Breed Poll - help me decide

[tnchickenut]

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Oh, that's a funny one to get up and read first thing in the morning after chores.

I figured I was wrong. I had little experience with any type of chickens until lately. I was in my 20s before I ever even heard of a "banty," but the ignorance continued." I was staying on a tiny farm with some people and in walked the lady one day and said that she had gotten a banty egg when out collecting eggs. She laid it on the counter like it was some sort of prize. I kept quiet, (what else should a confused person do?) but thought, why would a chicken lay a little egg like that? What's the point? And, get this, I thought it came out of a regular sized chicken. I had no idea it was from a smaller chicken. The thought crossed my mind, but I hadn't heard of miniature chickens before. So, yeah, the yolk's on me.

The advantages of showing bantams are clear and incontrovertible. So that defines your market to some extent, then, I would guess. But you probably already had that figured out.

Anyway, thanks for the info. And for being a good sport with my Bantam Delaware ignorance.

LOL. I get told alot that I'm funny... I don't try to be, it's just the way I say things. The problem on BYC especially is that my humor doesn't always come through to the reader so thanks for "hearing" that I wasn't being a jerk. lol

I'm half tempted to ditch standards and switch to all bantams, so your feedback is useful to me.

Funny how this poll at this moment (if i stick to 3 standard breeds) would suggest i get out of Delawares. Seeing as I hold a interim office and do the newsletter for the breed club... maybe I should keep them. LOL!!! So why is it Delawares are not more popular? That might take a whole new poll.

 

[lauralou]

I picked Barred Rocks. New Hampshire Reds would have been my second choice. All the choices are nice birds, I'm sure, but white birds just don't appeal to me.

 

[lauralou]

Oh yeah, forgot about the Barnevelders. Beautiful birds, but they don't have a good reputation for laying dark eggs here in the states. I have a problem with dark-egg laying breeds that don't lay dark eggs. Been there, done that.

 

[dsqard]

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I think part of your answer is in your statement as far as what breed you should pick. Sounds like your market is looking more for a standard size for the eggs and possibly for the meat. I understand from your other posts on this thread that you seem to favor the bantum size but if you are looking to sell your eggs and birds you have to look at your market and not what you prefer. I would see if you could do a true market analysis by looking into what is selling in your area instead of doing a poll on here. Please do not think I am criticizing you but trying to offer suggestions to you. What might sell well here in UT where I live, might not sell well where you live. Just some suggestions.

 

[kathyinmo]

Stacy,
I am not even gonna tell you what I voted. I feel your pain! It is such a tough choice. My Coronation Sussex are absolutely HUGE and majestic, as well as sweet mannered. I just can't give them up. My Delawares, New Hampshires, and Barred Rocks are pure enjoyment around here, too. Of course, I can reason and rationalize why I love ALL the breeds I have.....

No bantams here, cuz I just LOVE the BIG birds!

Wish I could help ya out, but I can't. Maybe you should just start all over ..... with Orps!

By the way, YES, I can eat any and all breeds. Not a problem here.

Good luck on your choice!

 

[racuda]

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[tnchickenut]

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I think part of your answer is in your statement as far as what breed you should pick. Sounds like your market is looking more for a standard size for the eggs and possibly for the meat. I understand from your other posts on this thread that you seem to favor the bantum size but if you are looking to sell your eggs and birds you have to look at your market and not what you prefer. I would see if you could do a true market analysis by looking into what is selling in your area instead of doing a poll on here. Please do not think I am criticizing you but trying to offer suggestions to you. What might sell well here in UT where I live, might not sell well where you live. Just some suggestions.

I hear you but the problem is that I ship hatching eggs accross the US MAINLY... but then I have culls from my own hatches. For example, I ship bantam white wyandottes weekly, but locally can't hardly give away the culls. I do not want to ship grown birds, period... that is my personal choice. So in a effort to find balance, I'm running this poll. And, no, this poll isn't my only attempt at information gathering. I keep a list at work with me and survey people without them knowing by just talking to them. Plus, it's good customer service to know your customers

 

[tnchickenut]

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Mine are Dutch imports and layer darker eggs. HOWEVER, Barnevelders here or there do not lay Marans #9 dark eggs. I think it's a problem with people's definition of "dark" sometimes. They are darker than your NH,BR, RIR type brown layers... but not Marans dark.

But I also understand what you are saying. My bantam Barnevelders lay much lighter eggs because they are American.

 

[tnchickenut]

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Kathy, you don't even want to get me started on all the good points of each! I used to love the big birds more than the bantams... until I had more than a few bantam breeds. So much easier and so much less fighting... less feed, less space. It's nice to not have to fill a feeder for a few days. lol.

But yeah, I HOPE I know your choice. LOL! I won't go into all the reasons they are on this list, though... that is a whole other email, not post.

 

[1muttsfan]

Love my big delawares, they lay lots of big brown eggs, are friendly, and the boys get up to good eating size - great dual-purpose birds. Although I also have speckled sussex (super friendly eye candy) and ameracaunas and EEs for their numerous large pretty eggs. And bantam cochins cause they are sooo cute.