Flock replacement- what are your thoughts

[patandchickens]

I tried to ruthlessly narrow down my list of candidates, omitting anything that looked beautiful but seemed of possibly questionable hardiness or temperament (banties, sumatras, leghorns) or breeds that while purty seemed unlikely to be good layers or provide a decent soup from culls (ornamentals like polish) or eat too much (jersey giants, etc). Also I didn't want feather-footed breeds for cleanliness reasons.

That left me with a short list of maybe a dozen, dozen and a half breeds to seriously consider. I picked three to try, figuring that I would keep whichever one(s) I wanted and then the next year audition a few more, you know?

The campines, although gorgeous and the one (sigh) hen is a real good layer, turned ot to be too whackadoodle for my nerves -- cockerels sold, kept the one hen, not gettin' more. The buff chanteclers are perfectly nice birds, and the one I et was exceedingly tasty as well, but it turns out that what I really fell in love wth was the speckled sussex. I got them because they (well anyhow their British relatives) are considered to provide some legitimate meat as well as eggs, and my m-i-l had light sussex as a kid but I couldn't source light sussex and settled for speckled instead

Turns out I like the speckled sussex so much I am mostly 'sticking with' them, to breed for utility qualities. Chanteclers need to find a new home. I am trying some EEs this spring, as something that might hopefully provide decent egg production for not too awful much feed, but I think I'll basically concentrate on the sussexes.

There are a lot of really different approaches to the problem, though, and this is only one and probably not the most typcial one around here either

Have fun deciding!

Pat

 

[Wifezilla]

I did a little check list in my head similar to yours. I came up with these as a candidate if I ever decide to move beyond ducks

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Favs/BRKFaverolles.html

 

[ivan3]

max13077 wrote: My first intentions on the topic of keeping chickens was just a way to remember my grandparents and to sort of have a link to the past.

That's one of the reasons we have ours, as well. Sorry the picking continued (I read your posts but didn't have any other suggestions than those I made in your initial thread about the problem).

We like our Black Sex Link hens (not showy - good when ranged in predator heavy area as they are pretty nondescript against the forest clutter). They are easy going and good producers. Some folks have mentioned that BSL roos are rude boys. They are cold hardy and thrifty. They will be four years old in March and are still laying every 2-4 days.

Best of luck with your new flock no matter what breeds you decide to include.

Take care,
John

ed:Sp​

 

[JennsPeeps]

I'm a new chicken owner, having had them since only May 2008. My approach to picking breeds has been similar to a recent experience at a gourmet all-you-can-eat buffet: pick a little of what looks good to me and can fit on my plate.

I started me flock with 1 each:
BSL
RIR
BR

A month later I found a banty cochin on Craigslist, so she was added to the flock.

Next month I'm going to add:
BO
Australorp
and either Polish crested or a SLW

My reasoning is that I want to try a little of each (as much as will fit into my coop) and see which breeds fit our lifestyle. We want friendly working girls who pay the rent regularly.

Except for the bantam cochin. The bird is 9 months old and there's nary an egg in sight.

 

[willheveland]

If your NYS lottery number doesn't come up and mine does.I'll buy you 10 of each.

Nice story,I just thought you were raising chickens because you were a redneck like me.It's good to see you appreciate where you came from.

for layers I've always liked #1 Black Australorpes and#2 Barred Rocks better than any I've had so far.Right now I have Americanas and not that crazy about them.I have been thinking about Buckeyes, I hear they are cold hardy but since I've never had them can't be sure.

I've raised different birds together but I really like the looks of a flock of many all with the same breed.You can't pick each out individually as easy but it really looks cool seeing a flock like that freeranging out in the open.

I really need a few more winter coops something to keep a couple more breeds separate through winter.

Let us know what you finally decide. Will

 

[max13077]

Will, I agree they look great out ranging in the field behind the house. Something else I've noticed about chickens is they're extremely therapeutic to just sit and watch as they mill around.

On that note, I work with emotionally disturbed children during the day. Subsequently there is a large support staff of psychologists, counselors, and the like I'm in contact with on a regular basis. One of the doctors came out to get some eggs once, and my hens happened to be out ranging. He and I sat with a cup of tea and watched them for over an hour. He couldn't believe how "captivating" they were just to watch wander around the yard and look for things. I respect his thoughts and opinions very much. So I think if he felt that way, there must be something to it.

After that I always thought that it would be neat to invite people to come watch them. Especially older folks I think would like it. But my little "farm" is just a coop in the back yard. That's why I'm counting on the NY lottery to give me the capital to build a real farm to try and make that idea happen!!!

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
Can you let your birds loose while your home or are they always to stay in the coop? Will

 

[spottedtail]

We always get a flock of one breed. For one season (usually).
Next year, different breed.
If good records are kept, it's interesting to see how the breeds match up.
A uniform one breed flock does look good out on a short grassy pasture, especially the white ones.

 

[max13077]

Quote:
Will,

This past summer, I let them out as often as I could. If somebody was going to be home, I'd just leave them out all day. When I let them out I have a piece of rope I use to keep the pen and coop doors open and they could come and go as they pleased.

They really seem at peace when they're able to do that. Some will stay around the coop taking dust baths etc. Some will go off into the field and have adventures. The compost pile is always a favorite too. Worms and bugs galore! I don't even have to turn it anymore!!!

I think that was part of the picking issue. They were used to being outside a lot. But when the snow came, nobody wanted to go. I've got to try something else next winter. Maybe I'll try some of that transparent roofing over part of the pen or something?

 

[tdgill]

seems that a flock of one breed would be easier to "part with" after egg production slacks off. that one might not see them as individuals with names....