Breeds Help :)

[SunshineSteedFarm]

Hello everyone

I am an owner of 11 chickens and I am hoping to add to my little flock in the spring. I was hoping maybe some of y'all can give some ideas for chicken breeds to own? There are too many to pick from!

Here is the wishlist...

~ Pretty Good Layers
~ Calm and Not Flighty

Thanks!

---
SSF

 

[bethgranberg]

I know what you mean all the breeds seem so interesting, I did a lot of reading and research before I got my birds. I really love my buff orpington hen she is so sweet and gentile and also my easter-egger hen is as well. Great with my kids as well.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Check this out- bookmark it
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

 

[fldiver97]

Quote:
That is a nice chart....I have 1 SF that's a bit of a clown, sweet and very social. The Wyandottes are also friendly, 1 of the 3 is a bit on the shy side but all social. Same with the EE. I've seen RIR, BO's and Barred Rocks that also seemed similar. I guess they are all pretty good layers. The larger birds generally are less flighty. None of mine seem to "get up" more than about 4 feet.... I'm sure you'll here a lot more from others that have more chickens/more experience

 

[cybercat]

What do you have now? This way we know what not to suggest.

 

[Settler'sDreamFarm]

Easter Eggers or Chanteclers!!!!

 

[newchickmom09]

My chicks are only going on 3 weeks old now but you can really tell how they are going to be. I would suggest Black Australorps, mine are so calm and don't mind being held at all, even with two toddlers holding them all day. Then next would be a Silver Laced Wyandotte, mine loves being with you and runs to be picked up. So I would suggest one of those two or both.

My Easter Eggers are flighty crazy little birds.

I also have a Golden Laced Wyandotte and she just likes doing her own thing.

 

[tcwk]

Easter Eggers / Amer/Araucanas.
Buff Orpingtons are Pretty Good Layers and affectionate.
Just throwing breeds out there.

 

[SunshineSteedFarm]

I have...
2 Naked Necks
1 Rhode Island Red
1 Barred Rock
5 Black Australorps
1 American Game
1 Black Copper Marans Rooster

Thank you for all of the suggestions! It helps me out tons!

 

[Pathfinders]

As most of the BYC folks know by now, I am a HUGE fan of the Buckeye for folks new to chickens. They are a heritage bird, and so have the old fashioned qualities that make them good for backyarders: cold and heat tolerant (the pea comb helps to prevent frostbite in winter); good foragers; friendly; the hens are good layers of medium brown eggs; extra cockerels dress out very well as meat birds; they're just an all-around awesome bird.

You can find out more about Buckeyes by joining the Yahoo Group I started devoted to them, which is the discussion group for the American Buckeye Poultry Club. See it here:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/AmericanBuckeyePoultryClub/

And see my website for some pics of Buckeyes and our other birds:

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/services

Good luck with your search, it's a lot of fun looking at all the different breeds, trying to decide.