[Ag-eq] Choosing Hens

[nfoster at extremezone.com]

Susan:

Thanks for the information about the different breeds.  I really like my Barred
Rocks; they are very gentle and good layers.  I will have to see about getting
some of the Black Stars.

Have you ever had any of the breeds that lay colored eggs?

Do all of your hens lay brown eggs?

I recently read about a breed called Mini Pearls or White Pearls; they are small
white hens that lay white eggs.  They are suppose to handle the heat well and be
good layers.  I can't remember what breeds are crossed to make them.

There are so many breeds of chickens that sound like they would be fun to have,
that I have to control myself or I would have to many!  My property is in the
city limits, so I can only have up to 18.

Nella




Quoting Susan Roe <dogwoodfarm at verizon.net>:

> Hi Nella,

>
> I have not tried the Red Stars before, but maybe you should try the Black
`> Stars because they are smaller than the Red Stars.  Below is the write ups
> that comes from Eden Farms where I get my chickens.
>
> I already have the following hens from them:
> Barred Rock
> Buff Orpington
> 1 loan Black Australorp
>
> Barred Rock
> Barred Rocks are a hardy American breed with a striking black & white
> feather pattern. They are good layers of light brown eggs, and will
> occasionally decide
> to "set" (hatch) their eggs. The hens have bold personalities and tend to
> rule the roost. Males are sometimes aggressive but very beautiful, with more
> white in their feather patterns than the females. Quite bright and
> adventuresome, Barred Rocks make excellent foragers and are one of our
> favorite breeds.
>
> Buff Orpington
> A calm, laid-back English breed that loves hatching eggs and taking care of
> the chicks. Hens are a soft golden color and lay large, light brown eggs.
> Roosters
> are a brilliant, shiny gold with flowing tails and lovely crowing voices,
> and are almost never aggressive. If a sweet, live-and-let-live temperament
> is
> important to you, this breed tops the list!
>
> Red Star
> This is a hybrid breed, with Rhode Island Red and White Leghorn parentage.
> Hens are light auburn in color, with some white or gold highlights. They are
> excellent layers of big brown eggs, and have friendly temperaments. Roosters
> are mostly white, with a dark red "saddle" mark on their backs. Because they
> are hybrids, a male and female Red Star will not hatch Red Star chicks, so
> most people choose this breed strictly for their exceptional egg-laying
> ability.
>
>  Ameraucana
> Often called the "Easter Egg Chicken", because these attractive hens lay
> eggs in pastel shades of blue, green, and olive. The eggs are darker colored
> when
> the hens first start laying, and lighten gradually as the birds age. The
> yolk and white are normal color and taste just like other eggs, although
> some
> of our customers say they can tell a difference. The birds themselves come
> in a beautiful array of patterns and colors, including solid white, but
> their
> legs and feet are always olive green or blue. Most Ameraucanas have muffy
> little beards that make them look like Muppets. Ameraucanas do not typically
> hatch their eggs, but there are exceptions. These chickens are lots of fun
> for kids, and perfect for anyone who wants something different.
>
> Black Star
> This is a hybrid breed, with Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock parentage.
> Their color can range from completely black to varying degrees of a pretty
> golden
> lace pattern (up to approximately half gold), with a beautiful green/purple
> iridescence on the darker feathers. They are curious, people-oriented
> chickens
> and excellent layers of big brown eggs, but do not usually decide to
> incubate their eggs and hatch chicks. Black Stars are one of the smallest
> breeds listed
> here, although they are considerably larger than bantams. Because they are
> hybrids, a Black Star hen and rooster will not produce Black Star chicks.
>
> Rhode Island Red
> A well-known American heritage breed that is one of our most popular types.
> These calm, full-size hens are good layers of big, brown eggs. The hens are
> not known for being good setters or mothers, but there are occasional
> exceptions. Rhode Island Red roosters are a dark, shiny mahogany color with
> a beautiful
> green iridescence on their tails. Unfortunately, many males of this breed
> have aggressive tendencies.
>
> Blue Marans
> This French breed is relatively new to America, and is still quite rare.
> Marans lay eggs that vary from very dark brown to lighter brown with dark
> brown
> speckles, and belong to a class of poultry known as the "Chocolate Eggers".
> The eggs are the darkest in color when the hens have first started laying
> (around
> the age of 6 to 7 months), and gradually lighten in color until the birds
> take a short break from laying. When the eggs resume, they will again be a
> very
> dark color. The varieties we have are blue, which is a lovely smoky gray,
> and Blue Splash, which is white with flecks of bluish gray. Hens are quiet,
> well-mannered,
> and make very good setters. Marans are a large breed; hens weigh 6 to 7
> pounds, and roosters top out at 9 to 10 pounds. Due to their extreme size,
> Maran
> roosters (although gentle and mild-mannered) should not be kept with smaller
> breeds of hens. Because of their rarity in Virginia, as well as our limited
> supply, Marans cost about twice as much as most of the other breeds of
> chickens we have for sale, but for the collector or serious hobbyist, a
> couple of
> these stately hens are a fun and beautiful addition to the flock.
>
>
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