So you’ve determined you need hens.
You’ve gotten been leafing via catalogs, trawling the web and shopping for magazines that function chickens and visiting farm shops nearly daily- it has grow to be an obsession!
However the massive query stays… which breed to decide on?
There are such a lot of totally different breeds on the market. There are chickens which can be eye sweet, plain ones, speckled ones, birds massive and small.
Some are docile and pleasant, others may be flighty and troublesome to deal with. There are a number of breeds that require particular consideration for one motive or one other, how are you aware which to decide on?
As a newbie it’s normally greatest to get to know the fundamentals of rooster care with forgiving hens earlier than you launch your self into the world of specialised wants, unique plumage or present breeds.
Retaining hens isn’t rocket science, but it surely does require some data and consideration to the birds in your care.
They’ve very primary wants, however thrive with love and a focus. The breeds we have now chosen for you’re greatest identified for his or her egg laying and nice tendencies.
It’d sound ridiculous to some, however each rooster can have its’ personal private temperament. Some like to be cuddled, others are a bit extra stand-offish.
The extra time you make investments along with your birds whereas they’re younger, the friendlier they are going to be.
We’re showcasing 5 breeds at present which can be straightforward to take care of, straightforward to seek out and offer you a lot of stunning eggs- and all have personalities of their very own!
So right here they’re our fabulous 5!
Easter Egger
That is presumably the most well-liked rooster within the US proper now! It’s a very good chook for newbies.
They’re very pleasant, mild and inquisitive about every part. Usually they are going to comply with you… in all places, however they do tolerate confinement fairly properly. If allowed out they’re good foragers.
These hens are straightforward to take care of and may be simply tamed. They will lay eggs of many alternative hues- from pink and brown to blue! They may lay in extra of 200 eggs per 12 months.
They are often inclined to go broody however make good moms.
When it comes to climate endurance, the truth that they’ve a pea comb and small or no wattles, means they’re very winter hardy birds. They’re additionally tolerant of warmth.
They aren’t actually a ‘breed’, however extra of a hybrid combine. They’re from the identical base inventory because the South American Araucanas and US bred Ameraucanas, however they won’t breed true to straightforward.
Their feathers may be multi-colored, resulting in some gorgeous ‘lookers’ and infrequently their legs can have a greenish hue.
The preferred measurement is normal, however these fairly birds are available a bantam measurement too.
The Easter Egger is a wonderful breed for the newbie who needs a free-range flock. Not solely are they savvy foragers, and expertly keep away from predators, additionally they appear like a predator.
Some fanatics swear that their Easter Eggers appear like hawks, as a consequence of their eye shade and feather colours. Thus, they’re stated to discourage different hawks and small predators.
Australorp
This beautiful chook was developed in Australia within the Nineteen Twenties by crossing Orpingtons, Rhode Island reds and some different breeds. They had been initially developed as a twin objective breed for meat and eggs.
The crossing resulted in a big chook that lays a prolific quantities of eggs. An Australorp hen holds the present world report for egg manufacturing laying an outstanding 364 eggs in one year!
This hen is the Nationwide Hen Breed of Australia.
You possibly can count on 250+ eggs per 12 months from these arduous working women.
As a meat chook the hen will weigh in at round 6.5lb and cockerels at 7-8lb.
They’re mild and quiet, identified to be good moms, calm and are tolerant of kids. Nonetheless, they do tend to be broody.
They tolerate confinement properly, however take pleasure in free ranging and are good foragers. Australorp’s can reside in each cold and warm climates though a rooster would possibly get frostbite on the guidelines of a giant comb.
The black feathers give off a wonderful beetle inexperienced/purple glow within the daylight. There are a number of different shade forms of Australorp, however black is the commonest.
They arrive in two sizes, normal and bantam. The bantam measurement is way more troublesome to seek out although.
Intercourse hyperlinks
Intercourse hyperlinks aren’t actually a breed, however extra of a cross breed/hybrid. They’ve quite a few selection names comparable to: ISA Brown, pink intercourse hyperlinks, golden comets, cinnamon queens, pink star, black star, shaver browns and black intercourse hyperlink.
They’re known as intercourse hyperlinks as a result of it’s straightforward to find out the intercourse of the chick at start. For instance a Rhode Island Purple (or New Hampshire) rooster bred with a barred rock hen will produce male chicks with a white dot on their head.
The advantage of crossing two good laying breeds is extra eggs- these girls can put out 250+ eggs a 12 months! Nonetheless, the draw back of the improved egg laying is that they have an inclination to drop manufacturing dramatically after their second 12 months.
They’re undoubtedly not susceptible to broodiness. I’ve discovered no references to them so far as mothering chicks go, so I assume they don’t seem to be good moms.
Their temperament although is reliable, candy, docile, excellent for a newbie, pleasant and never too sensible!
Additionally, they have an inclination to not carry out as properly in very chilly climate, however in any other case can stand up to quite a lot of climates.
Rhode Island Reds
Originating in Rhode Island, it’s their State chook. The breed was accepted by the American Poultry Affiliation in 1904 as a utility breed, for each meat and eggs.
Usually they common round 260 eggs a year- so they are going to maintain you properly fed!
They’ve stunning, brown shiny feathers starting from reddish brown to a mahogany shade and are tolerant of each cold and warm climates, performing constantly via chilly winters.
Rhode Island’s are docile and pleasant, don’t thoughts being dealt with and may be very talkative! They’re at all times first on the gate for any treats!
Lively foragers, they are going to comply with you across the yard hoping for a handout. They may be pushy with different hens, however usually co-exist peacefully except meals is concerned.
The Rhode Island Purple was the barnyard chook within the US. It suffered an enormous decline in numbers just a few a long time in the past, however is making a big comeback now.
There are two strains of this chook; the primary is ‘manufacturing’, constructed for heavy egg laying over a shorter time interval. The second is a heritage hen, who lay barely much less eggs however produces for longer.
RIRs additionally are available a white shade, these are tougher to trace down. Bantams are additionally accessible however not regularly seen.
Sussex
The Sussex rooster is an historic breed. It was first talked about by the Romans after they invaded Britain (A.D. 43).
There are eight identified shade patterns, mild, speckled and coronation being essentially the most well-known within the US.
Individuals who personal them say they’re reliable, docile, pleasant and might adapt properly. They’re quiet birds, not pushy or loud.
They’re a twin objective breed. The meat from these birds is alleged to be very good. Their egg laying capability can also be superb, producing on common 200 eggs a 12 months. They may lay properly via winter when others have stopped laying.
Sussex’s do properly in confinement, but when allowed to free vary will likely be actively foraging for many of the day. They may comply with you in the event that they assume there may be a reward or deal with!
Some varieties such because the Speckled, tend to broodiness, however make nice moms.
Honorable Point out
The Buff Orpington is a distant cousin of the Australorp. And whereas she could much less just a few much less egg per 12 months, she’s a incredible newbie chook.
The Buff Orpington is alleged to be the golden retriever of the rooster world. She is pleasant, fluffy, and very docile.
She is going to lay about 180 eggs per 12 months, is warmth hardy, and a very good 4-H venture.
Her solely downfall is her broodiness. The Buff Orpington likes to be a mother, and when you don’t have a rooster to fertilize her eggs, or when you’re not prepared for chicks, you’ll have to regulate her.
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Likely you’ll discover that our 5 don’t match with another person’s selections. It was fairly troublesome to slender down the sphere to 5, all of us have favorites!
Our objective has been to point out you 5 breeds of rooster which can be straightforward to deal with, will likely be pleasant and lay a great deal of eggs.
In the event you choose any one in every of these breeds on your first hens you’ll be off to an ideal begin and they’re going to reward you with a lot of eggs!
Tell us within the feedback below- that are your favourite breeds and why? We love listening to from you…
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