Dog with Chickens?
- Thread starter tarahtt
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- #12
~~Thanks everyone! Our dog stays inside almost all of the time anyway (Golden Retrievers love their people), and she is well trained. She sits, stays, rolls over, leave it (will leave a piece of meat on the floor or on her nose til I say "Get it". Brings my shoes, a drink, or anything I point to...But still I will be careful and keep either the chickens or the dog out of the back yard until I am with them.
I am loving BYC. Information overload! Can't wait for some hens...still not 100% sure which breeds. I want something pretty laid back that is a good egg layer, and pretty.I am leaning towards Wyondotte (Columbian or silver laced) and Ameraucanas (the blue eggs are just so tempting)
-Tarah
I am loving BYC. Information overload! Can't wait for some hens...still not 100% sure which breeds. I want something pretty laid back that is a good egg layer, and pretty.I am leaning towards Wyondotte (Columbian or silver laced) and Ameraucanas (the blue eggs are just so tempting)
-Tarah
Neither of those breeds are laid back.
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- #14
Thanks! The Black Australorps are really pretty! Dang near every breed I read about claims to be the best, most friendly hens around. Very confusing
Thanks! The Black Australorps are really pretty! Dang near every breed I read about claims to be the best, most friendly hens around. Very confusing
Yeah...I know. Every breed has their champions that refuse to hear anything bad about the breed. I'm not that way....if I have certain breeds over and over down through the years in my flocks, I tend to note the breed's overall temperament, laying, hardiness, work ethic and feed thrift. That's the info I believe..not what I read on a hatchery or blog site.
I've never had a nasty BA or NH. Another breed that has always been consistently flock worthy is the Plymouth White Rock~my personal all around fave~but many don't find a plain white chicken pretty, so I didn't suggest them, though they are one of the most beautiful breeds I've known.
The Silver Laced Wyandotte, on the other hand, has been consistently nasty, mediocre on laying and not feed thrifty. A person gets them because they are pretty and people give good report of them, but you have to try them for yourself to know for sure...now I know for sure.
Americaunas are nice enough and lay well, though not exceptionally, and they go broody a good bit, which is nice if you want it but not if you want eggs instead. I've only had few of these in my flocks but didn't find them remarkable enough to ask for another curtain call.
Sounds like you have a good start with your dog. My guess is that you will be able to introduce her to the day olds and she will learn that they aren't to be messed with.
Regarding breeds.
I second BeeKissed vote for the Black Australorps. I have 2 each of 6 breeds:
Ancona - nice enough to us, pretty good layers (white eggs) and nasty to the other birds. Would not get them again.
Black Australorp - Very calm birds. One is my best layer and she decided to moult 3 weeks ago!!!!
Partridge Chantecler - Pretty calm, don't bother the other birds. One has a 45% lay rate, average size 49g so not quite medium. But they have gone broody on me multiple times. No rooster, no fertilized eggs, no egg in the nest, but there they sit. Nice as they are, and pretty as they are, I wouldn't get them again since I do want eggs!
Cubalaya - Cuuuuute little birds and fairly friendly. About 2/3 the size of large fowl, not great layers, one 19%, the other 25% (the breed is 2-3 a week) and the eggs are peewee to small. But they are nice yard art and it is fun to watch them fly when then REALLY want to go somewhere. Will probably get more when these die (since my daughter likes them).
Easter Eggers - If you THINK you are getting Ameraucana and aren't getting them from a breeder, they are probably Easter Eggers. Many hatcheries think they are the same thing and THEY ARE NOT. I love my EEs. They are calm, don't bother the other birds. One has laid 43% (avg 57g though all above 60 since she started up after moult last week) the other 54%, my second best (avg 62g, 70g+ after moult, also started back up about a week ago). I WOULD GET THIS "BREED"!!!!! You have NO idea what they will look like when mature because there is no "breed" standard, thus one can argue they aren't actually a breed at all. Usually lay blue or green eggs (a bird lays only one color, I happened to get one of each) but sometimes a bird doesn't get the blue gene so brown or cream is likely.
Faverolles - mouthy. Clemence will you SHUT UP!!
Bruce
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- #17
Thank you! The black australorp is definitely on my list! In my searches I have noticed a lot of confusion over ameraucana vs. easter eggers. It seems many people don't know there is a difference. If I order one from a hatchery will I have a decent chance at getting an Ameraucana? I guess I will be ok with an easter egger though, especially if I get either blue or blue/green eggs. I noticed an order form for tractor supply co that has the black australorp, ameraucana, and silver laced Wyandotte. I just want 4 chickens, so I don't want to pay the $50+ for small orders from big companies. The barnevelder also caught my attention, but was not on the tractor supply co list, so I may go with 2 ameraucanas. If they aren't true ameraucanas I may have a better shot at colored eggs.So many options for selecting breeds and breeder, and hatcheries, and...
Thank you! The black australorp is definitely on my list! In my searches I have noticed a lot of confusion over ameraucana vs. easter eggers. It seems many people don't know there is a difference. If I order one from a hatchery will I have a decent chance at getting an Ameraucana? I guess I will be ok with an easter egger though, especially if I get either blue or blue/green eggs. I noticed an order form for tractor supply co that has the black australorp, ameraucana, and silver laced Wyandotte. I just want 4 chickens, so I don't want to pay the $50+ for small orders from big companies. The barnevelder also caught my attention, but was not on the tractor supply co list, so I may go with 2 ameraucanas. If they aren't true ameraucanas I may have a better shot at colored eggs.So many options for selecting breeds and breeder, and hatcheries, and...
There's another option. I don't know where you live but in most states there are poultry breeders who are working on developing breeds and keeping their original traits. Could be there would be breeders near you with the breeds you are wanting. There is a large thread on here about heritage breeding/breeders of large fowl and those folks can usually tell you who is breeding what in your state. Starting out with quality birds can mean all the difference sometimes.
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- #19
I have been scanning forums, but I really don't have time to read each individual post in hopes of finding people in my vicinity that happen to have the breeds I want, and are ok just selling one or two of each. It is early though. Is there by chance a thread or document with breeders listed by state, then city and breed? That would be worth looking at. I have looked up swaps, but a lot of the lists for swap meets are outdated or unorganized. Maybe I just haven't found the right place.
These folks have just such lists in their tool kits....they are really helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/849075/heritage-large-fowl-phase-ii/4650#post_12929209
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