Help me make an appropriate choice please!

[Sorin]

Hello fellow upstate New Yorker! I'm actually in northern NY, but close enough. Someone mentioned Black Stars, they are an excellent choice, and very good layers. Another good one for cold weather is Buff Orpingtons, they are my favorite, mostly because of temperament, but very cold hardy, barred rocks are also good, as well as what Fred said in the Rhode island reds and Wyandottes. If you want bantams, I have a bantam cochin and she does great in the winter, not a great layer of eggs though. I'm not sure of any breeders in the area, but for most of the breeds mentioned here you could go to a local tractor supply store or feed store in your area. Most of them still have chicks yet, and there's a good chance to get the breeds that were mentioned. I would also try craigslist, but you may not be sure of the gender of the bird. Most of the ones at the feed stores and TSC are sexed except the bantams. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

 

[birdicus7]

All have given good suggestions but the choice will ultimately be yours....Remember your chicken math, after your first batch you'll see something else you want to add. I have Rhode Island Reds, GL Wyandottes and Speckled Sussex. The GLW's have a rose comb that is much better in the cold than the others with the single comb. The RIR's lay the best,
but my favorite are the Sussex. They are so friendly, they get excited to see me and come running as fast as they can when I go to see them.

 

[Celtic Chick]

For your general area, I would suggest one of the heavy breeds, all of which are well suited for the colder climates. Rose or pea combed breeds are especially hardy in cold weather areas where frostbite might be a concern. Personally, Buff Orpingtons are my favorite, and the Black Australorps, both of which are very friendly, quiet breeds that lay well right through winter.
Birdicus7 is correct that the decision is ultimately up to you, and I am sure you will choose wisely. And you can always add on. Goodness knows the rest of us certainly have.

If you can find a place with an assortment, I would suggest maybe getting one or two of a few heavy breeds. That way you can get an idea of what different kinds are like. My first time around, I got 6 "assorted heavy pullets", hoping for a mix of breeds. No such luck. They were all production reds. This time, I made sure to get 2 each of Orps & Aussies.

 

[starina]

Thanks for the advice! I will do more research on the size of the different bantams. I stopped at two of the Tractor supply stores today, they only had production reds, and leghorns. I guess I can call around though. I am a bit west of Oswego, zone 6, if that helps. I will be reading up on all of these breeds, I guess that ultimately, it will come down to what is available in this general area.
I found a place in Macedon, NY; Nature Berry Farm. Does anyone know anything about them?

Thanks again, everyone! I really do appreciate you taking time to help. There seems to be a lot of conflicting info out there, so it's comforting to learn from people that have hands on experience!

 

[Deanner03]

Look for a local breeder. There are LOTS of us in upstate NY! I'm from Northern Franklin County. I recommend Chanteclers and Dominiques for Large Fowl. Cochins for Bantams (or large fowl, lol). We have all three and have done well in an UNHEATED coop.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
Just so you know, they don't sex bantams; they are all straight run or as-hatched. So if you do not want or can't have roosters, I would be hesitant on getting them. Straight run are usually 50% or more roosters. My sister orders bantams, and she only got 17 hens out of 50+ chickens.

 

[speckledhen]

Brahmas would be my choice if I lived in a super cold climate. I have two of them, both over 4 years old and still laying several times each week, no trouble at all. Their pea combs and feathered legs and loose body feathering are well-suited, plus they're good girls, friendly, but not needy. They also make Brahma bantams.

 

[hoog]

Orpingtons are my vote. They are a really large bird so they have less predators than smaller breeds. They have lots of fluffy feathers for cold hardiness. They lay really big brown eggs although they do go broody more than other breeds. Also because they are so big they don’t fly well and a simple 3-4' fence kept mine in place so your garden would be safe with a small fence and your birds wouldn't be able to get of a yard while free ranging.

The number one advantage of Orpingtons is their stellar personalities.

The foundation of my new flock, even in this hot weather, is Buff Orpingtons.

I have owned Cochins, RiRs, Cornish Xs, AStrolorps, Barred Rocks, and Buff Orpingtons.

 

[pascopol]

Forget bantams, they are of little value as meat birds and egglayers.

Also they will fall prey to predators before your standart breed would.

I tried to raise bantams for eggs hoping they would be less destructive to small pasture I had, they destroyed the pasture just like LF perhaps took them little longer, after 2 years there is nothing left of them (predators)

And egg laying was very inconstistent and erratic.

I had bunch of bantam breeds including Bantam RIR's, Rocks, Delawares true Ameraucanas, Lakenvelders and naked Necks both hatchery stuff and breeders birds.

The best layers were Naked Necks, the rest were junk as far as egglaying is concerned.

Bantams have ornamental value but very little utilitarian value.

I am back to LF fowl again.

 

[stonykill]

I'm in Upstate NY near Albany. Similar weather to yours, just less snow! I have RIR's , a black Austrolop, and MANY Sumatra's. Sumatra's are my favorite and I would recomend them. Disreguard what every website says about Sumatra's laying only 2 eggs per week. My girls lay 4 to 5 eggs per week. Each. They prefer to free range. Are midsized between a Bantam and a full size chicken. My biggest Roo weighs around 6 lbs I'd say. They aren't bothered in the least by 20 below zero temps, or 2 feet of snow.
I will have Sumatra chicks hatching over the weekend...if all goes well. Pm me if your interested!
head roo Sammy and one of his pretty girls

another handsome roo "jr"