Beginner Chicken enthusiast needs Breed Help!

[keeko]

LOL Caroline...I'm addicted already, and haven't even bought the chicks yet! I just may be converted from Dominiques to Barred Rocks yet...

Thanks to your help everyone, I'm solidly convinced on Buff Orps! They entirely fit the bill for me and the hubby, I really like what I'm hearing about them, AND I just think they're beautiful.

Any other RIR owners? They seem to be the "classic" standard for backyard flocks, I'm surprised more people don't have them! But I've also heard mixed things about them. Are RIR hens as aggressive as the roos can be?

Decisions!!

 

[matthewschickens]

Our RIR's are not very friendly.
Our BR's are friendly to people but are a little mean to other hens.
Our Bl. Aussies are kinda friendly.
Our BO's were not very friendly but are friends BO's are.,
Our Dominques are still to young to tell.

I LOVE CALIFORNIA WHITES!!
They are the BEST and I think you should consider them.
As far as I know they are better layers and are a LOT more friendly then all other breeds.

Hope this helps!

 

[cobrien]

My Black Australorps are very friendly and great layers. I haven't had the others on your list, but we have the same taste because they are on my list, too, along with Delawares and Brahmas. I also recommend Cochins - very calm and friendly, pretty, and good layers.

I have heard that Faverolles can have a higher mortality rate than other breeds when they are young - you might want to get a few extra. I hope to get some someday. The feathery feet are something to consider with their housing. My feather foots live in a covered run with limited free ranging so stay pretty clean.

Good luck!

 

[suburbanminifarm]

I have a Dominique from My Pet Chicken and she is the friendliest chicken I have. She's like a labrador puppy. My son named her "Doctor Dominique" for some unknown reason. I also wanted a Dom over a Barred Rock because I wanted something less common, and also I liked their rose comb. I don't have others on your list, but good luck!

 

[Preservation Acres]

If the most important thing for you is friendliness, you won't go wrong with Buff Orpingtons and Australorps. Both are great birds. I have both, and they're wonderful. Both breeds are excellent layers, and they don't have a mean bone in their bodies.

Get 4 or 5 of each. You'll love those two breeds.

 

[Preservation Acres]

Oh, the key to having friendly chickens is handling them as much as possible. Pick them up, hold them in your lap, and feed them from your hand. Do this a few times a week, and they'll come to trust you completely. They'll see you and know right away that you're the person who snuggles them and gives them treats.

 

[IN-farmgirl]

Watch out...the Favs will be on the bottom of the pecking order and they very well may get picked on if you choose a dominant breed to go with them. The Favs are super super sweet I have heard. I had bad experience with a high maintenance breed and a layed back breed and they didn't mix well. I will never do that again. I will always have the same breed or breeds with very close temperment. Be sure to continue your research and make sure you have compatible personalities.

 

[FortWorthChicks]

Its an addiction is right!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today I went for a bag of dirt and came home with a silkie roo!

Geeez.... what could I do he was being pecked on!

 

[DAS]

My Black Australorps and Buff Orps are all very mellow with good personalities. RIR hens are a little more aggressive than some of the other breeds, but they are great layers. They are more alert than some of the others and good for sounding the alarm when they are out in the yard. I love the look of the Salmon Faverolles. Unfortunately I only have one left-the rest were killed by a coon. Although I have to agree, they seem to be at the bottom of the pecking order. One of my favorite though is the barred rocks-good layers, great personalities, winter hardy. In my opinion you can't really go wrong with any of these.

 

[keeko]

Thanks everyone!!!

Yeah, I had definitely read that Faverolles could end up on the bottom of the totem pole, so to speak. I dunno though, there's something so captivating about them to me though... I wonder if they'd be better if I kept them as a separate flock? When I discovered them, there was a day or so I was convinced I'd have a whole Faverolles-only flock - easily 10 or so! But I've convinced my husband that the main reason we're getting chickens is for EGGS...not like we need another pet!! (But who are we kidding? They will absolutely be like family!)

Glad to hear someone's Dominique survived! I heard some not-so-great things about My Pet Chicken (being a middle man for Meyer's). Yours was the same reasoning I wanted them over Barred Rocks, but someone has since told me their BR's are some of their favorite! So many to choose from. I'm not kidding when I say I just want them all.