Breed suggestions

[Roo5]

Based on the title you probably get the idea,but I have raised chickens before and actually had an account on here.But,unfourtantly we moved and had to get rid of them,but we’re moving back to our original house now and wanna start where we left off.Im not new to them and actually know a handful about them,but I just wanted suggestions and to hear from other people on what breeds we should get or that you guys have already kept.We have raised probably over 20+ chickens,along with ducks and geese.We plan on getting twelve all pets,but probably will need eggs too.We have 11 hens and definitely a rooster.I was thinking 6 layers and probably six ornamental type breeds To give my little brother something to ohh and aww over.Do miss our last birds because they happened to ahve the best personality’s,escpecially our roosters,it’s hard to raise a rooster To meet your standards because if your too nice they take advantage and if your too dominant,their scared,we manged to have great pet roosters with no issues what so ever,even with small children the boys made better companions then the girls.

But this is purposely for breeds suggestion.These will be free ranged birds.
Thanks

 

[sylviethecochin]

What's your preferred aesthetic (straight comb, clean legs, colour preference, body shape)? What's your climate?

Personally, for pure laying capability, I like Leghorns (or the rather less flighty and longer-laying alternative, California Whites) and Rhode Island Reds. NOT production reds.

Australorps are good, if aloof chickens. Very calm, aren't bullies but won't take it either. Many people are fans of Barred Rocks. Both are very, very good laying breeds.

If you get an Easter egger ("Americana") or two, it'll add some eye candy to your eggbasket, though they're only good layers, not great, and are rather flighty.

I would avoid production sexlinks (gold comets, golden buffs, black stars, red stars, etc.) Most of them tend towards huge amounts of reproductive disorders after about two years of age, though they're very good layers of very large eggs before that time.

For eye candy, I like bantams, but that's probably not an option for your setup. Many people like Phoenixes or Polish chickens, but polishes are crested and other birds will often pick on them. Wyandottes are fairly good layers and very handsome, in my opinion. Game birds of most types, especially the male sex, are great hardy birds and likely to raise chicks for you.

 

[Roo5]

Thansk for the suggestion,you reminded me of breeds that I once wanted but never got.Raised Cochin bantams,and majority of what you mentioned.Will probably end up with a polish,never had them nor phoenixes.Ik all about sexlinks,I had a couple all had egg issues,and yet had the most calm personality’s.