Best chickens, in terms of health?

[Chikenshiken]

After getting my first chickens at 16 I didn’t know how bad later year health problems were. I’m 19 now and my chickens are old and having issues because of their breed (reproductive issues) and it hurts to see them this way and I never want to go through this again honestly

When I decide to buy more chicks I want to have a breed that isn’t your typical high production layer to avoid health issues, stuff like that. What’s the best chicken breeds you guys suggest in terms of long-term health and longevity?

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

There are many that arent high production breeds, but they can still get reproductive issues. And as each hen ages more problems can arise.
Orpingtons, Brahmas, faverolles, standard cochins, BCM(black or blue marans), wyandottes. Russian Orloffs arent a very common breed but i just hatched some and the breeder says hers lay about 95 eggs per year per hen.
Bantams generally lay less than normal sized hens so depending on if you want bantams there is bantam cochins, silkies, old english game bantams, polish and many others.

 

[Chikenshiken]

There are many that arent high production breeds, but they can still get reproductive issues. And as each hen ages more problems can arise.
Orpingtons, Brahmas, faverolles, standard cochins, BCM(black or blue marans), wyandottes. Russian Orloffs arent a very common breed but i just hatched some and the breeder says hers lay about 95 eggs per year per hen.
Bantams generally lay less than normal sized hens so depending on if you want bantams there is bantam cochins, silkies, old english game bantams, polish and many others.

I heard reproductive issues are just higher in big productive breeds. But are reproductive issues just random? I’m still a little confused how it works, I know that when a chicken stops laying eggs usually high production the egg yolk builds up in their system and causes abdominal bloating. Will all chickens eventually get this? Sorry to ask so many questions I’m still learning how this all works

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

I heard reproductive issues are just higher in big productive breeds. But are reproductive issues just random? I’m still a little confused how it works, I know that when a chicken stops laying eggs usually high production the egg yolk builds up in their system and causes abdominal bloating. Will all chickens eventually get this? Sorry to ask so many questions I’m still learning how this all works

It is more common in high production breeds. But it can happen in any chickens. There are different reproductive problems that each can cause something different
I dont think its normal that the egg yolk builds up in chickens and causes bloating though.

 

[Tookie]

First thing I would consider is egg laying. Since, as you know, higher production breeds get more health issues since they lay so so many eggs.
Second thing is, smaller breeds should live longer, and they lay less eggs too. Those are called bantams.
Third thing, it probably would be good to pick breeds that suit your climate and can handle it well. For example, if you pick a larger breed that has feathered legs and smaller combs and wattles (Brahmas are like this), and you live in a hotter climate, they won't do as well and that may shorten their life spans since they could wear themselves out faster.

 

[Tookie]

I heard reproductive issues are just higher in big productive breeds.

That is true. It is much more common in high production breeds such as Leghorns because they lay so many eggs.

But are reproductive issues just random?

They aren't quite random, but like I said higher production breeds are more prone to it. All the eggs they lay wear them out so they get those issues.

I’m still a little confused how it works, I know that when a chicken stops laying eggs usually high production the egg yolk builds up in their system and causes abdominal bloating. Will all chickens eventually get this?

Yes, a lot of the time when a high production stops laying they'll get a reproductive issue. They are several different types of reproduction issues. The one you're talking about is called Egg Yolk Peritonitis, that's when the egg builds up in the abdomen and causes the bloating.
All chickens will not eventually get this, if they stop laying it doesn't always mean they'll get it. Usually its mostly the high production breeds that will get it. Many years ago I got 3 ISA Browns and 3 Leghorns, 5/6 got reproductive issues and passed. The other one got killed by a dog.

Sorry to ask so many questions I’m still learning how this all works

No worries! We've all been there! It takes time to understand all this, and it can be tough to remember.