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Official BYC Poll - What Breed Characteristic Is Most Important?

Poll Results: What is your most important charachteristic when choosing a breed?

 
  • 10% (56)
    Climate Hardiness
  • 0% (2)
    Meat Production
  • 13% (68)
    Aesthetics / Looks / Showability
  • 21% (113)
    Egg Production / Quantity
  • 34% (180)
    Temperament / Personality
  • 6% (35)
    Egg Color
  • 11% (61)
    Heritage / Endangered
523 Total Votes  
post #1 of 83
10/15/10 at 11:39am
Thread Starter 

There are a TON of reasons why we choose the breeds we do, but everybody has a specific characteristic that are the most important... so, what's yours?

Our Chicken Breeds  section really shows off the ton of diversity in chicken breeds.  Here are the characteristics often used when deciding on a specific breed:


Climate Hardiness
Meat Production
Aesthetics / Looks / Showability
Egg Production / Quantity
Temperament / Personality
Egg Color
Heritage, Endangered

It may be hard to choose just one, but do your best!  big_smile

Rob - Married to my wife Emily for 12 years and have two daughters, 9 and 6.  Home to four hens
Nifty-Stuff.com | TheEasyGarden.com  | SufficientSelf.com | BackYardHerds.com
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Rob - Married to my wife Emily for 12 years and have two daughters, 9 and 6.  Home to four hens
Nifty-Stuff.com | TheEasyGarden.com  | SufficientSelf.com | BackYardHerds.com
Upgrade to a Golden Feather Membership - Check Out BYC on Facebook

Having Technical Problems?  See here!

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post #2 of 83
10/15/10 at 8:27pm

It is hard to pick just one characteristic!  I chose temperament/personality as the most important thing.  My chickens are pets.  smile

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post #3 of 83
10/16/10 at 3:08am

Personality is so important , when everyone is fighting it will turn out like the American economy. So if you chicks have a pleasant personality and temperment, most everything else works its way out.

On a island, with our birds and one of the geatest views in the world. Learning how to be attached and unable to leave, we have birds!!!!!!thats why..
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On a island, with our birds and one of the geatest views in the world. Learning how to be attached and unable to leave, we have birds!!!!!!thats why..
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post #4 of 83
10/16/10 at 3:12am
  • Mahonri
  • Platinum Poultry
  • Urban Desert Chicken Enthusiast

well, seeing as how I have Marans and Ameraucanas, you would know that I chose - Egg Color

Keeper of 18 hens,  3 PW Leghorns, 1 leghorn mix, 1 FBCMarans, 1 Australorp, 2 Olive Eggers , 1 EE, a Barred Rock, a RIR, a CQ, 1 Delaware,, a Splash Ameraucana,  3 polish, a Welsummer and 25 juvies of various breeds(6 Heritage Delawares, 1 SLW, 1Blue NN, 5 FBCMs, 2 Ameraucanas, 2 Olive Eggers, and 8 Alohas.) YIKES!  Time to SELL some chickens!

 

 

"With God, ALL things are possible."

   ...

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Keeper of 18 hens,  3 PW Leghorns, 1 leghorn mix, 1 FBCMarans, 1 Australorp, 2 Olive Eggers , 1 EE, a Barred Rock, a RIR, a CQ, 1 Delaware,, a Splash Ameraucana,  3 polish, a Welsummer and 25 juvies of various breeds(6 Heritage Delawares, 1 SLW, 1Blue NN, 5 FBCMs, 2 Ameraucanas, 2 Olive Eggers, and 8 Alohas.) YIKES!  Time to SELL some chickens!

 

 

"With God, ALL things are possible."

   ...

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post #5 of 83
10/16/10 at 4:39am

It is hard to chose one characteristic.  I am looking for a good cold hardy, meat/egg layer combo, with a great personality!  Heritage breed is icing on the cake.  I am working with Marans right now and I love egg color but right now it is not important.  I am going to try a few Wyndottes next year as I think they are going to be the perfect meat/egg combo bird for our Vermont location. 

I guess in order of importance I have

1.  Climate Hardiness
2.  Meat/Egg combo bird
3.  looks*
4.  Personality/Temperment
5.  Heritage
6.  Egg color

*I have to keep "pretty" birds as they range on my neighbors lawn, and she likes to see "all the colorful chickens".  I rank it high 'cuz it's a good neighbor thing.

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post #6 of 83
10/16/10 at 4:42am

Rob,

I had a hard time picking just one trait:-(

1.) winter hardy for sure
2.) temperment
3.) egg color-doesnt matter how often they lay just as long as I get some eggies  couple times a week!

Silver Laced Brahmas, Tolbunts,BBS Marans, Tolbunt mixed bucket of fun eggs and ;A bunch of projects working right now!!!!! wee.gif

SWAP http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/swap-items-1

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Silver Laced Brahmas, Tolbunts,BBS Marans, Tolbunt mixed bucket of fun eggs and ;A bunch of projects working right now!!!!! wee.gif

SWAP http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/swap-items-1

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post #7 of 83
10/16/10 at 5:22am

I chose temperament/personality because while it isn't the characteristic that gets you in the door, with very limited space it's the one that determines which birds stay.  The ones that get you in the door are aesthetics, egg production, and egg color.  Production qualities are important, but with so many breeds out there that meet my production needs I really want a "pretty" bird too.

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post #8 of 83
10/16/10 at 7:00am

I can't pick just one.....There should be a vote for "all the above"wink

Being raised with pets all my life I have a vast knowledge in all sorts of feathered and furry creatures and a love for which. My infatuation with Silkies began as a child when I acquired my first Silkie and at 36 years of age they still capture my attention and bring a smile to my face. In addition to Silkies I also have cream/creme Brabanters, Seramas, Showgirl Silkies, Guinea fowl and...


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Being raised with pets all my life I have a vast knowledge in all sorts of feathered and furry creatures and a love for which. My infatuation with Silkies began as a child when I acquired my first Silkie and at 36 years of age they still capture my attention and bring a smile to my face. In addition to Silkies I also have cream/creme Brabanters, Seramas, Showgirl Silkies, Guinea fowl and...


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post #9 of 83
10/16/10 at 8:17am

It never ceases to amaze me how many folks choose for personality/temperament when choosing a food animal.  Clearly, BYC folks are more into raising chickens for the pet factor than for food production....which still amazes me.

If you died tonight, where would you spend eternity?  Please think about it. 

Info we all need to know:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDDGl79x4Pc&feature=my_favorites&list=FLIvzTTPS3Bg-qsbs8VPh__Q


 

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If you died tonight, where would you spend eternity?  Please think about it. 

Info we all need to know:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDDGl79x4Pc&feature=my_favorites&list=FLIvzTTPS3Bg-qsbs8VPh__Q


 

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post #10 of 83
10/16/10 at 8:27am

Need an option for Dual Purpose.  It's really tough to choose whether egg production or meat is more important, so I went with Heritage/Endangered because lots of those birds are suitable for both.

Cold hardiness is quite important, but Egg color is just for fun!

Dont you find it odd that people will put more work into choosing their mechanic or house contractor than they will into choosing the person who grows their food?
-Joel Salatin

My Etsy photography shop - MeadowPath

 

 

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Dont you find it odd that people will put more work into choosing their mechanic or house contractor than they will into choosing the person who grows their food?
-Joel Salatin

My Etsy photography shop - MeadowPath

 

 

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