Bielfelder, or Wyandotte?

[Emily_loveschickens]

Should I get a Wyandotte or bielefelder?
I’ve heard that bielefelders are prone to sickness and eat a lot. Also how do you like sapphire gems? I would consider it, but we don’t have any heritage beeds and I want to get a heritage breed. Thanks

 

[FattySmough]

I've never had any Wyandottes or Bielefelders, but I do have a Sapphire Gem hen. She is very sweet and healthy and lays plenty of good eggs, I would recommend the breed if you decide to get a non-heritage bird.

 

[abpatchy]

I can agree with that. My Bielefelder were always first when it came to eating. They did eat quite a bit. You would need to feed them a reduced amount daily to make sure that they don't get fat. And yes, mine did get sick more than my Sulmtaler chickens but it's not like they were sick all the time. But they were sweet and fresh and had really nice personality. They did lay a nice large egg and lots of them.
I can't help you with Wyandottes.

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

I really want salmon favorelles but people say they don’t stand up for themselves

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

I can agree with that. My Bielefelder were always first when it came to eating. They did eat quite a bit. You would need to feed them a reduced amount daily to make sure that they don't get fat. And yes, mine did get sick more than my Sulmtaler chickens but it's not like they were sick all the time. But they were sweet and fresh and had really nice personality. They did lay a nice large egg and lots of them.
I can't help you with Wyandottes.

Ok do you have any experience with salmon favorelles

 

[abpatchy]

Ok do you have any experience with salmon favorelles

A friend of mine is breeding them in salmon and white. They are cute but they too like to eat and I find them very noisy.

 

[Amer]

Ok do you have any experience with salmon favorelles

Cute, but very stupid.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

My two Wyandottes are both very curious and independent. I don't "love" then, but I don't hate them either. They're not as friendly as some of my others, but they're not mean either. My Faverolles I thought I was going to love, but I am honestly am starting to hate them. My Faverolle rooster chases the hens and started attacking my kids and husband so to the pot he goes. My Faverolle hen is not shy and has no problems standing up for herself, but she has been constantly broody and she is absolutely terrible at it. I break her and she's broody again. She sits the nest no problem besides the fact that she will randomly switch to another nest seemingly weekly and has yet to successfully hatch anything. When she gets up to eat and drink she also will randomly jump into the other nests and throw the eggs onto the floor. She doesn't eat them or anything just kicks them to the floor seemingly to enjoy watching them break. I'm debating about butchering her as well she has broken dozens of perfectly good eggs As for the Biefelder I have never had any so I can't speak for them.

 

[BlueBaby]

I like my Bielefelder's. Yes, they will eat more then some of the other breed's, but they are also a bigger bird. It's pretty hot over here and I have the mister's on for my flock. They don't mind being down by where the mister's are at.

 

[Poodlemum]

I have all the breeds mentioned and there’s not really a “best.” My Bielefelders are also only 5 months lol. The Wyandottes are robust, bossy, but friendly to people. Never been sick or anything at all. Not outstanding layers. They haven’t died in the heat, but aren’t super comfortable. My Columbians have been constantly broody this year The Bielefelders seem to be handling the heat better and I don’t notice they eat an exorbitant amount. We have 50+ birds and go through a ton of feed, but they forage all day and aren’t obsessed with the feeder when I put it out. Not cuddly, but enjoy our company and tolerate handling well. Not laying yet at 5 months, but getting close. The Salmon Faverolles are adorable and haven’t been picked on yet, but they’re incredibly shy. Not a fan of me at all! They’re only 3 months, so we’ll see how it goes