My next breed additions / seeking insights

[Jbyrd212]

Hi, all!

I will be adding the following breeds to my flock on April 15th and am seeking insights (health, personality, photos, temperament, “voice” level, etc.) from those that may already have them:

California Gray
Cuckoo Maran
Production Blue
Smokey Pearl
Welsummer

Thank you in advance!

 

[Perris]

Breed characteristics, for what they are worth (very little, in my experience; chickens vary individually, just like people), can be found on lots of websites, e.g. https://archive.org/details/Storeys_Illustrated_Guide_to_Poultry_Breeds_Complete
Pure breeds are listed, hybrids with marketing names usually are not.

 

[Iluveggers]

My Welsummer is a wonderful flock leader. Friendly, non-violent, alert, and even will jump up on a lap to be petted. Lovely brown speckled eggs, and she lays quite frequently, even in year 3. However she is LOUD. I have heard that about Welsummers and she fits the bill. That would be the only thing I would change about her if I could.

 

[Jbyrd212]

My Welsummer is a wonderful flock leader. Friendly, non-violent, alert, and even will jump up on a lap to be petted. Lovely brown speckled eggs, and she lays quite frequently, even in year 3. However she is LOUD. I have heard that about Welsummers and she fits the bill. That would be the only thing I would change about her if I could.

Thank you for the heads up on the loudness.
I’m excited for the dino eggs, ha ha.

 

[Jbyrd212]

Breed characteristics, for what they are worth (very little, in my experience; chickens vary individually, just like people), can be found on lots of websites, e.g. https://archive.org/details/Storeys_Illustrated_Guide_to_Poultry_Breeds_Complete
Pure breeds are listed, hybrids with marketing names usually are not.

For sure on the individuality. I supposedly personify them, too. Ha! I’ll take a look at the website you have linked. Thank you for the reply!

 

[Seaslug]

I have a California White, which, if I remember correctly, has a California Grey as a parent.
I find breed descriptions useful, understanding that they are simply generalities and not guarantees. Our California White is six. She had four years of consistent laying large eggs 6xs a week; she is laying at about half that rate now. She was able to escape two very serious predatory events. She is (and always has been) head hen and is friendly (not cuddly) with humans. She likes to forage, talks but isn't loud, and she controls the roost with very little pecking.