Convince me what the best breed is!

[Swivelhip]

Could get brown leghorns to be less easy to spot if you think that would help.

Dealing with a fox, so till I get her its a sad day for the whole flock because I do not let them out.

 

[Silexian]

Chickens are either bred for production (eggs, meat or both) or to be ornamental. So personality and temperament can vary greatly, even within the same breed. So most of us are seeking the best chicken, not the best breed. So get whichever breeds catch your eye. Then like the rest of us. Hope that one of those chicks is a clown to make you laugh, will follow you around the yard curiously watching what you are doing or sit on the arm of your lawn chair making happy chicken noises while eating tidbits from your fingers. Like with people. Looks catch our eye. Character, personality and soul are what captures our hearts.

 

[The Kid Farmer]

Thanks you guys for these wonderful suggestions!

 

[Vicker]

Everyone has their favorites for different reasons. After years of trying different breeds, I know what works best for me. I prefer dual purpose breeds because I harvest them when they stop laying. My climate is super hot for most of the year, with a short and sometimes quite harsh winter. Giant breeds suffer too much in the heat. And no more feathered feet; they are too hard to keep clean. If you need broody hens to hatch eggs, Buff Orpingtons and Black Australorps are your gals. I got Black Australorps to prevent hawk attacks. They work great for that but I'm constantly having to deal with their broodiness, which reduces egg production. Want a large white egg every single day? Get Ideal 236. I love these quirky little white birds but I doubt I'll get more. Their combs are extra large and floppy--prone to frostbite. And being egg laying machines must be hard on their little bodies. My favorite breed of all time is Ameraucana, for their blue eggs and fluffy cheeks. I keep getting roosters when I buy pullets, though. Since I don't want more unintended roosters when I buy those "95% guaranteed pullets", I'm heavy into sex-linked breeds now. Reds, Barred Rocks and Dominiques.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Bantam Cochins. No discussion. Best ever. I know you said no bantams, but thats the best, and you cannot convince me otherwise.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I've got to add, I love my araucanas. They're kinda skittish as babies, but they're usually a bit more tolerant of me touching them than other birds their age

 

[cluckcluckduck089]

Brahmas are friendly and docile