How did you begin...one breed or many?

[patandchickens]

I started with ISA Browns just for the eggs. I knew there was no danger I would actually *like* them as ornaments or pets (I am so not a bird person). They were just there for humanely produced eggs. Sort of a utility item, like a lawnmower or sump pump. Right?

Oh. Wait. These chicken things, they're actually quite personable, aren't they. And smart! Maybe not manned-mission-to-the-moon smart, but trainably smart (me training them AND them training me, LOL). Also cute. Hmmm...

It has been quite a struggle, believe me, to resist the 'collect the whole set' impulse, but I've 'tried out' a couple breeds in small numbers, am sticking with the Speckled Sussex as a long-term project (to work on their utility qualities; I don't care about showing) and am trying to decide what to add next spring -- my heart says Sumatras or RC Brown Leghorns or even one more try at campines (which flunked out before by being too wacko for me), but I think in reality I will try to find a good-laying line of EEs.

Maybe turkeys, one of the small heritage breeds, in a couple years...

Pat

 

[newfmadible]

Wow. Thanks for all the responses. There are as many answers to this as there are chickens! You guys are a great resource. Maybe by spring I will be ready to make my decisions.

 

[menageriemama]

I started with three "dual purpose" breeds, BOs, BAs and SLWs.

 

[ChanceRider]

I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I got chicks. I was at the feed store and came home with 6 the first day, and a couple of days later 3 more.

I wound up with 3 EE's, 3 RIR's, and 3 GLW's. I think my least favorite are the GLW's... just not as friendly as the others. I'll have to build a larger 2nd coop before I can add to the bunch as I have 2 ducks housed with the chickens.

I've only had chickens and ducks since July/August but I'm already addicted and want MORE! Oh, and don't even mention incubating... I'm already looking at a 'bator too. Is there a 12 step program for chicken addicts? Sign me up!

 

[Pinky]

One day my uncle called me and asked if wanted two chickens.I said yes and got two sexlink hens,one red and one black.I didn't get to choose the breed of my first chickens ,but they were free and needed a home.I still liked them and they still lay well.Later on I got to chose the next members of my flock,one white leghorn(roo),1 RIR(roo),2 black australorps,1 blue andalusian,and some brown leghorns.I still want some white leghorn hens and I think I will look for some this spring.

 

[birdsofparadise]

I started with a single breed. Too many variables in size, age and temperment would just make things more difficult. Now that they are along some, Iʻm making plans for starting another 25 chicks of a second breed when the first group hits 6 months. With harvesting a bird a week after the first six months, I should have a perpetuating cycle with fresh, young birds coming in just as the adult birds are going out and never more than 50 birds in the flock at a time.

Of course, my wife will probably fall in love with a couple and my plans will all go to heck in a hand basket.

 

[newchickenfamily]

I only have 3. I wanted to have "yard candy" to look at so I chose 3 different breeds that were different colors! RIR, Buff Orp & Black Star. I love watching them cruise around my backyard. I don't think you will be disappointed with whatever you choose.

 

[DollDoctor]

I'm pondering the same question...one breed or a bunch of different ones. At this point I think I'm going to start with one breed. I plan to eat my chickens and hopefully if they all look alike I won't get as attached to them as individuals. I'm interested in cold tolerant dual purpose heritage breeds so will probably go for Chanteclers or Buckeyes.

 

[LocoPollo]

I started in July by someone giving me three adult Old English Standard Game birds, two hens and one roo, with nine babies. I thought I would be raising just game birds for a 'couple of years' until I knew what I was doing, because I had never raised chickens and knew nothing about them. Then I thought that I wanted a bigger breed, and deliberated for a week whether I should get some speckled sussex or not (I tend to favor the white skinned english/european breeds.) Now I also have ee's, barred rocks, buff and blue orpingtons, and some black copper marans in the bator. So much for just one breed for the first couple of years!!! *sigh*

 

[Jena]

Hi,

I started out with and still have my same 4, I only got them in September, and over here in the Uk they are called Black Rocks, but they are lovely birds and I am very happy with them, but would like to get more next spring if posible.

Mine are just starting to lay eggs and they are wonderful dark brown eggs,

the chickens are mainly black but with variable amounts of red feathering around their necks and heads. One is more grey and has a lot of red, well ginger on her head and breast. they are a cross breed with Rhode Island Red and Plymouth Barred Rocks, Love them...

My sister started about the same time and she had a big mix, with one black Rock and 3 Warrens, one light sussex, and a few other breeds, she is still waiting for hers to start laying, but she bought a few more that were older and has 2 regularly laying now.

But I went for a hardy bird that was quite resilient, as I am not wealthy and wanted the most manageable, and friendly birds. Now I am looking for some more, and have an idea about looking to heritage birds here if I can find some. (Scots Dumpies etc. )

Jena.