Best Chicken

[TillinWithMyPeeps]

ameraucana's are different than Easter Eggers

Hmm, I kind of thought they were, but, I have also heard that Easter Eggers are falsely sold as Ameraucanas.

I have considered the Black Sex Link, But I like the Red color better.

When I do get them, I will probably get 3 or 4 different breeds, rather than 3 or 4 of the same.

I thought you guys were going to make this easier, but now there are just more for me to consider.

I would still love to hear more about these from more people!​

 

[drom]

Quote:
When I do get them, I will probably get 3 or 4 different breeds, rather than 3 or 4 of the same.

This is exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted a bird that laid each egg color; white, green and brown. All I wanted was 3 pullets.

But then I found out about chocolate eggers...heehee
So now I have 9 birds and three of them are baby roosters

 

[TillinWithMyPeeps]

So, any advice on them?

 

[mistylady]

We got Dominiques because they have a rose comb and that is hardier in the cold.

http://www.mypetchicken.com/Day_Old_Baby_Chicks-Dominiques-P237.aspx Dominiques are considered a "heritage" breed of chicken in that they've been around for hundreds of years and are now critically endangered. Some people can't tell the difference between a Dominique and a Barred Rock, but the trained eye will notice that Dominques have a rose comb versus the Barred Rock's single comb. Dominques are a wonderfully cold-hardy dual-purpose bird, and hens make very caring, nurturing mothers.

Edited to add: you can make pets out of them really easily too!

 

[drom]

Quote:
On the Marans? Love um. I have the Black Copper variety and the temperament is wonderful. Mine are just about 6 weeks.
The breed lays very, very dark brown eggs, they are large birds and they are very popular.
The three most common varieties are the Cuckoo, the Black Copper and the Wheaten but there are others as well.
It is best to get Marans from the private breeders rather than the hatcheries and there are quite a few breeders. Usually they want to sell eggs for hatching, but if you contact them they often have started stock that you can buy. I could have done that, but I went ahead and just bought the little tiny chicks.

 

[drom]

Oh-I'm just going to add one more thing here

Some people on this site say that if you are in an area that has very severe winters, it is best to go with a breed that doesn't have a comb or has a really small one. I wouldn't know much about that, but there are many people on this site who do.


cheers

 

[Hen Daddy]

We have one Buff Orp pullet who is very friendly and not noisey at all. Expecting eggs from her very soon.

We have one Black Sex link and she is the one who follows me around the run and comes and sees what I am doing if I am modifying anything in the coop/run.

We also have a BR hen who is very laid back and quiet. Very mellow bird.

One you might want to add is the Wyandottes. I know some people here have said they didnt have good experiences with them but they are beautiful and lay pretty well too. Ours is a GLW and she is very talkative.

EEs are good too but the one we had was an escape risk so she had to go.

 

[MaranDude]

Rhode Island Red's are moderatley friendly and the best brown egg layers. New Hapshire Reds I had for one year and they are as nice as the RIR's. The Ameracuanas have beautiful colors and eggs but are shy and tend to be drawn back. I haven't had Buff Orpingtons but from research I have read that they tend to be all of the points you asked for. Great egg laying, rather cute, and are one of the most friendly breeds.

 

[cherrychicken]

Quote:
ok i just did some research and i found out all this info:
Buff Orp: Eggs: good layer Friendly:very docile* Hardy: pretty hardy Loud: regular amount of noise

Buckeye: Eggs: good layer Friendly: generally calm Hardy: very hardy Loud: regular amount of noise

Red Sex link: Eggs: very good layer Friendly: generally docile Hardy: hardy Loud: regular amount of noise

Faverolle: Eggs: reasonable layer Friendly: calm and docile* Hardy: hardy Loud: quiet

New Hampshire: Eggs: good layer Friendly: friendly docile rarely aggressive Hardy: generally hardy Loud:regular amount of noise

RIR: Eggs: very good layer Friendly: generally docile and clam Hardy: hardy Loud: regular amount of noise


* these breeds are so friendly that sometimes they get picked on by other birds of a different breed, so they may not be ideally suited in a mixed flock

hope this help,

jenny

 

[TillinWithMyPeeps]

OK, I think I have made up my mind. The hatchery got back to me, and said that all the breeds listed would be in when I was planning on getting them. I think I will get the following:

1 Buff Orpington
1 Ameraucana
1 Faverolle
(And, if I get 4,)
1 Buckeye


Thanks for all of your help! Any more advice is certainly appreciated also!