Best Breed of Chicken?

[varidgerunner]

My birds are not as difficult as they seem. They are actually quite happy as singles or mated pairs, and the pens to do so can take up a pretty small footprint. Turning all of the chickens loose to merge into one big fowl family is just not a reality, but with some ingenuity birds can be turned loose on a rotating basis. They are super long lived, in many ways they are similar to an outdoor parrot, (no rule says they need to be outdoor, though.)

 

[CuttingHorse]

Thank you! I will have more pics once I get on my PC instead of a phone. She is such a character, and always has to say hi to everybody. They do need some space to roam, and don't enjoy constantly being cooped up, but will tolerate it if neccecary...... LOL! 15.95 ounces to 7 pounds..... That would be a monster chicken. -Banti

She sounds like it! Is she your official greeting committee? I agree, chickens need their space to roam! My hens will be roaming across my horse pastures unless I'm gone, then they will be put in the coop/run. I have a lot of scorpions in my area, so if I can let my chickens loose to eat their food source(bugs), they will be out roaming. Lol, this is why I shouldn't be posting before my coffee kicks in! I think a 16 pound chicken would dwarf a Jersey Giant!

I know, sorry! I'm really no help when it comes to minimizing the number of birds you get. In fact, my infectious chicken math has a bad effect on those around me. Do you have any hatcheries you could order from? Although hatchery stock vs. breeders is a common comparison for those looking for personable traits in a bird, I find that both are equally as sweet, just in different ways. That way you would have more variety if you so wished. But, of course, I'm not saying that you should deviate from your original plan, I was just curious. Yeah, I REALLY recommend Mille Fleur d'Uccles if you can manage to get your hands on them. My three are turning out to be real sweetie pies, especially the cockerels (at least I'm suspecting that they're boys), believe it or not! They will practically self-detonate if you put them down when they fly up on you. Piranha is a real lap pet! ~Alex

Haha, no worries! If I could, I would have tons of chickens running around, but I'm going to have to keep it at a dozen. I probably should be, but I'm not overly picky about where I get my birds from. As long as they're healthy I'm fine with it. I have Ideal Poultry about an hour and a half away from where I live. They have the most variety available. Unfortunately, Ideal is sold out until June(at least) on "common" breeds such as barred rocks, but I think they have some Mille Fleurs available by the end of March. Not sure about other breeds. There's a few local breeders who have the breeds I'm looking for, but they won't answer me back. I'll probably buy most of my birds from the feed store, which orders from Ideal. If Ideal will let me, I'm going to try to tack my birds on with their order so that I can get around the order limit. Sorry, probably more information than you wanted! They're so cute! They look like they could get into some trouble together. I think I'll look into the Mille Fleurs and see if I can get some.

 

[BantyChooks]

She sounds like it! Is she your official greeting committee? I agree, chickens need their space to roam! My hens will be roaming across my horse pastures unless I'm gone, then they will be put in the coop/run. I have a lot of scorpions in my area, so if I can let my chickens loose to eat their food source(bugs), they will be out roaming.

Lol, this is why I shouldn't be posting before my coffee kicks in! I think a 16 pound chicken would dwarf a Jersey Giant!
Haha, no worries! If I could, I would have tons of chickens running around, but I'm going to have to keep it at a dozen.

Pretty much... She is an escape artist, so I'll go out there and she will be free-ranging, and she'll run up to meet me or whoever is with me.

Wow, that sounds PERFECT for an OEGB. (Or any chicken!)
I can't let mine free range much, (too many stray dogs) but she loves going out and scratching around.
-Banti

 

[CuttingHorse]

My birds are not as difficult as they seem. They are actually quite happy as singles or mated pairs, and the pens to do so can take up a pretty small footprint. Turning all of the chickens loose to merge into one big fowl family is just not a reality, but with some ingenuity birds can be turned loose on a rotating basis. They are super long lived, in many ways they are similar to an outdoor parrot, (no rule says they need to be outdoor, though.)

What a handsome boy! Are they closer to parrots to keep, or are they like chickens? How long do they live?

Pretty much... She is an escape artist, so I'll go out there and she will be free-ranging, and she'll run up to meet me or whoever is with me. Wow, that sounds PERFECT for an OEGB. (Or any chicken!) I can't let mine free range much, (too many stray dogs) but she loves going out and scratching around. -Banti

That's funny! It sounds like she just has to know what you're doing and why she isn't with you. Lol, I suspect these chickens will live better than I do. The horses certainly do! Hmm, never thought of stray dogs. I have a lot of hawks so that may be an issue. I'm going to keep a rooster with the hens to hopefully protect them. I don't think there's too many stray dogs in the area, and they shouldn't be able to get through my fence. It's 6"X6" wire with slick wire on top. Soon I will have it backed with 2"X4" wire.The only dogs roaming around are the ones that the owners let loose because they think they are safe to do so since they're in the country.:/ Rather annoying, but so far I haven't had any issue with them. I think the two year old horse would kill any dog that came into her pasture uninvited. Or at least invite it in for a game of chase.

 

[BantyChooks]

What a handsome boy! Are they closer to parrots to keep, or are they like chickens? How long do they live?
That's funny! It sounds like she just has to know what you're doing and why she isn't with you.

Lol, I suspect these chickens will live better than I do. The horses certainly do!

Hmm, never thought of stray dogs. I have a lot of hawks so that may be an issue. I'm going to keep a rooster with the hens to hopefully protect them. I don't think there's too many stray dogs in the area, and they shouldn't be able to get through my fence. It's 6"X6" wire with slick wire on top. Soon I will have it backed with 2"X4" wire.The only dogs roaming around are the ones that the owners let loose because they think they are safe to do so since they're in the country.:/ Rather annoying, but so far I haven't had any issue with them. I think the two year old horse would kill any dog that came into her pasture uninvited. Or at least invite it in for a game of chase.

Totally- she is my special girl.

Dogs are a pretty big problem here, but quite a few people don't have too many issues with them.
-Banti

 

[varidgerunner]

On the age question, they don't go 50 years, but certainly longer than most chickens. Most breeds have been selected for production traits, and a lot on color, diminished size, or some other odd trait. Those selections are sometimes antagonistic to longevity. Most of the game breeds have historically been selected for their physical fitness.. It is not uncommon to see game hens still laying eggs and raising chicks well after ten years, nor is it uncommon to see individuals approach twenty years of age, with good care.

Because of their tight feathers, oriental games are less cold tolerant than other birds. They need a roosting area that blocks wind on three sides and prevents snow or rain from falling directly on the bird. Individuals that aren't good about covering their toes while perching, will not do well in extreme cold, while others will do fine. Their tight fitting comb and lack of wattles make it easy for them to get their entire head under a wing. If you want to take pity on them in the winter, you can bed them down in a large ventilated box in the basement or garage, or just bring them inside. These birds seem to respond very well to boundary training, so you could keep them off the carpet. Several people that I have heard from keep a big oriental game in their house, their personality makes them a very entertaining pet. Usually it is the males, the females can be a little less touchy feely when they start looking for a place to lay.

 

[Alexandra33]

Haha, no worries! If I could, I would have tons of chickens running around, but I'm going to have to keep it at a dozen.

I probably should be, but I'm not overly picky about where I get my birds from. As long as they're healthy I'm fine with it. I have Ideal Poultry about an hour and a half away from where I live. They have the most variety available. Unfortunately, Ideal is sold out until June(at least) on "common" breeds such as barred rocks, but I think they have some Mille Fleurs available by the end of March. Not sure about other breeds. There's a few local breeders who have the breeds I'm looking for, but they won't answer me back.

I'll probably buy most of my birds from the feed store, which orders from Ideal. If Ideal will let me, I'm going to try to tack my birds on with their order so that I can get around the order limit.

Sorry, probably more information than you wanted!

They're so cute! They look like they could get into some trouble together.

I think I'll look into the Mille Fleurs and see if I can get some.

I don't mind a bit!

You're blessed to live that close to Ideal like I am, Meyer. As hesitant as I am to admit it, I borderline covet those Ideal Orloffs, Yokohamas, and Golden Spangled Hamburgs.

Your assumptions are correct in that Piranha and his brother get into LOADS of mischief as partners in crime! We can't keep them off of us, to be frank. My boisterous 2-year-old brother is able to scoop them up and they just hang there like ragdolls for as long as he feels like holding them. They really are the best, sweetest chicks in the bunch, and would be great for handling by strangers who want to learn about chickens. A friend (whom our babies had never met before) came yesterday to pick up some chicks we babysat for a couple weeks, and she kept having to remove Piranha from her arm.

Another plus, they're seriously eye-catching as adults! I apologize, I was the one who wrote too long a message.

~Alex

 

[CuttingHorse]

On the age question, they don't go 50 years, but certainly longer than most chickens. Most breeds have been selected for production traits, and a lot on color, diminished size, or some other odd trait. Those selections are sometimes antagonistic to longevity. Most of the game breeds have historically been selected for their physical fitness.. It is not uncommon to see game hens still laying eggs and raising chicks well after ten years, nor is it uncommon to see individuals approach twenty years of age, with good care.

Because of their tight feathers, oriental games are less cold tolerant than other birds. They need a roosting area that blocks wind on three sides and prevents snow or rain from falling directly on the bird. Individuals that aren't good about covering their toes while perching, will not do well in extreme cold, while others will do fine. Their tight fitting comb and lack of wattles make it easy for them to get their entire head under a wing. If you want to take pity on them in the winter, you can bed them down in a large ventilated box in the basement or garage, or just bring them inside. These birds seem to respond very well to boundary training, so you could keep them off the carpet. Several people that I have heard from keep a big oriental game  in their house, their personality makes them a very entertaining pet. Usually it is the males, the females can be a little less touchy feely when they start looking for a place to lay.

Wow, that's amazing! I never knew a chicken could live past ten years, much less twenty! Once I get my current flock established I may look into getting some of these, they sound like really neat birds.

They sound really intelligent, how would you go about teaching them boundaries? I'm just now learning that it is in fact possible to teach chickens "tricks", I never realized they are so trainable!

I don't mind a bit!  You're blessed to live that close to Ideal like I am, Meyer. As hesitant as I am to admit it, I borderline covet those Ideal Orloffs, Yokohamas, and Golden Spangled Hamburgs.
Your assumptions are correct in that Piranha and his brother get into LOADS of mischief as partners in crime! We can't keep them off of us, to be frank. My boisterous 2-year-old brother is able to scoop them up and they just hang there like ragdolls for as long as he feels like holding them. They really are the best, sweetest chicks in the bunch, and would be great for handling by strangers who want to learn about chickens. A friend (whom our babies had never met before) came yesterday to pick up some chicks we babysat for a couple weeks, and she kept having to remove Piranha from her arm.  Another plus, they're seriously eye-catching as adults! I apologize, I was the one who wrote too long a message.

~Alex

I think you've convinced me. My feed store will be able to get some Mille Fleurs, along with some Jersey Giants. They'll be here Thursday.

Has there been any special handling you've been doing with your Fleurs to get them so friendly? I've been trying to handle my chicks everyday along with talking to them and sitting next to the brooder as often as possible, and it seems to help, but there's still some that are a little wild. Most notably the RIRs and the White Rocks, who are little spitfires.

Another question(sorry! I'm full of them), I bought my laying hens last Thursday from my feed store, and they're all getting along well. They're fairly close in age, though some are older than others. The previously mentioned White Rocks are the oldest, which is probably why they're so full of it. I'm not sure of their exact age, but their wings are almost fully feathered and they're just starting to get tail feathers. Would I have an issue incorporating the Fleurs and Giants into the flock? I tried googling it, but it only came up with bringing chicks into much older, established flocks.

Thanks y'all for your help!

 

[Alexandra33]

I think you've convinced me.

My feed store will be able to get some Mille Fleurs, along with some Jersey Giants. They'll be here Thursday.

Has there been any special handling you've been doing with your Fleurs to get them so friendly? I've been trying to handle my chicks everyday along with talking to them and sitting next to the brooder as often as possible, and it seems to help, but there's still some that are a little wild. Most notably the RIRs and the White Rocks, who are little spitfires.

Another question(sorry! I'm full of them), I bought my laying hens last Thursday from my feed store, and they're all getting along well. They're fairly close in age, though some are older than others. The previously mentioned White Rocks are the oldest, which is probably why they're so full of it. I'm not sure of their exact age, but their wings are almost fully feathered and they're just starting to get tail feathers. Would I have an issue incorporating the Fleurs and Giants into the flock? I tried googling it, but it only came up with bringing chicks into much older, established flocks.

Thanks y'all for your help!

GREAT choice!

Mine are getting friendlier by the day, so much so that I have the feeling that they'll be trying to come in the house.

How many did you get?

Honestly, my Milles are just naturally that way. I haven't done anything different in relation to the other 21 chicks, who are also very sweet. Just try to spend lots of time with your babies, talk to them, hand feed, put them on a towel in your lap for a while, so they get used to seeing you on that level; that's my advice!

You could try putting them in with the older ones, and if it doesn't work out, the worst case scenario is to put them in a separate brooder. I have chicks together who range in age from 3 weeks to 5 weeks, and everyone gets along beautifully.

Sorry for the late reply! This stupid computer has been the pits to get on BYC from.

~Alex

 

[CuttingHorse]

GREAT choice!  Mine are getting friendlier by the day, so much so that I have the feeling that they'll be trying to come in the house.  How many did you get?

Honestly, my Milles are just naturally that way. I haven't done anything different in relation to the other 21 chicks, who are also very sweet. Just try to spend lots of time with your babies, talk to them, hand feed, put them on a towel in your lap for a while, so they get used to seeing you on that level; that's my advice!

You could try putting them in with the older ones, and if it doesn't work out, the worst case scenario is to put them in a separate brooder. I have chicks together who range in age from 3 weeks to 5 weeks, and everyone gets along beautifully.

Sorry for the late reply! This stupid computer has been the pits to get on BYC from.

~Alex

I got two, picked them up this morning! I think they're going to be trouble, both of them are fearless! The Giants are huddled together completely out of their element, and the Fleurs are wreaking havoc on everything in the brooder. I have a trough feeder, and they will perch on the side while eating, then stick their heads farther in and pop themselves into the feeder. They crawl around inside for a few seconds, completely calm, then they pop out in the other side. Now I need to figure out how to bantam proof the feeder.

I will be sure to do that, thanks! I've started hand feeding the entire flock, and it definitely seems to be helping.

I was worried about the RIRs and the White Rocks picking on them because they're so much bigger, but they haven't bothered them. I think they're a little put off by these tiny chicks that act ten feet tall.

I'll try to get some pictures of them when I get home!