Favorite Chicken Breed?

[Labsandchickens8]

EEs will always be my recommedtation for a tried and true breed for novices, you just can't go wrong with them IME. Hardy in all temps, friendly, laid-back, get along with other breeds, I've never had a bully. Dependable layers, don't go broody. Good foragers. And they come at a reasonable price.

I have two EEs, and while they are beautiful and are dependable layers of awesome blue eggs, they are my most skittish hens out of eight different breeds. I guess it depends on their breeding.

 

[Labsandchickens8]

I really love…having a mixed flock! I have had multiple birds of the same breed over the years, and I have favorite individual hens but not a favorite breed! Some of the top general favorites are naked necks, Orpingtons, Welsummer, Sussex & Cream Legbar, although I am currently smitten w my two young Leghorn pullets!

I really enjoy having a range of different looking chickens and colorful eggs. My suggestion is try a few different breeds of some that have been recommended! If you like one specific breed more than the rest you can always add just that breed, but I have a feeling you might like a little bit of a few different ones!

Totally agree on the mixed flock. I like to be able to tell which chicken I'm looking at quickly. I do think it's nice to have two of a breed so they have a friend.
I have EEs, one OE, one BR, one Welsummer, one speckled Sussex, 2 Polish, one buff Orpington, and a weird Bresse my husband wanted.
I would happily get all of them again except the Bresse - she's a great layer but can be over the top mean, especially to the poor little Polish. (They had to be separated. And they were fine until one went broody and then tried to come back to the roost. Bresse decided she should be viciously attacked for that.)
My Welsummer is top of the pecking order but okay. My Sussex is my favorite - so sweet, curious and adventurous. I highly recommend.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Sapphire gems are my favorite breed..or hybrid rather. They are sexlinked, the males often being a light gray with a white dot on the head, and the females being a darker gray with dark legs. I have heard from people on here though that the colors for the chicks varies.
They are amazing layers and are the friendliest chickens i have ever owned!
My rooster likes to hop on my back sometimes and preen my hair.

He is huge but the gentlest soul.
They are created by Hoover's hatchery but you can usually find them at TSC. All of my SG rooster's sons have been so extremely friendly too.
However, they are not cold tolerant..My rooster's huge comb and wattles are surprisingly doing great in this weather, but not the hens with the floppy combs for some reason.
They are relatively heat tolerant. Large-bodied sapphire gems do not do too well in the heat (one of mine died last year from the heat), but the more leaner individuals do. They are also dual purpose and would make great meat birds if that is something you are interested in.

My SG hens:

My rooster again

Sorry for all the pics hehe

 

[ChickQueen77]

My favorite is Barred Rocks.
My Barred Rocks are the hardiest breed I have. Mine are friendly and even my rooster is nice enough.
Here is my rooster with 1 of his hens

 

[Beau plus penny]

Hey y’all!! I’m wondering, what is your FAVORITE chicken breed?

I want the best egg producer, but I know that the ones bred for production are prone to short lives and/or health issues. So what is your tried and true, healthy, productive hens?!

Just tryna plan for possible chicks this spring.

Thanks in advance!

cochins definitely

 

[Isabella7Storm5]

Black Sumatras have been my favorite for a while

In my experience they’re super sweet and lay consistently.
The predators don’t get them as often either. Idk if that’s because they’re small and less appetizing or they’re just flighty so they escape easily.
And they look super cool!

Sadly they’re well suited to warmer climates so where I live they don’t do as well as their more fluffy comrades during the winters

 

[Folly's place]

Beautiful bird!
Mary

 

[StinkyAcres]

Does your granny hen still lay occasionally?

She is on winter break right now, but, yes, she was laying last year.

 

[Altairsky]

Mutts is my favorite breed
But if I have to choose, this local rare dual purpose breed from Venice called "Robusta Maculata" is really pretty!

 

[AmericanDwarfChicken]

My absolute favorite are Cochin bantams (pekins)! They are extremely docile, and will NEVER fight, even the roosters are not mean! They lay a good sized egg, just a bit smaller than a large size. My standard cochins made great broodies, and great mothers.