Simply put, this is the best all around book on chickens available. I have given it as gifts to new poultrykeepers, and have greatly reduced the number of questions I have fielded as a result.
We have Wyandottes, both Large Fowl and Bantam. They have proven to be well suited for the cold weather we have in Wisconsin. Their small rose comp, hefty weight and "smarts" have them well adapted to our needs. Our Columbian Wyandotte layed 299 eggs her first 12 months, so egg production, at least in her case, was outstanding.
I highly recommend this breed for cold climates and those desiring a low maintenance bird!
Cons: Needs lots of attention and a lot of luck to get a hatch
No insulation + No thermostat = Hard to regulate temperature.
We actually got a 40% hatch rate out of this incubator, but only after hourly monitoring of temperature and humidity. Temp is "adjusted" by repositioning aluminum foil so that it reflects off more or less of the light bulbs heat. Constant attention is needed until you get this right. Then, if the room conditions change, more adjusting is needed. It becomes rather tedious.
