Choosing a breed to specialize in... Help!

[Mojo Chick'n]

Yesterday I went to check out my neighbor's chickens, finally (she lives a couple miles down the road, they also have property across from me where they keep cows)

This was the first time I had ever seen a speckled sussex in person and they were so beautiful!!!

I had the chance to get some chicks for free this previous spring but I passed on them - maybe next spring I'll have to try my hand at a few.... or ten

meri

 

[Julie_A]

 

[Pathfinders]

Here's the list of chickens that the ALBC defines as "Heritage":

http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#chickens

And here's more info on how "Heritage" is defined by the ALBC:

http://albc-usa.org/heritagechicken/index.html

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Those pics of the specklesd Sussex are beautiful!

 

[Pathfinders]

Here are a couple of new pics of our Buckeyes from this weekend:

This is Fat Boy-

Flock 1-

Flock 2-

 

[CARS]

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

That is what my past research has shown too. I was hoping that there is something out there that isn't in most of the catalogs.

My 1st year with my McMurry exotics (rarest of the rare collection) is similar to that of a flock of leghorns. They are beautiful birds but they are nuts. No mater how much space, how I divide them up, or how much feed and treats I give them they are wired, flighty, and just plain nuts.

Since white layers are out, I'll start combing the threads for a bird that is attractive, lays large brown eggs fairly consistently, small comb, and... geez I am asking alot

Thanks for the help Pat and thanks for the links Pathfinders!

 

[Chris09]

Definition of Heritage Chicken here


Chris

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

SUMATRAS! They handle heat & humidity excellent and keep right on laying through 90+ degrees! Plus, they are extremely smart, sweet and gorgeous! Plus, they lay white (or very close to it--tinted eggs). They have small, pea combs. We get -10 or colder and I've had ONE hen get some frost bite on her toes, but no frost bite on combs or anything...I LOVE them!

 

[speckledhen]

Below is the ALBC's list of Critically Endangered Chickens, however, when I prefer to go with truly American breeds personally, ones created in the U.S. like the Dels and Buckeyes.
Heritage may not necessarily mean highly endangered. Dominiques were the first American breed and they are not on the Critical list.

These are the highest on the list, considered Critical:

Andalusian

Aseel

Buckeye

Buttercup

Campine

Catalana

Chantecler

Crevecoeur

Delaware

Faverolle

Holland

Houdan

La Fleche

Malay

Nankin

Redcap

Russian Orloff

Spanish

Sumatra

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I thought California Grey's were somewhat endangered and lay white eggs? I could be wrong.