Sunshine_Amy
Songster
Hi everyone! I'm new to chicken keeping. I live in Western Massachusetts. We are getting chickens as pets-with-eggy-benefits. I've got 2 kids (ages 9 and 13), who are very excited. Chicks are due to arrive May 23. I'm still researching and am considering a second chick order to arrive the same week.
I've done a lot of research on breeds, aiming to get friendly birds (towards people and other birds) that will give us relative consistency in egg production through the winter (no added lights), and are least likely to get picked off by predators (no white birds; bonus points for those that are predator aware) on the occasions we have them out. I am still figuring out an ample outside run situation which may influence my final choice. I'll start a new thread on my remaining questions in that regard.
Breeds I'm planning to get (1 hen each):
black Australorp*
blue Australorp*
Ameraucana (authentic; this year these are more widely available)
Faverolles (I think; I'm assuming they can handle some winter wetness on the ground since the feathers are on their legs not feet)
either Speckled Sussex or Jubilee Orpington.**
Breeds I have on my order but plan to remove:
Red Star/ Sex-link/ Comet /Golden Buff / Isa Brown (the chicken of many names!)--concerns about RIR parentage/bullying behavior, and life expectancy have nixed this one.
Plymouth Rock & Black Copper Marans. I'd love both of these breeds, but I'm setting a high bar for good behavior with the breeds I'm getting that are extremely docile and prone to being picked on, and I'm not sure these two make the cut in terms of not being bullies. I've read mixed things. If you think they'd be great with the docile breeds, I'm all ears.
We had also considered the Bielefelder. I was sold on the idea of the Uber chicken early on, and they seem so sweet. If she was a steady winter layer I'd still include her, but this, along with no verification that they are predator savvy, has me leaning against it at the moment.
*The Australorp is my ideal chicken! Excellent egg production, winter layer, friendly and docile and delightful personality, great with other breeds, and more predator savvy and less broody than regular Orpingtons. I wish they came in more colors!
**I LOVE the look of the Jubilee, and I know I'd love her personality; I'm considering the Sussex instead because she's got similar attributes, and more predator awareness--also costs a lot less, the Jubilee is pricey!--but to me the Sussex is not quite as gorgeous as the Jubilee, and this one is the only breed that I really just WANT
--so it will come down to my outdoor run situation and if predator awareness really matters in the end.
I'm grateful for this forum. It's been very helpful in my research! I look forward to participating here.
I've done a lot of research on breeds, aiming to get friendly birds (towards people and other birds) that will give us relative consistency in egg production through the winter (no added lights), and are least likely to get picked off by predators (no white birds; bonus points for those that are predator aware) on the occasions we have them out. I am still figuring out an ample outside run situation which may influence my final choice. I'll start a new thread on my remaining questions in that regard.
Breeds I'm planning to get (1 hen each):
black Australorp*
blue Australorp*
Ameraucana (authentic; this year these are more widely available)
Faverolles (I think; I'm assuming they can handle some winter wetness on the ground since the feathers are on their legs not feet)
either Speckled Sussex or Jubilee Orpington.**
Breeds I have on my order but plan to remove:
Red Star/ Sex-link/ Comet /Golden Buff / Isa Brown (the chicken of many names!)--concerns about RIR parentage/bullying behavior, and life expectancy have nixed this one.
Plymouth Rock & Black Copper Marans. I'd love both of these breeds, but I'm setting a high bar for good behavior with the breeds I'm getting that are extremely docile and prone to being picked on, and I'm not sure these two make the cut in terms of not being bullies. I've read mixed things. If you think they'd be great with the docile breeds, I'm all ears.
We had also considered the Bielefelder. I was sold on the idea of the Uber chicken early on, and they seem so sweet. If she was a steady winter layer I'd still include her, but this, along with no verification that they are predator savvy, has me leaning against it at the moment.
*The Australorp is my ideal chicken! Excellent egg production, winter layer, friendly and docile and delightful personality, great with other breeds, and more predator savvy and less broody than regular Orpingtons. I wish they came in more colors!
**I LOVE the look of the Jubilee, and I know I'd love her personality; I'm considering the Sussex instead because she's got similar attributes, and more predator awareness--also costs a lot less, the Jubilee is pricey!--but to me the Sussex is not quite as gorgeous as the Jubilee, and this one is the only breed that I really just WANT
--so it will come down to my outdoor run situation and if predator awareness really matters in the end.I'm grateful for this forum. It's been very helpful in my research! I look forward to participating here.
Glad you joined.
