Choosing a breed to specialize in... Help!

[NancyDz]

Java's would be great, you would have to get on a waiting list for eggs or chicks from a breeder.

I'm partial to Australorp, very heat tolerant. I just saw someone post about Blue Austraorp, which I'd never seen. i'd love to get some of those.

I also love my Turkens, I have blue and splash from JMSHappycowboy on here and they are BEAUTIFUL birds, he's actually selling some of his stock right now on here... also some bantam orps.


Good luck deciding


Nancy

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Here are some of the breeds I have -

Faverolle. If you want a pet bird, I reccomend them! My girl is beautitul and sweet. Her eggs are medium. She lays religiously, so far. And loves to talk.

Sussex. My girl is sweet, and quite talkative. Also very active, a great forager! Her eggs are medium. A great layer too, so far.

Australorp. My girl is quite nice, but not underfoot. She likes her space. Talkative, but not overly loud like my sussex. Lays EVERY DAY and lays XXXL eggs. Gorgeous girl.

Langshan. Even though my girl is shy, she is VERY laid back and is SO GORGEOUS - all around eye candy. She isnt much for laying, so far....but I think she is laying somewere besides laying boxes, and she is young.


I've heard great things about the other breeds mentioned, too - buckeyes, delawares, javas.


The only real solid advice I can give you, is to pick a few breeds that you like as far as looks - then research them in depth (egg laying rate, broodiness, ect) and pick the one that best fits you!

Hope this helps.

 

[poultryhaven]

I suggest either Jersey Giants (Huge Eggs!) or Bantam or Standard Speckled Sussex cause their temperment. They are so sweet and docile!

 

[Kirtusjon]

I love my Speckled Sussex Roo, who is a great protector and 2 Pullets that as docile as a pet puppy.

 

[TK Poultry]

i vote heritage too i love them

I love New Hampshire Reds or Barred Rock

these arnt heritage or anything of the sort but Easter Eggers are great!

 

[RAREROO]

Quote:
I can send you some Speckled Sussex eggs if you are interested in them.

Here is one of my roos

And one of my hens

You may also want to do some experimenting with that red barred roo you have.

 

[Chickapooh23]

Quote:
Ditto!!! I went with them because of all the reason listed above. They are beautiful and very friendly. They are said to lay med size eggs but my two oldest ones were laying 2 oz eggs when they started into their first molt. I can not say what they will be afterwards but I am hoping they will be large to ex-large. I am planning to hatch a couple of broods next spring and just give them to my neighbor with chickens just to try to increase interest. When I talk to people about them most have never even heard of them. I would love to see a bunch of them at our county fair. If you like meat chickens they do dress out very nice. We had 3 extra this spring and had to cull them. Very nice birds.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Of all the breeds I have I love my Marans the best! The eggs are a beautiful rich brown w/ very dark brown freckles all over them. They are good layers and are also dual purpose. I have the clean-legged Marans and they are easy going too.

The other type of chicken I am dying to get is the Barnevelder chicken. They also lay a rich, deep brown colored egg and I've heard they are just the most friendly bird! I don't believe they are as well suited to the hot humidity you get in your area though. The Marans are much hardier in the humid heat.

 

[CARS]

I don't mean to hijack your thread but I too have been thinking of specializing too.

Are there any heritage breeds that lay large white eggs?
(90% of my customers get scared of the green shelled eggs

)

Must be docile birds with small combs (kids and sub zero temps)

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
I don't believe so -- white egg layers are generally flighty/nutty/ballsy and large-combed...

Rosecomb leghorns from a relatively calmer line might suit you, but I do not know as they count as 'heritage' as such. And I don't know whether you could get ones like that that also had high egg production (no idea).

Good luck, have fun,

Pat