Let's talk about chicks, man.

After 2 days of watching the remaining chickens and seeing no signs of distress from them, we decided it would be safe to supplement the flock.

I had to go into work around midday for a while so Wifey took the three kids and bought us some more chicks.  She got the following:

• 2 Golden Comet
• 2 Ameraucana 
• 1 Starlight Green Egger

 

Here's some info about each breed along with some commentary about why we chose each.

General thoughts:

• We don't want to have to deal with chickens with a good likelihood of becoming broody.  We had that last year with "Broody" (thus the name) and until we got her some chicks to raise we couldn't break her of the behavior after a few months of that condition.
• In general, it looks like there is a correlation between the chickens with high egg production and broodiness.  That makes sense that lower production comes from those that are broody and hoping (or trying to) raise chicks.
• We want some level of variety in the egg sizes and colors.
• We want those that are even tempered.
• Those listed as being cold-hardy are desired since our winters sometimes get very cold.

Ameraucana

• Winter hardy
• Dual purpose (meaning good for both meat and eggs)
• Docile temperament
• Smart and predatory-savvy
• Generally not prone to broody-ness
• Light blue colored medium-sized eggs, 3-4 per week
• Start laying a bit late (approaching 5 months)
• Can handle confinement, but far prefer free-ranging
• Can have longer lives (up to 8 years)
• Note: The birds were labeled "Americana" from the feed store.  Based on my reading, it's possible this is a mislabeled Easter Egger.

Golden Comet

• Smaller-sized (hens around 4 lbs)
• Medium to large brown eggs, 5-6 per week 
• Comparable to Rhode Island Red in output.
• Start laying early (around 4 months)
• They rarely become broody.
• Personable, mellow, doesn't mind being picked up.
• Will accommodate a wide range of temperature ranges.
• Could have comb problems when it's very cold.
•  Shorter life span (less than 4-5 years)

Starlight Green Egger

• Smaller-sized (hens around 4 lbs)
• Medium to large sized eggs are only green-colored
• Excellent forager when free-ranging
• Approx 280 eggs/year
• Gold-colored chicken
• Friendly temperament
• Generally not prone to broodiness
• Intelligent

Since we already have Rhode Island Reds (2, we're happy with them), Silver Laced Wyandotte (down to 1, RIP Cathy, we like them), and Sapphire Gem (1, very large birds, independent, very large eggs with a lot of double yolks) we wanted to increase the variety of types.