Cold hardy AND broody choices?

[faro]

We have a few of each. Are they popular breeds? We got them at at Swap Meet

 

[Ron56]

This is strange. Until this evening I had not even heard of the Bielefelder chicken and now in less than two hours I have heard of it twice,must be a meaning in that. So please contact me so that I may learn more and how much do your chicks go for? Thanks

 

[faro]

Mine are lavenvelders. They are from Germany, I think. They are beautiful and feisty. We bought three adults at a swap meet. I think they are fairly rare.

 

[Richie]

Wyandottes, because of the flat rose comb, are probably the best choice for extreme cold. I personally think that buff wyandottes are really beautiful birds, though not the easiest to find. I have seen Wyandotte roosters that were human aggressive, but you can find that in any of the breeds you mention. New Hampshires are pretty teriffic too. Any of those breeds would probably fill your needs. I have had broody hens in most of them and they are all good layers. Good luck with whichever breed you choose; chickens are great and it is so nice to see the comeback of so many breeds that, due to genetic engineering and factory farming, had almost disappeared.

 

[lazy gardener]

Go to Henderson's chicken breeds chart. Not an exhaustive list, but a great place to start. Criteria for winter hardy (IMO) include: Pea, rose, walnut, or cushion comb, non-feathered feet. After you look at the options with those characteristics, you can then look at productivity, temperament, (will the birds be confined? Will they be allowed lots of free range? If you allow free range, it's a good idea to choose birds that blend into the environment and are more active. (It's said that Mediterranean birds are a bit more flighty and aggressive than the other breeds.) You might want to avoid them for your first flock. When planning your coop and run, be aware that the 4 s.f. inside and 10 s.f. outside and 10 linear inches of perch, and 1 nest box/4 birds are minimum numbers. Crowded birds are aggressive and much more prone to behavior issues.

 

[Turk Raphael]

This is funny! Everyone thinks their choice is best...including me.!

 

[lazy gardener]

We are an opinionated lot, aren't we????

 

[Tnic]

Thanks gang!

And thanks to LG for steering me to the Maine page. I'm getting some eddikashun thar.

Seems there's a few breeders in "Vacation Land" and breeds on my short list that will work for me are available locally. I was thrilled to learn of a Buckeye breeder too. They weren't on my list because I didn't think I'd find any, but being a native from the Buckeye State I just GOTTA have a few now.

Seriously leaning toward Doms and Buff Orps as my main flock and a few Bucks when I get things situated. My plan involves a generous coop and run and maybe even some solar powered electro-net to give them variety. The cockerels would certainly work out in the net for salad bar freezer camp attendees. Some geese and maybe a few guineas for security and I think we'd be ok.

I want to maintain 20-30 hens as my compost factory. The naturally propagated and mama hen raised offspring would be used to refresh the flocks and the spares would go to anyone looking to start their own flocks and of course cockerels are food. So heavy, medium layer breeds will work out just fine for me. Excess eggs, etc. will be sold at the farm stand and/or donated to the local food bank. I'm more interested in self-sufficiency and sustainment than cost recovery, but the goal is to not feed any grain at all except for the chick starter and I'll be doing my research on how to eliminate THAT store bought as well.

Paul Gautschi (Back to Eden Gardening) and that gent at Vermont Compost (composter chickens) are new heroes of mine.

 

[lazy gardener]

Ok, here's some more research for you: Bocking #4 Comfrey (developed in Russia). Also, check out #14. Siberian Pea Shrubs. Fodder made from sprouts.

 

[mccormicks chicks]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here you go,
In my opinion there is no match for a cold hardy chicken to the Brahma. They are excellent foragers and can survive extreme winters without any heat source. And do not even get me started on broodiness, One of these girls full grown can cover a nest with at least 2 dozen eggs under her fluffy butt. These pictures were taken during and after a 3 foot blizzard in Northern Virginia!