to put on his 'muscles' - I am guessing he will be the same size as the Speckled Sussex roo that is 18 mos old. I have plans to cross the NN and Dels for a meatier carcass, Dels were meat birds along the east coast until CornishX became the standard. I don't care for the Dels, even as chicks the males were aggressive and have been under constant tutelage as to who is the boss. In your climate I would probably go with Marans for the 3rd breed and to cross with the NN. They handle the cold wonderfully (as does the NN). Good layers, my Cuckoo Marans laid 5 eggs a week, but all but one succumbed to the Tx heat last summer. Would probably cross well with the NN for a flavorful meat bird. I am try that cross and see if it hand handle the heat.

 

[sonjab314]

If I had to choose 3 breed for dual purpose, I'd choose Orpingtons, Wyandottes and either Barred Rocks or EE's. They are all great layers and make nice sized meat birds. I do believe the Orpingtons and Wyandottes go broody as well as the EE's. I am not positive about the BR because I have none. I've noticed that some people have placed Polish on their list of dual purpose. I would warn against this. They are light framed and do not have a lot of meat on their bones. I have an entire flock of GLP and I would not use them for dual purpose but they sure are pretty to have around

.

 

[kkcamiller]

I'm very new to raising chickens, but I love my Golden Comets and RIRs. I'm looking forward to increasing my flock.

 

[Morgan7782]

1.) Barred Rocks, or any Plymouth Rock! Tons of personality, they love helping with chores, very friendly and talkative. GREAT layers of big brown eggs.

2.) Black Australorps. Never had one but read and heard good things, hopefully getting one soon! They are good layers, friendly, easy going and real pretty green/black.

3.) Brahma. Hands down. I lost mine recently and she was one of my FAVORITE girls. She laid 2.2 ounce eggs DAILY through winter rain and wind and storms. She was a Dark Brahma and was BEAUTIFUL. My friend has a Light Brahma who is a total total sweetheart, good layer too!! They are good birds

That's my list

I have a Wyandotte who is wonderful and beautiful, but that can be a hard find in hatcheries. I got lucky I think lol. And I have an Easter Egger who is a total lovebug, but she is 10 months old and has not laid yet.

 

[krstms]

buff orpingtons
ameraucanas
marans

 

[CopperCT]

Quote:
I have light brahmas and they are definitely super hardy and meaty and surprisingly consistent layers. Very gentle and non agressive. Brahmams would definitely be one of my picks. For good layers I would choose a sexlink....we have black ones but they are kinda skinny but very cold hardy and great layers. I haven't eaten any yet but I would imagine there's not much meat on them. They can be assertive though. I know several people with barred rocks who sing their praises. Good layers, hardy, sweet, and have some meat on their bones.

 

[magicpigeon]

1. Light or Speckled Sussex
2. Black Australorp
3. Buff Orpington

I love them all!!

 

[Jesseschickens]

Rhode Island Reds are very winter hardey

Buff Orpingtons arent as great at egg laying but you dont have to worry about a dead hen when it -10 degrees out

Barred Rocks- LAY ALOT