Breed suggestions??

[Eggs_Over_EZ]

Welsumer hens and roos have been good foragers for us. We like Barred Rocks as well.

 

[Seaslug]

I think that my Austrolorp is high on the docile/hardy/eggs chart, although her comb is larger than I expected it to be. I am surprised (five? years in) how hardy my California White is -- survived three serious predator attacks (mink, raptor, and domestic dog) despite being blazing white. Because she does not weigh much, she can avoid predators. She is docile but she is not one to be held. I have held her just a few times ever, though she does come when called. And of course she lays large eggs like a champ. She has grown on me.

 

[AGeese]

Buckeyes are another I had not heard of, but I think those or the jersey giants would be great! Although those dark egged from the Marans are beautiful too. Too many good options!!

If you could only pick one of those 3, where order of priority is docile, hardy, then egg production, would you still put Jersey giant first?

Thanks for all this info, super helpful!!

I'd only put the Jersey's first as I saw you had large breeds, and were planning to free range. They're also cold hardy.

I second the buckeyes. The ones we had were very docile and even though we didn't socialize with them much they always ran right up to the fence whenever we went out to the coop. Probably gonna get some more soonish.

If I had to choose the perfect bird for everyone, I'd go with Buckeyes. Though don't let their friendliness fool you they have some fire too, but it's tempered with their good nature.

That said out of the 8 Buckeyes that I've raised only one as a chick had to be separated for a full and day and night because she was a bully, and I named her so.

She later grew up to be very calm, but if youngsters don't respect her space she'll let them know they better back up.

Overall Buckeyes are curious spirits who like to whistle back to you. They'll get around 6 lbs so not the largest and can be pushed around by larger more agressive birds.

But they make up for any short commings by being excellent free rangers, and fun to watch.

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[snacks_on_snacks]

I'd only put the Jersey's first as I saw you had large breeds, and were planning to free range. They're also cold hardy.


If I had to choose the perfect bird for everyone, I'd go with Buckeyes. Though don't let their friendliness fool you they have some fire too, but it's tempered with their good nature.

That said out of the 7 Buckeyes that I've raised only one as a chick had to be separated for a full and day and night because she was a bully, and I named her so.

She later grew up to be very calm, but if youngsters don't respect her space she'll let them know they better back up.

Overall Buckeyes are curious spirits who like to whistle back to you. They'll get around 6 lbs so not the largest and can be pushed around by larger more agressive birds.

But they make up for any short commings by being excellent free rangers, and fun to watch.

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View media item 7964735
View media item 7963576
View media item 7948247
View media item 7948284
View media item 7948291
View media item 7944843
View media item 7943582
View media item 7967019
View media item 7967013
View media item 7963884
View media item 7945057
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Oh my gosh love this!!!

Thanks for all the info!!

Any chance you have any hatching eggs you’d be willing to sell? Or should I look at one of the big hatcheries for day olds?

 

[AGeese]

Oh my gosh love this!!!

Thanks for all the info!!

Any chance you have any hatching eggs you’d be willing to sell? Or should I look at one of the big hatcheries for day olds?

Maybe next seaon, but they would be mixes. I buy all my birds from Meyer Hatchery https://meyerhatchery.com/ they have great customer service.