I Can't Choose!!!

[chickencrazy13]

Ok, unfortunately I need to pick (only

)3 breeds for my first backyard flock. I have a list of a few I have narrowed it down to. If anyone wants to add or change something that is fine. Soooooo, I have...

-Easter Egger
-Rhode Island Red
-Barred Rock
-Leghorn
-Buff Orpington
-Black Jersey Giant

If you have any suggestions I would LOVE them! I just cant decide!!! Thanks so much!

 

[Y N dottes]

i like most of ur choices, and yes it can be hard to choose which breed to get. especially when u r limited.
I really like rhode island reds and barred rocks a lot....those would be at the top of my list.
also i really like both light sussex and speckled sussex breeds....

 

[chickenmomma16]

I personally love EEs. You can't go wrong with a little color in your egg basket!

 

[featheredmom]

What are you raising them for? The reds are wonderful egg producers(they all are, but the reds seem to produce more), I personally love the EEs for their colored eggs...but it is really a personal preference.

 

[chickencrazy13]

I am raising them only for eggs. And I agree, the EEs are really awesome.

 

[gg706]

Sorry I am a Wyandotte and Araucana fan! I have heard that most RIR from hatcheries have terrible personalities. I do not have any personal experience with this just things I have run across on BYC. Check out Wyandottes before you decide they come in LOTS of colors black , white, brown, partridge, silver laced, gold laced, blue laced red , silver penciled to name some of the colors off the top of my head. To get really nice colors etc. you would have to go to a breeder. This is my Wyandottes first winter and they are continuing to lay pretty brown eggs even with the short daylight and cold weather. They are also very friendly, curious and pretty smart as far as a chicken goes. Of course every chicken is different and every breeders line is different and the qualitys will vary depending on where you get them from. I got mine from a breeder, I originally wanted just Araucanas but she offered Blue Laced Red Wyandottes as well so I got some of each.....I actually prefer the Wyandottes! Good Luck!

 

[chickencrazy13]

I like wyandottes too, although I have never considered the araucanas. Are they good layers as well?

 

[gg706]

Araucanas can be good layers from what I have heard...Mine have not begun to lay yet. They are approx. 8-9 months old. I think they are going to wait until spring. I think one of them has laid a couple of eggs (eggs are a different color than Wyandottes) but both times she laid ON THE ROOST and it dropped and broke! And she has not laid since SO to answer your question I don't know. They are not a common back yard bird so of course I wanted them. They are a difficult bird to raise as they can be born with issues. 2 of my chicks had too short of a back to process waste properly and could not poop so I had to put them out of their misery...NOT an easy thing to do! Overall I am happy with them. They are a very intellegent bird and free range and forage very well so I dont go through alot of feed. They also deal with the heat here in Georgia very well, so that is a plus for my climate. they have good friendly personalities which I enjoy. A negative is you will not get true Araucanas from any hatchery you have to go to a breeder and you will get a straight run of chicks (male and female) so you will have to do something with all the roosters. If you can butcher, great! If not, like me...I had to find someone to come get them. I have pis of my birds when they were 4 months old on my profile, you are welcome to check them out if you wish. Let us know what you decide!



edited to add..... They are bigger and fluffier now but basically look the same. The Wyandottes tails fluff out and are much prettier now that they are older.
Sorry! I need to update my pics! BTW I got all my chicks from chicken scratch poultry she has a website if you want to check it out.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Ok, unfortunately I need to pick (only

)3 breeds for my first backyard flock. I have a list of a few I have narrowed it down to. If anyone wants to add or change something that is fine. Soooooo, I have...

-Easter Egger
-Rhode Island Red
-Barred Rock
-Leghorn
-Buff Orpington
-Black Jersey Giant

If you have any suggestions I would LOVE them! I just cant decide!!! Thanks so much!

Of these, I would get EE, BR and JG. Hatchery RIR can have attitudes. I have 2, one sweet, the other a B****. Leghorns produce good but can be flighty. Orps will go broody a lot and not produce while broody. You can see what breeds I have in my Sig line. I am working toward a self-sustaining flock of egg and meat producers. But mine are pets as well. Gonna be getting a few Silkies in a couple of weeks for my DW.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

Ok, unfortunately I need to pick (only

)3 breeds for my first backyard flock. I have a list of a few I have narrowed it down to. If anyone wants to add or change something that is fine. Soooooo, I have...

-Easter Egger
-Rhode Island Red
-Barred Rock
-Leghorn
-Buff Orpington
-Black Jersey Giant

If you have any suggestions I would LOVE them! I just cant decide!!! Thanks so much!

I have had all of them. Now I just have 14 RIR's. Well did get 2 Easter Eggers the other day lol. If you want easy going chickens that lay tons of egg all year its all about the RIR's. Best chickens out there. Thats all I amgoing to raise now. The leghorns are great also if you want an egg every day. But they can be a *****!! I do mean it to. And they go broody a lot. Which means no eggs. Jerseys I didnt like. To aggresive with all my reds. REally if I was you and I had to do over. All reds with a few Easter Eggs to brighten up the cartoon.