Best breed considering 3 factors; eggs, meat, and cold hardiness

[dudefromtampa]

I did my research this past fall when I started keeping chickens. I settled on Wyandottes, GLW's to be specific for the 3 reasons you listed - Cold Hardy, Dual Purpose, good temperament. I have 6 pullets that reside with my Easter Egger Cockerel and Pullet that are a few months older. The Wyandottes swarm around my feet when I enter to feed them, and are docile birds - definitely not aggressive in the least. They have been a joy to date. I average 4 eggs a day from the 6 birds, and the youngest pullet hasn't come to POL yet. They have survived this brutal winter weather of -20's F without a hint of frostbite or other problem due to the cold. They are a bit slower to mature than other breeds, but are reported to be delicious to eat.

Wyandottes are on the list. I passed on to the Missus about a 1/2 doz to choose from and leaving it up to her to pick from there. She tends to make more logical decisions than I do.

Thanks much for your advice!

 

[Beer can]

Gotta admit that's the first time i have heard of Naked Necks but googled them. Interesting bird.

Looked at NJ Giants. They are on the short list of birds I'm considering. Have to make up my mind soon. I think the only con I found with the NJ Giant is that the feed to meat conversion wasn't great but since I plan on free ranging them at least half the year, that's not a major obstacle.

I'm a SE Pennsylvania transplant. Originally from outside of Tampa.

Probably should just get a couple dozen of each, wyandottes, chants, rocks both white and barred, new hamps, delaware, NN's, orps, dark cornish, etc, ... and see what you like best lol.
Whatever you get you'll probably decide you want to try another breed.
I've done that a few times now.
Crossing breeds is a lot of fun and interesting also when you get into hatching.

 

[BantyChooks]

Probably should just get a couple dozen of each, wyandottes, chants, rocks both white and barred, new hamps, delaware, NN's, orps, dark cornish, etc, ... and see what you like best lol.
Whatever you get you'll probably decide you want to try another breed.
I've done that a few times now.
Crossing breeds is a lot of fun and interesting also when you get into hatching.

x2. I tried 20 different breeds not counting varieties before I found what I wanted.

 

[BantyChooks]

These are two of my four White Leghorn hens. They have gone through two weeks straight of highs below 0F and lows averaging -15F. They haven't been in anything under -20F yet, but past Leghorns of mine were in -35 to -40F temperatures and did fine.

Behaviour wise they are the most cold hardy of all my chickens. Well.... pretty close to the Chanteclers. The only reason they're ahead is the chanties are so big and goofy that they thought snow was a monster for the first few months and the Leghorns ploughed right in like they'd been snowshoeing since chickhood. It just goes to show that sometimes things are backwards from what you'd think.

A note: Leghorn roosters (straight comb) will indeed get pretty severe frostbite.

 

[Rye]

These are two of my four White Leghorn hens. They have gone through two weeks straight of highs below 0F and lows averaging -15F. They haven't been in anything under -20F yet, but past Leghorns of mine were in -35 to -40F temperatures and did fine.

Behaviour wise they are the most cold hardy of all my chickens. Well.... pretty close to the Chanteclers. The only reason they're ahead is the chanties are so big and goofy that they thought snow was a monster for the first few months and the Leghorns ploughed right in like they'd been snowshoeing since chickhood. It just goes to show that sometimes things are backwards from what you'd think.

A note: Leghorn roosters (straight comb) will indeed get pretty severe frostbite.
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Very good post. Way too many go off of breed descriptions. So much more can be gathered from knowledgeable people like you sharing.

There are at least Rose Comb versions of leghorns that have to deal with as much frostbite. Still, frostbite doesn't seem to bother them.

 

[MillersFarm]

I have to go with my Black Jersey Giants. They're great layers (The only ones besides my leghorns that are laying) and pretty heavy birds as well.. They eat wayy less than my Buff orpingtons and Wyandottes (Not to mention they're noticeably larger than them too). They're pretty friendly, Make amazing mothers. and Great roosters.. and are super hardy birds. Jersey Giants would have to be my favorite breed of chickens so far.

 

[Rye]

Giants eat less than Wyandottes?

Where are your giants from?

 

[MillersFarm]

Giants eat less than Wyandottes?

Where are your giants from?

I originally bought them from a hatchery but I have been breeding them myself for 3 years now. The only Jersey Giant I have left from the hatchery is my one girl Piper. But the rest are nice and heavy with a beautiful green/purple shine to them.

 

[BantyChooks]

Very good post. Way too many go off of breed descriptions. So much more can be gathered from knowledgeable people like you sharing.

There are at least Rose Comb versions of leghorns that have to deal with as much frostbite. Still, frostbite doesn't seem to bother them.

Thank you. I've thought about them but I don't know of any local sources of the rose combed varieties. The body type of the dual purpose breeds is much more pleasing to my eye or I'd have thought quite seriously about giving them a try... maybe I still will if I come across any.

 

[dudefromtampa]

I'm surprised I haven't seen more posts regarding Rhode Island Whites.