Chicken Breed Recommendations

[Wackums]

I just would like to know peoples personal preferences about different preferences for chickens. I just want to know what breeds you all would get for, and not limited to; Egg production, brooding, protecting the flock (yes I know breeds are a reliable defense), and friendliness. I don't see myself eating my chickens anytime soon. I would also prefer them to be larger chickens. I've had good experiences with orpingtons and jersey giants, and hear good things about austrolorps, golden comets, and bard rocks/dominques

 

[so lucky]

Some of the birds like golden comets, production reds, and others are bred mainly for high egg production for a few years, but they are said to fizzle out pretty soon, and tend to have health problems related to egg laying as they age. Some people say these birds don't have personality, but that is pretty subjective. Also, these types don't usually go broody, as they are bred for production, not reproduction, you could say.
To check out some of the older, heritage, dual purpose breeds, one good source I have found is Henderson's chicken guide, found by googling.

 

[JadeFarms]

Definitely booted bantams, I find most of my Mille fleur barbu duccle bantams I’ve had are my favorite! Also, they do not lay as soon sadly. New Hampshire reds, and black australorps are good egg layers and go broody sometimes. I’m not much on common breeds, but Orpingtons and domoniques are nice too.

 

[sunrise.superman]

I have Buff Orps, Black Jersey Giants, Dominique, Barred Rock, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Mille Fleur d'Uccle, Mottled Cochin, Olive Egger, and 3 young Welsummers I just added in May. My BJG lay consistently, double yolks, and 3 eggs or so a week through winter. I do want to add a few more BJGs next round of younguns. My BOs are consistent as is the GLW and OE. The Dom and BR are consistent but not as many per week. The bantam d'Uccle and Cochin average 4 eggs a week or so. I'm waiting to see on the Welsummers. Hoping they will produce through winter.

My BOs and the d'Uccle and Cochin are the broody ones. One BO and the Cochin are haaaarrrrd to break. The others seem to snap out of it with a day in the dog crate or removing from the nest a few times a day.

GLW and cochin will crawl in your lap. The BOs have tamed down to be friendly (got them as adults). The others hang around for tidbits and treats and come close but prefer to do their own thing.

 

[Mrs. K]

I like a mixed flock. I am going to tell you, a couple of times, I thought, oh, this the the breed for me, I think I will go in this direction... and truthfully, the breed I am sure I will like so much... I often times don't.

My advice, is try several breeds. It is fun to be able to instantly tell them apart.

MRs K

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm a fan of mixed flocks, too, (mixed flocks provide different personalities and eye candy!) but I would like to give a shout out to Barred Plymouth Rocks, Buff Orpingtons, and Brahmas. BPR and BO are known to be friendly and consistent layers. Based on your criteria, I'd suggest getting at least one Brahma. Brahmas are very big, friendly, quiet, and hardy. Mine lays beautiful brown eggs almost daily. Her eggs are perfect. Seriously. I have only one, but my friend has a whole flock of them, and we both just adore the breed.

 

[Roo5]

Easter Eggers.Their a friendly, consistent egg layer and fast maturing bird.I have 2, 3 month old cockerels and their already doing flock defense things.I also own a pullet.Their Great birds for free range as they are quick on their feet.
I’ve also found Orpigotns to be friendly.
Black sex links are also a great option.

 

[JadeFarms]

Ayam cemani- Don’t lay a lot, but they are so nice.

Mixed breed- Usually, my mixed always get some deformity, like a golden comet roo with a hens color. But, I also have a bantam mix that is sweeter than any chicken I have). Egg production depends, they usually live less though.

Gamefowl- Big, beautiful, and smart (I just rescued one, and he was wild for three years, now he is one of my nicest chickens) okay egg production.

Rhode Island Red- Worst one I have, am never getting again, but good egg production.

New Hampshire Red- They are pretty nice, and lay eggs a lot, my roosters are better though.

Plymouth rocks- They are nice, good egg layers.

Polish- They are one of the sweetest because they can’t hardly see, lol, they lay eggs not as much as most, and they hardly ever go broody.

 

[Shadrach]

I think you may be better off trying to pick a breed that is likely to thrive in the conditions you intend to keep them in rather than pick a bunch and hope.
If you are going to keep them confined in a run, then some breeds are better suited to that than others.
Other factors might be climate, who is going to handle them, the nature of their environment (if they are free range then for example bantams and more flighty breeds are likely to roost in other places bar where you want them to) the types of predators you have etc etc.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You might try these breed selectors. See if you can find any that meet your goals.

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chick_selector.html

I personally agree with Mrs. K. I don't know how many you are looking to get but get different ones and see what you like best. We all ave our personal preferences. You should be selecting your breeds based on your personal preferences, not mine. You do not specifically rule our eventually eating your chickens. Try different ones and eat your "mistakes".

We all have our favorites and we will have different favorites and different experiences. Each chicken has its own personality, that can be stronger than breed characteristics, especially if you only have a few. Your experiences with Buff Orps may be totally different from mine, especially if we only have one or two.

I think the flock they come from has an influence also. Different people use different criteria when selecting which birds get to breed. You can get different breed tendencies from different flocks of Buff Orp. If you find one you like, get replacements from that source.

You are not going to get guarantees of how any chicken if any breed will behave but breeds do have general tendencies. The best you can do is go by breed tendencies. You are more likely to get what you want that way.

Good luck!