If you were told you could only raise ONE breed, what would it be?

[sovia]

I don't have a lot of experience, but thus far I have had Dominiques, Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons, California Whites, Speckled Sussex, Delawares, Black Australorps, Silver Laced Wyandottes, and Golden-Laced Wyandottes.

I expected to love the buffs, but they are not nice at ALL to the rest of the flock. My barred rock is flat out mean and the wyandottes are extremely shy. The California Whites were psycho. The australorps are just sort of there.

I am torn between the Delaware and the Speckled Sussex. The Delawares are friendly, very reliable egg-layers. The Speckled Sussex are everything I thought the buffs would be - super sweet, want to sit on my lap, follow me everywhere. So, I guess I would go with the Speckled Sussex!

 

[Yardegg]

Really? Only one breed? Well, I have to agree that the Brahma's are hard to beat for sweet disposition, and general laying ability. But, I've gotten out of the Brahma birds simply because the feathered feet and legs are so hard to keep parasite-free where I live. I have had really good luck with black sex-links on nearly every level. Mine come when I call them, are very hardy, and lay very well until they molt. The only downside is that mine are free-ranged, so they tend to hang out on my back porch a lot. Of course I wouldn't mind that, except they poop wherever they hang out. My back step has to be cleaned off on a daily basis. Excellent yard birds, though.

Yardegg

 

[BeckyLa]

I would have to say Wheaton Marans. I love the temperament of the Marans I have had and they are good layers. However, since I just can't find them around here, I may try BO since y'all brag on 'em all the time.

 

[sarahloveschickens]

deffinalty polish

 

[Cathryn]

Silkies, I'd have to choose my silkies. They lay year round, make beautiful pets, and can't fly which makes it easier to keep their barn and pens clean. Cath

 

[blackred]

When it gets to the point that I can only have 1 breed and 1 variety(age) it will be BB Red Modern game bantams. I have bred and shown many breeds but this is the one that makes me want to get out of bed in the morning.

It has nothing to do with eggs, foraging ability, meat or anything except style.

Bob

 

[joebryant]

The fact is that there's really only one TRUE breed of chickens, blue Orpingtons. All the other breeds are generics of the REAL ones.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I feel the same way about the brahma. Everything else is just a chicken.

 

[ghulst]

For Eggs I would only get the commercial bred birds like Isa Browns.

 

[Brit4Shains]

Quote:
That's easy for you to say... with Townline right in your back yard...

I would agree... ISA Browns are decent layers, but our Americaunas are matching egg/day that the browns are doing... + I still have the rest of the mixed flock that seem to lay well...

All in all, I think the Braggs Mountains will be my favorite for overall size, color, meat, and eggs once they start laying. They are already my prettiest birds in the flock.