Wow! Gorgeous breed Hmong! Melanistic ...black meat bird. Bet
@SimpleJenn 's hubby would love this one.
Me & DH...we're thrilled w/ our fuzzy Silkies for good temperament, black skin, turquoise ears, decent egg size (same size as our Dominique eggs) & just as smart or not so smart as any other breed. & 1st-time visitors love them. Easy to keep for our climate zone & great little foragers if their vision is kept clear.
We also cycled thru some rare larger breed chickens. & once we considered Cochin bantams but getting two free Silkie chicks 14 yrs ago settled our choice. It's my personal opinion that most bantam breeds capture the hearts of their owners ~ OEGB, Dutch bantams, Sebrights, D'Anvers, D'Uccles, Cochins, EE bantams, etc etc. & most of them are considered excellent broodies but of course my top choice bantam is Silkie for my favourite all-around usefulness for egg size, broodiness, hardiness in our climate, foraging skills, can't fly out of the yard, good temperament/friendly, & cute eye candy in an array of different colors.
For a standard breed we are in love w/Dominiques who are active friendly curious chicks that don't cower in a corner like most chick breeds but run to their human in peeping joy yet grow up to be fairly calm adults & good flockmates & who continue having reciprocating conversations w/their human. Our Dominiques were great flock leaders & the hens were kind to Silkies in the flock & kept bully hens in their place from picking on Silkies. Doms would lead the chase after feral cats in the yard & would enlist the shy Silkies into the pursuits. Silkies avoid predator confrontations but find courage under the tutelage of Doms.
I'm sure other owners have great experiences w/ their breeds but over the years Doms & Silkies have personally been our best backyard combination flock. I do love all birds, even the funny awkward vultures, ducks, geese, parrots, doves, etc, but I'm just sharing our little backyard
Dana & Violet ~ a Dom & Silkie 2021
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