Hello everyone, we are new here. We have had chickens before but are down to one old lonely hen "penny" We are planning on remodeling the chicken coups for the spring and would like to try raising some threatened or critical breeds and help introduce them into our area. We would like to have some to raise for meat/eggs and maybe have a few pets. We would love any suggestions you may have to help us out. We had a few on our list to pick from so far : Mottled Houdans, Salmon Faverolles, Speckeled Sussex and the Deleware. What would you pick? Thanks for you input, Jodi and Bryan
I have not personally owned the breeds you are considering (we have Australorp and Cochin pullets, about 4 mos old), but cannot wait for one of my hens to go broody so I can graft on a Salmon Faverolles chick! I have heard they are prolific layers and extremely sweet. Plus adorable to boot. So I vote for at least one Faverolles.
First, Better be careful on here, because almost everyone has the chicken bug! I do! Now on to your question... I was wanting to do the same thing you are wanting. (Help out the critical breeds) So, I bought 5 straight run Sumatras and a few Silician Buttercups for May. These are more for a loved pet. They do lay decent eggs, just not for buisness. You could still sell them for hatching. I am also wanting to get some Blue Hen of Delaware. There is only like 2 people who have them on here. It might be hard for me to get them. From your choices, though, I would go with Speckled Sussex or Delware. Those breeds are not as endangered as some, but they are good with eggs. Hope I helped, and enjoy your chicken adventure!
It depends on what you are going to do with them. If you are going to breed them to the Standard of Perfection and try to compete I would pick the Salmon Faverolles or Speckled Sussex. Those two breeds are a little easier to find than Mottled Houdans or show quality Delawares. Check out the Faverolles thread on this website. There are many good quality breeders on that site that are more than happy to share birds and information with you. Jonathan
I don't have any chickens myself but I have been researching alot and I think Russian Orloffs are really pretty plus, they are cold hardy and lay a light brown egg throught the winter but I'm not sure how many a year, they are used for meat but some people say their meat is tough they can weigh about 6.5-8.5 lbs they are calm but not docile and very hardy. I was thinking of getting myself some when I'm older unless I can convince my parents to let me have chickens
Quote:Unless you're getting them from a non-hatchery stock breeder, you're not really helping the population, at least in my opinion. Otherwise, Houdans are very, very rare and honestly I find that the true to type dual purpose ones are extinct or near extinct in the US. Salmon Faverolles are a good choice though, same with Delawares. Speckled Sussex are much more common though, but a lot of them are usually from hatchery stock. I would personally pick the Houdans simply because I love RARE and challenging breeds, but if I were you, I'd pick the Faverolles.
Do NOT get the Delawares if you plan on having a mixed flock. They will attack, hunt down, and terrorize your other birds (in my experience). I agree with Illia - if you want a real challenge, even just to find decent birds - then try to find good Houdans. If you want pets that lay good, get Faverolles. Some of the SWEETEST birds in the universe. I would also suggest Dorkings! Sussex are nice, but fairly common - not really "rare" at all.
Thank's everyone for your comments, we havent decided yet..... but we have time. I'm sure we will have more questions in the future..........
