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What Breed fits?

post #1 of 9
3/26/12 at 7:06am
Thread Starter 

Hi!

I'm sorry, I don't know in which category this fits. I had a few questions concerning breed, so I guess here is as good a place as any? I'm new at the chicken breeding. Super new. So new I don't even have an egg or a chicken or whatever comes first.

 

I was looking at breeds to get and I'm just not sure what is right for me. I would like a breed that's not super deluxe expensive but also not a breed that is too prone to illness. It would be good if they lay a medium amount of eggs. I'm not looking to sell overly much. I want to supply my friends and family. That's enough for me. I'm not sure if I could eat any chicken I raised, so It doesn't have to be one that's especially good for that.

 

Do I have to watch out for climate conditions, as well? They are going to get a barn, of course, but maybe some breeds don't take to cold winters?

 

Any answers would be great. Thanks so much in advance.

 

And sorry again, if this is the wrong spot... Then please move it where it fits, admin :) Thanks :D

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post #2 of 9
3/26/12 at 7:19am

If you live in an area with cold winters, you want a chicken with a comb that is smaller. Pea, Rose,.................. Try Wyandottes, or Ameraucana.........................

Highland Hills Cackleberries home of LF Black/Blue/Splash Ameraucana, Wheaten/Blue Wheaten/Splash Wheaten Ameraucana, Silver Laced Wyandottes, and Mottled Bantam Cochins.  We have an egg flock that consists of English Orpingtons, Black Australorps, Naked Necks, Sumatras, Dark Brahma, EE, Marans, LF Cochin, and Blue Andalusian.

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Highland Hills Cackleberries home of LF Black/Blue/Splash Ameraucana, Wheaten/Blue Wheaten/Splash Wheaten Ameraucana, Silver Laced Wyandottes, and Mottled Bantam Cochins.  We have an egg flock that consists of English Orpingtons, Black Australorps, Naked Necks, Sumatras, Dark Brahma, EE, Marans, LF Cochin, and Blue Andalusian.

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post #3 of 9
3/26/12 at 7:23am

I second the wyandotte and ameraucana (easter egger) thing. They are medium-expert layers, have small combs so they are very cold hardy, and are very beautiful. Also Easter Eggers lay green and blue eggs. Maybe you could get some wyandotte and some easter eggers? Oh, and they are both very friendly. I love mine!

I have five hens and two pullets- one seven year old red star, Luna, one white leghorn, Sage, one SLW, Pepper, one adorable fluffy EE, Bedazzle, and one black star, Buckbeak. My two pullets are Nutella, my wheaten marans, thirty five weeks, (who is yet to lay an egg!), and her best friend, Sammy, seventeen weeks.

 

 

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I have five hens and two pullets- one seven year old red star, Luna, one white leghorn, Sage, one SLW, Pepper, one adorable fluffy EE, Bedazzle, and one black star, Buckbeak. My two pullets are Nutella, my wheaten marans, thirty five weeks, (who is yet to lay an egg!), and her best friend, Sammy, seventeen weeks.

 

 

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post #4 of 9
3/26/12 at 7:58am

It really depends on where you live and what else you are looking for in your chickens. I currently live on a 42 acre farm, and I LOVE chickens that are good foragers and free range well. My absolute favorite breed right now are my Penedesencas. They are a bit expensive, though, about $10 apiece. My Easter Eggers and Speckled Sussex are also good foragers and lay well. If I had to keep them penned, I would definitely not go with the Penes b/c they are very flighty. My Salmon Faverolles is probably my calmest hen, and would do well penned up, so would my Ameraucanas. My EE's are a bit more flighty, but would also probably be ok, my Speckled Sussex would definitely be ok, despite being a great forager, she's pretty content when I don't let them out. I also have a few other breeds that I am not crazy about. I've been disappointed in my hatchery Blue Andalusians and Exchequer Leghorns. They just don't lay well, and they aren't even as pretty as I was expecting. :( The Leghorns are definitely my most docile hens, though, they let us walk right up to them and pick them up.

Wendy, chemist, mama to 4 human children, a crazy Husky/Australian Shepherd cross dog, a cat, several fish, bunnies, 17 goats,and our ever growing flock of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese.

My oldest son is breeding BBS Orps! Looking for breeding stock!

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Wendy, chemist, mama to 4 human children, a crazy Husky/Australian Shepherd cross dog, a cat, several fish, bunnies, 17 goats,and our ever growing flock of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese.

My oldest son is breeding BBS Orps! Looking for breeding stock!

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post #5 of 9
3/27/12 at 2:39am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by heatherscooby77 View Post

If you live in an area with cold winters, you want a chicken with a comb that is smaller. Pea, Rose,.................. Try Wyandottes, or Ameraucana.........................



I had a look at them and they all seem quite cool. (But is pea and rose the comb or a breed?hu.gif)

The Wyandottes sound promising. I like them friendly :D

 

@mama24: I don't have a farm, so not THAT much space. They would have a a good bit of space to forage, but not acres and acres of it, unfortunately. The Sussex breed is so pretty in any given colour. I'm definitely considering them if they are okay to be in the pen for a while.

 

on a side note. I was frolicking on wikipedia (aka looking up the Wyandottes) and found the story of mike the headless chicken. I never thought the saying "like a headless chicken" actually had a basis in the truth. sickbyc.gif

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post #6 of 9
3/27/12 at 3:26am
How important is temperament?

I recommend the barred rock. They do have a single comb, but should not succumb to frost bite unless they live in a coop with inadequate ventilation. They are wonderful layers of large brown eggs, friendly, easy going and very popular. If you wanted to sell chicks, they go like hotcakes around here.

I live in Canada, and it is my breed of choice. If I can live in this cold of a climate and have them without any ill effects from the cold, you can too.

ETA: And mine lay right through winter! They are a cold-hardy breed.

_MG_4394.jpg
Here is my trio. I am getting five more chicks April 7th.
Edited by aoxa - 3/27/12 at 3:28am

LES Farms

Currently breeding Silkies in White and Blue. Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Visit our COOP Page!

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

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LES Farms

Currently breeding Silkies in White and Blue. Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Visit our COOP Page!

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

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post #7 of 9
3/28/12 at 4:58pm

I have easter-eggers. They are very good chickens and they have been laying through the winter and don’t mind the cold very much. They lay beautiful blue eggs 4 or 5 times a week. smile.png


Edited by Angelwings - 3/28/12 at 5:00pm
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post #8 of 9
4/2/12 at 7:41am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by aoxa View Post

How important is temperament?
I recommend the barred rock. They do have a single comb, but should not succumb to frost bite unless they live in a coop with inadequate ventilation. They are wonderful layers of large brown eggs, friendly, easy going and very popular. If you wanted to sell chicks, they go like hotcakes around here.
I live in Canada, and it is my breed of choice. If I can live in this cold of a climate and have them without any ill effects from the cold, you can too.
ETA: And mine lay right through winter! They are a cold-hardy breed.
_MG_4394.jpg
Here is my trio. I am getting five more chicks April 7th.


I had a look at the winners of the Barred Rock competition. I really like this breed. It's very pretty.I don't think it gets as cold with us as it does up North in Canada, so they should be alright. I'm definitely leaning towards those pretties. A friendly temperament would be of the good :) Yours are really nice! Congrats :D

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelwings View Post

I have easter-eggers. They are very good chickens and they have been laying through the winter and don’t mind the cold very much. They lay beautiful blue eggs 4 or 5 times a week. smile.png


Easter eggers also sound great. It's ok, to get more than one breed, right? Are some combinations not advisable?


Edited by bluespotted - 4/2/12 at 7:43am
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post #9 of 9
4/2/12 at 11:45am

I LOVE my Red Star (Golden sex-link) chicken. She is very cold hardy, I live in Utah, so that is definitely a big factor in what breed to get. She is not expensive to take care of, my ducks are what eat the most. She has never once gotten sick, I have had plenty of sick poultry, but she has never been one of them. She is an amazing layer, I always get ATLEAST 6 eggs a week, but usually I get 7 a week. She is also really friendly. I would suggest a Red Star to anyone.

I've got 2 cats, Dyllen and Star. I have 17 chickens; 3 BLRW, 3 mutts, 2 EEs, 2 White Rock roosters, 1 RIR, 1 White Leghorn, 1 Red Star, 1 Golden Campine, 1 unknown hen, 1 Partridge cochin, and 1  Golden Polish. I also have 1 Swedish/Black Indian Runner with her three ducklings.

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I've got 2 cats, Dyllen and Star. I have 17 chickens; 3 BLRW, 3 mutts, 2 EEs, 2 White Rock roosters, 1 RIR, 1 White Leghorn, 1 Red Star, 1 Golden Campine, 1 unknown hen, 1 Partridge cochin, and 1  Golden Polish. I also have 1 Swedish/Black Indian Runner with her three ducklings.

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