Healthiest Chicken Breeds?

[plaidpantsuit]

More unsolicited tips:

I found that just choosing one or two breeds was easiest healthwise, with highly mixed flocks, I spent a lot of time researching and treating health issues, some that looked different depending on each member. Once I narrowed my breeds down a bit, the same thing usually cropped up, and it was quicker to both recognize and treat.

When you do decide what you want, find a friendly breeder of just that breed, and ask for advice, sometimes it's as simple as lower roosts for a foot issue, or a supplement for delicate digestions.

 

[featheredplanets]

Okay, Old English Game are definitely something I would be interested in. Cochin bantams seem good to. I was looking into bantam breeds, and though I can't find much on health and life expectancy, I saw a few that I thought looked really cute: brahma bantam, mille fleur d'uccle, sebright bantam, dutch bantam, and the belgium bantam. Does anyone know anything about these breeds?

If you Google the breeds you’re interested, breed profiles should come up, regarding temperament, egg yield, egg colour, breed history and any special requirements. Most pure breeds have the same general healthiness and all can average 10 years.

Most chicken breeds are compatible and there’s no issue having a mixed flock, as long as they get along.

With it being cold where you are, you may want to avoid breeds with large combs (D’uccle) and opt for breeds with smaller coms (Brahma). However, if you have a muddy run, you may want to choose a breed without feathered legs, as they are prone to getting wet and ladened with mud.

If your run is dry I think your two easter eggers, a Brahma bantam and Cochin bantam would make a nice friendly flock

 

[NNYchick]

I don’t think it’s the breed as much as the genetics in the bird. Remember many hatcheries flock breed so there really is no selection and the rotate the flocks every year or 2 meaning they breed the bird one year cull all breeders at the end of the season and start fresh with young birds the next season so the birds never get a chance to build up immunities to pass down in their genetics. The same with breeders that are constantly giving medications like antibiotic then breeding to that bird, I’ve seen many of the old breeding article/books state don’t breed to birds that have been sick, it is showing you it’s weak genetics.
I would research breeds choose a breed that fits your needs, then find a breeder that has disease resistant, health and vigor as part of their breeding plan, this will mean they are culling the sick or less vigorous birds so they are only breeding the strongest.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Belgians are AMAZING I have 5 now, a trio I'm keeping and a pair I'm selling to another 4-her. Super sweet roosters and super friendly hens too. I can walk over and pick then right up

 

[HappyClucker7]

Thank you all for your help. Mille fleur d'uccle won't work in my climate, right? If not, then I am now deciding between cochin bantams, brahma bantams, or old english game bantams. Which of these, in your opinion will do best in my climate and in a mixed flock, and will have the least health issues?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Well.... I had mille fluers in my area with -20 winters, but they did pkay. The male's are in danfernof losing their combs though

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Cochins are probably the friendliest breed. No clue about the Brahma bantams though

 

[HappyClucker7]

Okay, so I think I'm leaning towards the cochin bantams. I think they would do well in my flock and maybe add some nice contrast. I'm thinking two cochin bantams and two easter eggers in a flock with one black australorp, one RIR, and one barred rock. Does that sound like it would work?

 

[Leo1]

I know this is old, but I needed to add my 2 cents...
Easter eggers are one of the healthiest "breeds". They don't have a breed standard and have keep the old, diverse genetics. If you want long lived birds and you're in a cold climate, they need warmth in the winter. Older birds can't take the cold and, regardless of what anyone tell you, cold is hard on chickens. It will shorten their lives and cold stress makes them move susceptible to illness. People keep disagreeing with me and boasting about how they've had some heritage breed birds live as long as 8 or 9 years. That's not old for heritage breeds or EEs. It's average if you factor in the young deaths from reproductive cancers. Take those out and you're looking at that 10 year mark you were talking about.
A general thing to look for is how many eggs they lay. More eggs, in general, means fewer years of life.

 

[Themellowyellows]

Hi! How is your flock? Im reading this thread because I am wondering what breeds I should get next.