Dilema: choosing the next breed

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I currently have some old Dominique's, White leghorns,Red stars and it is about time I need an upgrade. I want some great egg layers and at the same time I need them to be big in size. The super good egg layers are boring. They are white or red. I want something similar to my current Dominique so I have been looking at Silver laced wyandotte. Does anyone have this breed and can share there thoughts on this breed. They attract me because they are big and they feathers look cool. :mrgreen:
 
I haven't kept Silver Laced Wyandottes but they do look stunning...

The quantity of eggs will vary with the strain and if it is a show bird will be less likely to provide lots of eggs.
 
I'm afraid I don't know diddly about Silver Laced Wynadottes,but just wondered if you had considered Dorkings.They are stunning looking and information on them suggests good layers of blue eggs.
 
I have a couple of Dottes-a black mottled and silver pencilled, Id say they were average layers but great broodies. Mine are several years past laying! Ros
 
I guess I might stick with Dominique. They are more expensive tho. I will do my research on Dorkings. I like the bigger chickens. Dominique grow bigger than most chickens.

Also there is something I noticed. When the hawks come out or an airplane my white hens all run to the trees but not my Dominique's. They stay calm. I heard that hawks get dizzy when they try to focus on them because they are like zebras.
 
Now if you want big you can't beat either the Jersey Giant or the Australorp. Forget hatchery birds too, get them from a breeder that breeds show birds, they will be much larger at maturity and be bred for quality. If you are not going to show most breeders have birds that won't pass the quality test because of color or other things and will usually let those birds go pretty cheap.
 
over here,if you want good egg production you usually avoid breeders who are breeding for the show ring.This is because the birds have been bred for appearance rather than egg production,so breeds that are usually good are often poor in quantity.Usually approach a utility breeder for egg production.It might be different accross the pond.
 
wyandottes are decent layers and good broodies. and can be crossed to make good meat birds.
what about araucanas , good layers and broodies, and need a few more breeders.
or something totally different like a brahma , decent layers and very big.
 
Silver Laced Wyandottes are bonny birds. It's one of many breeds I'd like to get but I don't think anyone near me breeds any. I'll get some eventually though.
In the mean time it now looks like I've got to prepare to rehouse about 40 ex batts :o

Osric
 
I think I might get a few wyandottes and a few light Brahmas. So you guys are saying if I buy form McMurray hatchery, my birds wont lay as good as the ones I buy from a local farmer? In there description they say the Brahmas lay good in the winter. Does anyone know a website with a chart that shows the average each breed lays a year?

The Brahmas are a very old breed from Asia, probably originating in India and brought to this country about 1850 by Yankee sailors on their return from trading in Far Eastern ports. Because of its massive size, full feathered shanks and toes, and striking black and white plumage pattern, it has always been one of the most interesting varieties to work with. Brahmas are exceptionally quiet, gentle, and easy to handle. Their small pea comb, great size, and heavy plumage make them almost immune to cold weather. The hens are good layers of brown eggs, especially in winter, and will also set. Cockerels develop a tremendous frame, grow rather slowly, but when fully fleshed make a beautiful roasting chicken. They are easy to dress with light plumage and yellow skin. Baby chicks are creamy white, but some have shades of gray on the back.
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http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/light_brahmas.html
 
I'll PM you so I don't hijack the thread with my own adventure!

Osric

PS. Happy New Year everyone!
 
Osric said:
I'll PM you so I don't hijack the thread with my own adventure!

Osric

PS. Happy New Year everyone!
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Um,Osric,you need to go to messages to do that :D .Thanks,would love to hear about you're adventure.You have a good new year too,and everyone else :lol: .
 
I knew that, I just thought I'd say so here in case everyone thought I was being ignorant and not replying but actually was replying in the messages bit, but no-one would know that because only you would've seen the message I sent.

Unless of course you said somewhere else that I replied but then it wouldn't be a personal message because everyone else would see it and then it would just be an ordinary message. Perhaps I should've started a new thread?

Osric
 
LOL,I was just taking the mick because I read your post and at that point hadn't recieved the pm.
I'm just going to read it now,chances are though it is worth starting a new thread.Sorry for taking the p**s so much,I can't help it :o .
 
Lydia said:
LOL,I was just taking the mick because I read your post and at that point hadn't recieved the pm.
I'm just going to read it now,chances are though it is worth starting a new thread.Sorry for taking the p**s so much,I can't help it :o .
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Lydia? Take the p**s? Surely not! ;)
 
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