ChickenCrossing.Org

Cochins are prone to broodiness, so if you want a good layer, that might not be your best choice.   They are a bigger breed and do lay well when they're not broody.


The JG  are excellent pets.   You might want to consider a JG roo (if you can have a roo), they are very calm and do get to be pretty big.  Mine are hatchery stock and although the roo is pretty good size, none of them are the size they should be.  If you're looking for size, you would want to get from an individual breeder and not hatchery.

Your other 2 choice of breeds I've never had so can't tell you anything about them.

I'm sorry for the loss of Waffle's friends.   Check your local famers' markets for people that sell eggs because they might be willing to part with an older hen or 2 to keep Waffle company until you can buy chicks.  Another suggestion---check with the feed store.  They may know of somebody or will let you hang an ad on their bulletin board.  Is there a 4-H club near you?

I was going to suggest MyPetChicken.com, but I just checked and there are no chicks available until February 2010.  The good thing about MPC is that you can get as few as 3 chicks because they include a heat packet in the shipping box.  Other hatcheries require a minimum order of 25 chicks, although I think some smaller hatcheries have a 15 chick minimum when the weather is warm. 

Australorps are good layers, have a nice disposition and their black feathers contrast nicely against the green grass.  Speckled Sussex are friendly, tending to be the nosy busybodies of the flock, telling you which hen did what and when.     My Brahmas are decent layers although they don't lay as well as Australorps.  I have 4 and only 1 is sociable...the other 3 are aloof.  Like BCM, I'm partial to JGs too.  It will be a shame if you can't have a JG rooster or even a Brahma rooster.  I don't have any personal experience with Barred Rocks, but I hear they very sociable and loaded with personality.

Check your local ordinances about the rooster situation. 

Contact your wildlife commission because they can send someone out to trap and relocate your predator.

And we cant forget EE's, they have such a pretty colorful feathering and lay blue or green eggs.

Of course, you might want a hen that is VERY laid back, you said Waffle was low on the totem pole right?  If you buy a hen thats older, make sure its a very laid back hen, or that you get one that will get along and not beat up on your poor Waffle.  They dont always get along, even tho they are lonely.

you guys are so great. thanks for all of the suggestions! I dont really know where Waffle fell on the pecking order because all of my girls got along so well...Waffle just acted like the baby of the group...which she was. But I am really hopeful that whatever I get gets along with her as well as my other two girls

Waffle is an EE, and I would love to have more. They are great! I am apprehensive about branching out to other breeds though. So I shouldnt worry about the size of the birds I get?