Chicken Buyers Remorse

[TJAnonymous]

I believe that the strain/breeder might have a lot to do with these issues.

My Orpingtons came from my local feed store and from McMurray Hatchery

My Blue Andalusians came from McMurray Hatchery

 

[MysteryChicken]

White Leghorns.

Not a huge fan of big floppy combs, & wattles. I also think white birds look more dirty. I'm also not a huge fan of high Production birds, since they have a higher risk of reproductive issues.

 

[Parront]

My Orpingtons came from my local feed store and from McMurray Hatchery

My Blue Andalusians came from McMurray Hatchery

My original birds in the 80's came from Murray McMurray. I did like them, I just liked the number of eggs laid by the Brown Leghorns more!

 

[NNYchick]

I don’t have remorse, but my silkies can get on my nerves. They are SO broody and don’t break. Their crest and foot feathers are a pain in the winter. And predator bait, I can’t leave them out with out watchful eye because even if the rooster sounds the alarm they just stand there they do everything at their pace. They do come to you if you have treats but really don’t particularly like attention, they are easy to catch and sit with you when you hold them but don’t seek it out. Impossible to sex till maturity.
I wanted to try a different breed I wanted 1) friendly, 2) easy to sex young 3) small comb and clean legged 4 ) bantam. So last spring I hatched bantam wheaten Ameraucana from a breeder. I’m surprised so many say they are flighty in this post. Mine have been just the opposite maybe different lines. But mine seek us out when I come home from work they come to the back garage door, if we walk in the back yard they come running from the bushes to see and hang out with us. Wheaten / Wheaten I could sex at about 6 weeks. They are young but my pullets are giving me an egg a day. They hang out in the brush and tree line I’ve seen them fly about 50 feet so pretty sure they could get up in the trees away from predator if they had too. I was worried they had so much free range time that they wouldn’t handle winter confinement well but they took it in stride, no bullying or feather picking-But they do have 40FT x 8FT covered space between coop and run. So far they have checked all the boxes I wanted in a breed.

 

[Feath3rDust3r]

I will never have leghorns, or anything production again. Leghorns are so flighty and they make the whole flock ansty. When I rehomed them everyone else calmed down and became friendly. All the production hens I've had have been mean.

I love EEs and Orpingtons. Friendly and smart.

 

[Karen K]

I don't think I'll get another light Brahma (or any other Brahma). I love my 3 Brahmas, but I love my 2 Blue Australorps more and even though the Brahmas are supposed to get along with other chicken breeds, they kind of bully my gentle Australorps. They are reliable layers, and they are super friendly to me and come when I call and go out gardening with me. They get to free-range during the day, and when they think I should be outside, they will come to the back door and peck at it till I come see what's up. Percy, the rooster, will actually come to the back door and crow for me to come out. But I want more congenial birds with the other chickens. Also, they aren't even a year yet and I know I wanted large so the cats would leave them alone, but they are huge, and they aren't even full-grown! They are definitely bigger than my cats. But bigger also means huge chicken poop! I am getting 2 more blue Australorps and 2 Barnevelders in April. I'm hoping the mild mannered Barnies and Australorps will make their own gentle flock. Also, after it rains, with their feathery feet, they get very muddy as they go free-ranging in the yard. Their feet never look clean! Still, I don't intend to get rid of my Brahmas, I just won't get this breed again.

 

[StephanieB1220]

I feel exactly the same way about my Orpingtons.

And I love my orpington!! She is such a sweet bird and just wants to be held and loved....when my rooster let's her come to me lol. She is also a pet and I know that might make a difference.

 

[Byrd gal]

I love my RIRs my Plymouth rocks and my black sex links only one of my blacks has a diva attitude. They lay every day even in 3 degree weather and are very friendly they may be plain but they make me happy.

 

[ScratchNbawk]

And I love my orpington!! She is such a sweet bird and just wants to be held and loved....when my rooster let's her come to me lol. She is also a pet and I know that might make a difference.

I realize I’m not in the majority regarding my feelings toward Orpingtons . . . Because most people say they’re sooooo great
So . . . I believe you . . . you (and you alone) have the sweetest, most fluffiest Orpington that ever lived.

 

[Pghelp]

This has been interesting reading about everyone's problem birds. For me, I wouldn't get RIR or Barred Rock again. The birds I've had tended to be bullies and both the BR had health issues. Maybe luck of the draw? I ordered an assortment from one of the hatcheries and have learned a lot raising this pot luck bunch from chicks. I have a Sapphire Gem who is a faithful layer of beautiful huge eggs, but she is s nervous nellie who is the bottom of the pecking order and wants to peck me! There's an Orpington who didn't lay until 40 weeks, a Silver Lakenvelder bantam who has a delightful personality but randomly deposits eggs wherever, a Splash Andalusian, and an EE mutt. The rest of the assortment were 4 leghorns I shared with our daughter who wanted eggs, not pets. Next time around I'm trying Marans and Americauna or Easter Eggers. I've learned that I love the heritage breeds but they come with their own quirks. Doesn't matter, I just love my chickens!