Are these breeds any good??

[ValerieJ]

If you are looking for personality, ease of care, and lots of eggs, might I recommend the Buff Orpington? That is one in my avatar. These are great birds, and actually come in a lot of other colors besides buff.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've had all of them except silkies (which aren't particularly productive and they are frequently broody).
The rest are OK. Some lines of polish are prolific, others not so much.
Brahmas lay about 140 a year. The rest are better.
JGs lay 175 or more.
Wyandottes are the best of the bunch at 180-200.

Sussex, Plymouth Rocks, Orpingtons, Redcaps, Lakenvelders, Ameraucanas, Penedesencas, Barnevelders, Anconas, Delawares and Faverolles lay on a par with the Wyandottes.

Better yet are Dominiques, Minorcas, Leghorns, RIRs, Australorps and Hamburgs. They are all among the most productive pure breeds.

 

[CindyinSD]

I have Columbian and Silver laced black Wyandottes. One of the CWs is the subject for the chicken portrait currently on my avatar. The CWs are fluffy, soft, gentle and friendly. They lay well, as do the SLBWs. The SLBWs are sleeker, wilder and, I suspect, better able to take care of themselves. It’s hard for me to catch them, but when I do, they don’t generally freak out. It surprised me that the two colors made such a difference in personality.

I’d buy either breed again, but I’m curious about breeds I don’t already have and as long as I have some of my originals I’ll probably reserve new purchases for breeds I have yet to experience.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

Polish and silkies come with extra challenges to keep them. They are best kept with their own breeds, or similar type to avoid problems. Sometimes they are compatible with other breeds, but other times it can be a disaster.

Most breeds without crests are compatible. I generally recommend not mixing bantam and standards as that mix can bring up some issues as well.

Brahma, Wyandotte, and Jersey giants should get along fine as long as you have plenty of room for everyone. I am mostly familiar with the Wyandotte. The gold laced lay the best.

What are the challenges of silkies and polish?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What are the challenges of silkies and polish?

The primary challenge is their crest of feathers that makes them vulnerable to predation but particularly to aerial predators that they can't see coming.
People that raise silkies call them hawk bites.
I've had polish taken by dogs at a greater rate than other breeds.
They can also be picked on by other breeds, especially ones like RIRs.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What are the challenges of silkies and polish?

They often can't see well. They can act odd as well, usually due to not having good sight, but some can be mentally dull.

In a mixed flock their crests can attract pecking from others, and these breeds can't see it coming. Both breeds are prone to brain injuries from repeated pecking. Some have a domed skull.

I have mixed polish successfully with other breeds by making sure there are multiple polish, and lots of room so the polish can get away.

Silkie should only be kept with other silkies or gentle bantam breeds. The exception is some of those big old poorly bred silkies. They seem to be okay due to their size and small crests.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

They often can't see well. They can act odd as well, usually due to not having good sight, but some can be mentally dull.

In a mixed flock their crests can attract pecking from others, and these breeds can't see it coming. Both breeds are prone to brain injuries from repeated pecking. Some have a domed skull.

I have mixed polish successfully with other breeds by making sure there are multiple polish, and lots of room so the polish can get away.

Silkie should only be kept with other silkies or gentle bantam breeds. The exception is some of those big old poorly bred silkies. They seem to be okay due to their size and small crests.

If I were to put them with some Jersey Giants do you think that they would be ok? I like my birds to have a distinct appearance that's why I like the polish and silkies. I also have six ducks at home do you think that would be a problem? I live in a neighborhood and let my ducks free range the back yard and have never had problems with hawks. Never seen heard or had any run ins with them but just to be safe ive given them plenty of cover from them. Is there anything I can do to help with their eyesight? Sorry about all the questions im new to chickens.

 

[CatWhisperer]

My polish are so much dumber than my silkies. Neither tolerate cold well and the silkies dont do well in the heat either. I have taped and ziptied up the polish crests and behavior no better. Polish are also the most aggressive to other birds in my flock.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If I were to put them with some Jersey Giants do you think that they would be ok? I like my birds to have a distinct appearance that's why I like the polish and silkies. I also have six ducks at home do you think that would be a problem? I live in a neighborhood and let my ducks free range the back yard and have never had problems with hawks. Never seen heard or had any run ins with them but just to be safe ive given them plenty of cover from them. Is there anything I can do to help with their eyesight? Sorry about all the questions im new to chickens.

I can't give you a yes or no answer. It's your choice on what breeds to try. I've shared the problems I've seen myself and read about. It's up to you to decide if you are in a position to manage any problems that may arise, or accept anything that may happen. All you can do is try and see how it goes. Sometimes everything is fine, sometimes not.