Best All-Around Chicken Breed?

[Bullitt]

It seems it is a balancing act of the traits that are desirable in a chicken. Improve the laying ability and the mothering instinct decreases. Improve the mothering instinct and the laying ability is decreased.

It seems that around 200 eggs a year is about the most that can be expected from a hen that is also a good mother.

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

It seems it is a balancing act of the traits that are desirable in a chicken. Improve the laying ability and the mothering instinct decreases. Improve the mothering instinct and the laying ability is decreased.

It seems that around 200 eggs a year is about the most that can be expected from a hen that is also a good mother.

200 egg per year is about the best it gets for any good true heritage breed

 

[rmurrayslcut]

I'm a Rhode Island Red man - so much so that I transitioned from a mixed flock my first time around to an all RIR squad for my second flock. They're weather-hardy, prodigious layers of big eggs, and I love their personalities. They're independent, bright, and seem to avoid much of the squabbling and pecking order drama that comes with other breeds. I love them!

Granted, my experience is relatively limited, but one can't go wrong with Rhode Islands.

 

[brummie]

I would say light sussex.

They are great egg layers, one of the best dp for meat, one of the calmest and most friendly, they go broody so can raise their own, excellent foragers, Hardy in most weather conditions, don't seem to get ill as easily as some other breeds in my experience, eat less than orps but give more eggs and look pretty awesome. There's a reason why they are probably the most used breed in hybrids here in UK. Because they are the best all rounder. They are crossed with Rir to get one of the worlds best egg layers, crossed with silkie to get the world's best broodies (goldtops) and they are crossed with Indian game to get one of the world's best meat chicken (not including the fast growing broilers).

I would give second place to Rir.

 

[stoneunhenged]

Having raised many dozens of different chicken breeds, there is no doubt that if I were limited to choosing one it would be the Bielefelder. Beautiful feathering, large frames, abundant producers of huge colorful eggs, auto-sexing, and very gentle.

 

[jmstar74]

Stone,

Have you dressed any out if I may ask? If so may we have your opinion of how they were?
We are looking at ordering these and the American Bresses from you next year.

 

[SlimPickens74]

Wishing that this thread had stayed alive. Would love to hear what others think . Trying to decide what I wanna fill my coop with . Wanna do Cubalayas for sure , but want my core flock for an all around . Leaning toward RiRs . Yet have an open mind , especially with endangered breeds. As long as they can earn their keep :cd

 

[junebuggena]

Everyone has their own preferences and goals. It's a question that is frequently asked on this site, and everyone has a different opinion on. The general advice given to first timers is, get a few of each breed that you want to try. If you love your choices after having them for about a year, great. If there is something that you don't love or wish you could change, then rehome and try something else. Sometimes, what seems like the perfect breed in the poultry catalog doesn't match with the reality of keeping it. Stick with sexed pullets for your first few years. Cockerels can be difficult to deal with for inexperienced owners.

There are so many great breeds, and so little room.

 

[rmurrayslcut]

Mixed flocks are fun, but susceptible to hen-on-hen aggression. Go with your gut. I only have RIRs now; hearty, best personality, serious layers. Good luck!

 

[PurpleChicken1]

I'm also looking for some chickens but I'm not sure if I should for Orps, Barred Rocks or RIR's. Have previously had Lohmann Browns! Would be really grateful for suggestions!