INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[tmarsh83]

Avoid white birds of any type.

Are you wanting one breed or a mix of breeds?

If one single breed that's a decent egg-laying, dual-purpose, friendly breed in a lot of colors that can be kept together throughout the year: Orpingtons, Marans, Sussex, Sumatra, Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks.

1. Marans come in a bunch of colors and the majority of them free range well and blend in surprisingly well (I'd avoid splash). Mine have been friendly and ranged well. Hens are good mommies and lay eggs from brick red to milk chocolate brown. Most colors are partridge or birchen based, seemingly. Single combed so watch for frostbite.
2. Orpingtons come in a rainbow, a big birds, lay well, profusely fluffy and sweet-natured. Most colors are solid. single combs can have frostbite.
3. Sussex are basically Orpingtons with an all-new variety of colors. A jubilee Orp is pretty much a speckled Sussex. Lord only knows why the colors have to get new brand names for skipping breeds. Sussex also come in "coronation" which is one of the prettiest varieties of chicken color I've ever seen (looks like a lavender Colombian). Big bodied, friendly, docile, pretty birds. "Speckled" is a dark red mille fleur, basically, and it's super pretty, too.
4. Sumatra are one of the prettier breeds on God's green earth. Come in lots of colors but super hard to find in most of those fancier colors. Can typically be found here in splash, blue and black, and they're all eye candy. Lay light brown eggs like crazy, from what I understand, and weigh a substantial amount more than you'd think (certainly worth eating). Chivalrous, alert roosters who are willing to give it their all defending the ladies. Pea combed and surprisingly cold hardy.
5. Wyandottes are the chicken rainbow with a trademark and cherry on top. They have a reputation for stubborn, somewhat aggressive dispositions, but I've yet to have a problem with them. Come in about every color known to poultry. Stunning birds. Mine laid super often and were one of the best layer I had. Fluffy, rose-combed birds. Wily, alert dispositions so they free range well. Roosters are very protective and can be aggressive, depending on breeder.
6. Plymouth Rocks may be one of the more perfect chickens, but sadly, like with other breeds, hatcheries have really botched up this breed (like they're doing with most of the breeds on this list). Generally good-natured birds that come in a nice variety of colors (usually white, partridge and barred). Lay and range well, and big enough for the table.

If a mix of breeds: Welsummer, RIR, New Hampshire, Buckeyes, any Brahma color but "light", bigger EEs.

1. EEs. I have some fricking huge ones here--seriously, one of these hens has to weigh ten pounds or more. EEs crossed with big breed roosters (usually with the aim of making green layers it seems) get really big. I have a bunch of 1/2 Brahma EE hens here, and they're just monstrous and likely to keep getting bigger as they continue to age. Stands to reason that other EE crosses are likely the same way. They're not a "breed" per se, so all colors are admissible, in their own way. All you're going to get from them is more variety. Wily, spunky, vigorous birds and fantastic layers.
2. Welsummers, RIR, NH and Buckeye only come in one color each (red or partridge), but all have the other qualities you're looking for in spades. Welsummers were voted the #1 breed to have in case of a zombie apocalypse. They're spunky, wonderful birds to have around.
3. Brahmas can come in a bunch of colors, but most of the ones you see that aren't "light" (Colombian) will be "dark" (silver penciled) or buff Colombian (both are stunning, imho). Watch out they don't get mites or frostbite on their feet because the feathers like to exacerbate both. Incredibly friendly, sweet birds. Never had a mean one. Light Brahmas are pretty popular, which means hatcheries have really screwed them up bad.

Also, try ducks. Pekins are a popular breed for a reason--they get to weight faster and bigger than chickens and lay like crazy. not much yard candy, but they're adorable. Swedish ducks come in two pretty colors, Cayuga in one (but it's gorgeous), Ancona are pretty and lay well. Look into ducks unless you hate the taste of duck meat. Rouen only come in one (but it's a mallard on steroids). Runners come in a rainbow, but they're strictly egg-laying and not worth the effort of eating, from what I understand.

Ask @jchny2000 for more info on possibly acquiring some of these breeds because she's looking to downsize and could use a good home for them. She has or has access to the vast majority of breeds on this list.

I'm no expert but the first breed that came to my mind was the orp. I don't have any, and they aren't really on my list, but they're popular for a reason.

Aren't Sumatras Asian? Seems like I've seen the Asian breeds tend to have a courser texture to the meat. Edible, but maybe not as pleasant as some of the others on the list.

I'm really leaning towards a Welsummer rooster for my next flock roo.

I know you mentioned avoiding white birds, but my Delaware girls are about as alert as any in the flock while ranging. I have good cover in the yard, but they do a great job of hugging cover, not getting too one-minded when feeding, and just generally keeping an eye out. Breeder quality are hard to find, from what i'm seeing, but i'm starting to really isolate them as a favorite and project for the future.

Good reviews of buckeyes have me thinking about a really small sex-link project someday.

 

[Indyshent]

I'm no expert but the first breed that came to my mind was the orp. I don't have any, and they aren't really on my list, but they're popular for a reason.

Aren't Sumatras Asian? Seems like I've seen the Asian breeds tend to have a courser texture to the meat. Edible, but maybe not as pleasant as some of the others on the list.

I'm really leaning towards a Welsummer rooster for my next flock roo.

I know you mentioned avoiding white birds, but my Delaware girls are about as alert as any in the flock while ranging. I have good cover in the yard, but they do a great job of hugging cover, not getting too one-minded when feeding, and just generally keeping an eye out. Breeder quality are hard to find, from what i'm seeing, but i'm starting to really isolate them as a favorite and project for the future.

Good reviews of buckeyes have me thinking about a really small sex-link project someday.

Predators are unforgiving with white birds. Some white birds can pull it off for generations, but that's not the norm (and certainly not the case when predator infestations are particularly heavy). Leghorns are about the best white type for staying alive but they're not usually friendly and never dual-purpose.

I've never eaten a bird that wasn't a CX or a BB turkey, so I'm not going to hazard a guess on Asian vs Not Asian meat quality. Roosters should probably be slow roasted anyway, and that might take the gamey, coarser texture down a notch or two.

I've had a Welsummer roosters before, and he was wonderful. His first crows sounded like a Tarzan impression or maybe like Tarzan trying to do the that whaaa-aa-aaaah! from the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly soundtrack, but he sadly grew out of that and, boy, oh boy, could he belt it out once he got his "real" crow in.

 

[racinchickins]

 

So...EVERYONE....

If I want heritage/breeder quality birds that have the following characteristics, what would you all recommend:

-Primarily for eggs but dual purpose so if I have to process roos it will be worth it.
-Range smart but also nice personalities.
-Yard Candy....(I love that sfh are all different colors/land race so that all the colors are acceptable).
-Cold hardy.

Avoid white birds of any type. 

Are you wanting one breed or a mix of breeds? 

If one single breed that's a decent egg-laying, dual-purpose, friendly breed in a lot of colors that can be kept together throughout the year: Orpingtons, Marans, Sussex, Sumatra, Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks. 

1. Marans come in a bunch of colors and the majority of them free range well and blend in surprisingly well (I'd avoid splash). Mine have been friendly and ranged well. Hens are good mommies and lay eggs from brick red to milk chocolate brown. Most colors are partridge or birchen based, seemingly. Single combed so watch for frostbite.
2. Orpingtons come in a rainbow, a big birds, lay well, profusely fluffy and sweet-natured. Most colors are solid. single combs can have frostbite.
3. Sussex are basically Orpingtons with an all-new variety of colors. A jubilee Orp is pretty much a speckled Sussex. Lord only knows why the colors have to get new brand names for skipping breeds. Sussex also come in "coronation" which is one of the prettiest varieties of chicken color I've ever seen (looks like a lavender Colombian). Big bodied, friendly, docile, pretty birds. "Speckled" is a dark red mille fleur, basically, and it's super pretty, too.
4. Sumatra are one of the prettier breeds on God's green earth. Come in lots of colors but super hard to find in most of those fancier colors. Can typically be found here in splash, blue and black, and they're all eye candy. Lay light brown eggs like crazy, from what I understand, and weigh a substantial amount more than you'd think (certainly worth eating). Chivalrous, alert roosters who are willing to give it their all defending the ladies. Pea combed and surprisingly cold hardy.
5. Wyandottes are the chicken rainbow with a trademark and cherry on top. They have a reputation for stubborn, somewhat aggressive dispositions, but I've yet to have a problem with them. Come in about every color known to poultry. Stunning birds. Mine laid super often and were one of the best layer I had. Fluffy, rose-combed birds. Wily, alert dispositions so they free range well. Roosters are very protective and can be aggressive, depending on breeder.
6. Plymouth Rocks may be one of the more perfect chickens, but sadly, like with other breeds, hatcheries have really botched up this breed (like they're doing with most of the breeds on this list). Generally good-natured birds that come in a nice variety of colors (usually white, partridge and barred). Lay and range well, and big enough for the table. 

If a mix of breeds: Welsummer, RIR, New Hampshire, Buckeyes, any Brahma color but "light", bigger EEs.

1. EEs. I have some fricking huge ones here--seriously, one of these hens has to weigh ten pounds or more. EEs crossed with big breed roosters (usually with the aim of making green layers it seems) get really big. I have a bunch of 1/2 Brahma EE hens here, and they're just monstrous and likely to keep getting bigger as they continue to age. Stands to reason that other EE crosses are likely the same way. They're not a "breed" per se, so all colors are admissible, in their own way. All you're going to get from them is more variety. Wily, spunky, vigorous birds and fantastic layers. 
2. Welsummers, RIR, NH and Buckeye only come in one color each (red or partridge), but all have the other qualities you're looking for in spades. Welsummers were voted the #1 breed to have in case of a zombie apocalypse. They're spunky, wonderful birds to have around.
3. Brahmas can come in a bunch of colors, but most of the ones you see that aren't "light" (Colombian) will be "dark" (silver penciled) or buff Colombian (both are stunning, imho). Watch out they don't get mites or frostbite on their feet because the feathers like to exacerbate both. Incredibly friendly, sweet birds. Never had a mean one. Light Brahmas are pretty popular, which means hatcheries have really screwed them up bad. 

Also, try ducks. Pekins are a popular breed for a reason--they get to weight faster and bigger than chickens and lay like crazy. not much yard candy, but they're adorable. Swedish ducks come in two pretty colors, Cayuga in one (but it's gorgeous), Ancona are pretty and lay well. Look into ducks unless you hate the taste of duck meat. Rouen only come in one (but it's a mallard on steroids). Runners come in a rainbow, but they're strictly egg-laying and not worth the effort of eating, from what I understand. 

Ask @jchny2000
 for more info on possibly acquiring some of these breeds because she's looking to downsize and could use a good home for them. She has or has access to the vast majority of breeds on this list. 

I've had Buckeyes and they definitely meet the requirements.

Two breeds to add:
Dorking - come in a variety of colors, have a rose comb version, reputed to be the best tasting of all chickens. I just got some this year, so I'll let you know on that.

Chantecler- my hens lay like crazy except when broody. Created to be cold hardy.

 

[iamfivewire]

Ditto on the Chanteclers - we like ours quite a bit.
We breed the Whites , although there are also partridge & buff color variations.

 

[Indyshent]

Heard wonderful things about Chanteclers but I've never met one. I would hope they're still relatively close to breed standards and that hatcheries haven't ruined them. If I recall correctly, they're basically Buckeyes that aren't all unicolor red. Sounds like "Win-Win!" all around. Not sure about their "yard candy" appeal or friendliness though. Seem pretty stately and Buckeye-like in that regards, so it probably depends at least as much on breeder when it comes to temperament.

*Note about temperament and generalities* Buckeyes from other breeders are sure to not be quite as amazing as the chicks many of us got this spring from a renowned breeder, after all, so it stands to reason other breeds are like this. Bottom line, take it up with the breeder when it comes to temperament. I've heard of small, mean light Brahmas, too, and their standard is all about "gentle giant".

 

[Indyshent]

Reposting this with some new info. Asterisks mark off new material.

***If you felt like it, you could turn a bunch of birds loose and make your very own landrace. Pick breeds with qualities you like, then turn 'em loose and see which traits crop up later. By all means, artificially select for prettier colors and sparkling dispositions.

Try to avoid white birds of any type.

Are you wanting one breed or a mix of breeds?

If one single breed that's a decent egg-laying, dual-purpose, friendly breed in a lot of colors that can be kept together throughout the year: Orpingtons, Marans, Sussex, Sumatra, Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks.

1. Marans come in a bunch of colors and the majority of them free range well and blend in surprisingly well (I'd avoid splash). Mine have been friendly and ranged well. Hens are good mommies and lay eggs from brick red to milk chocolate brown. Most colors are partridge or birchen based, seemingly. Single combed so watch for frostbite.
2. Orpingtons come in a rainbow, a big birds, lay well, profusely fluffy and sweet-natured. Most colors are solid. Single combs can have frostbite.
3. Sussex are basically Orpingtons with an all-new variety of colors. A jubilee Orp is pretty much a speckled Sussex. Lord only knows why the colors have to get new brand names for skipping breeds. Sussex also come in "coronation" which is one of the prettiest varieties of chicken color I've ever seen (looks like a lavender Colombian). Big bodied, friendly, docile, pretty birds. "Speckled" is a dark red mille fleur, basically, and it's super pretty, too. Single combed.
4. Sumatra are one of the prettier breeds on God's green earth. Come in lots of colors but super hard to find in most of those fancier colors. Can typically be found here in splash, blue and black, and they're all eye candy. Lay light brown eggs like crazy, from what I understand, and weigh a substantial amount more than you'd think (certainly worth eating). Chivalrous, alert roosters who are willing to give it their all defending the ladies. Pea combed and surprisingly cold hardy. *Technically a long tailed game breed, but lay well all things considered. Make the sexiest crossbreeds you've ever seen.
5. Wyandottes are the chicken rainbow with a trademark and cherry on top. They have a reputation for stubborn, somewhat aggressive dispositions, but I've yet to have a problem with them. Come in about every color known to poultry. Stunning birds. Mine laid super often and were one of the best layers I had. Fluffy, rose-combed birds. Wily, alert dispositions so they free range well. Roosters are very protective and can be aggressive, depending on breeder.
6. Plymouth Rocks may be one of the more perfect chickens, but sadly, like with other breeds, hatcheries have really botched up this breed (like they're doing with most of the breeds on this list). Generally good-natured birds that come in a nice variety of colors (usually white, partridge and barred). Lay and range well, and big enough for the table. *Single combed.
7. *Chanteclers were designed to be exceptionally cold-hardy (they're free ranged Canadian birds, after all). Come in several colors (white, partridge and buff) but are hard to find. A less popular breed (not terribly showy and pretty new as breeds go) that is basically a big Buckeye in more than one color. Have a super cold hardy pea comb.

If a mix of breeds: Welsummer, RIR, New Hampshire, Buckeyes, *Jersey Giant, any Brahma color but "light", bigger EEs.

1. EEs. I have some fricking huge ones here--seriously, one of these hens has to weigh ten pounds or more. EEs crossed with big breed roosters (usually with the aim of making green layers it seems) get really big. I have a bunch of 1/2 Brahma EE hens here, and they're just monstrous and likely to keep getting bigger as they continue to age. Stands to reason that other EE crosses are likely the same way. They're not a "breed" per se, so all colors are admissible, in their own way. All you're going to get from them is more variety. Wily, spunky, vigorous birds and fantastic layers. Pea combed with muffs and beards.
2. ***Jersey Giants are typically black but may show up in blue and white also. Big, generally friendly birds with slower growth. Reputed to taste very good. Have a single comb which needs to be protected from frostbite. Very handsome birds.
3. Welsummers, RIR, and NH only come in one color each (red or partridge) but all have the other qualities you're looking for in spades. Welsummers were voted the #1 breed to have in case of a zombie apocalypse. They're spunky, wonderful birds to have around. Everyone in this group has a single comb which may be prone to frostbite.
4. ***Buckeyes only come in red and have a pea comb which is right about impervious to cold. Other than as yard candy, they're perfect. Good quality birds are very firendly but take for freaking ever to grow up and get to decent weight.
5. Brahmas can come in a bunch of colors, but most of the ones you see that aren't "light" (Colombian) will be "dark" (silver penciled) or buff Colombian (both are stunning, imho). Watch out they don't get mites or frostbite on their feet because the feathers like to exacerbate both. Incredibly friendly, sweet birds. Never had a mean one. Light Brahmas are pretty popular, which means hatcheries have really screwed them up bad. Pea combed
6. ***Delaware only come in one color and it's pale, but they're still alive as a breed despite being free ranged all over the States. Reputedly somewhat feisty, hyper-vigilant about threats, and able to take care of themselves just fine, thank-you very much. Good layers with a decent weight. Can be used to make red sexlinks. Rose combed.

Also, try ducks. Pekins are a popular breed for a reason--they get to weight faster and bigger than chickens and lay like crazy. not much yard candy, but they're adorable. Swedish ducks come in two pretty colors, Cayuga in one (but it's gorgeous), Ancona are pretty and lay well. Look into ducks unless you hate the taste of duck meat. Rouen only come in one (but it's a mallard on steroids). Runners come in a rainbow, but they're strictly egg-laying and not worth the effort of eating, from what I understand.

 

[Faraday40]

So...EVERYONE....

If I want heritage/breeder quality birds that have the following characteristics, what would you all recommend:

-Primarily for eggs but dual purpose so if I have to process roos it will be worth it.
-Range smart but also nice personalities.
-Yard Candy....(I love that sfh are all different colors/land race so that all the colors are acceptable).
-Cold hardy.

Avoid white birds of any type.

Are you wanting one breed or a mix of breeds?

If one single breed that's a decent egg-laying, dual-purpose, friendly breed in a lot of colors that can be kept together throughout the year: Orpingtons, Marans, Sussex, Sumatra, Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks.

1. Marans come in a bunch of colors and the majority of them free range well and blend in surprisingly well (I'd avoid splash). Mine have been friendly and ranged well. Hens are good mommies and lay eggs from brick red to milk chocolate brown. Most colors are partridge or birchen based, seemingly. Single combed so watch for frostbite.
2. Orpingtons come in a rainbow, a big birds, lay well, profusely fluffy and sweet-natured. Most colors are solid. single combs can have frostbite.
3. Sussex are basically Orpingtons with an all-new variety of colors. A jubilee Orp is pretty much a speckled Sussex. Lord only knows why the colors have to get new brand names for skipping breeds. Sussex also come in "coronation" which is one of the prettiest varieties of chicken color I've ever seen (looks like a lavender Colombian). Big bodied, friendly, docile, pretty birds. "Speckled" is a dark red mille fleur, basically, and it's super pretty, too.
4. Sumatra are one of the prettier breeds on God's green earth. Come in lots of colors but super hard to find in most of those fancier colors. Can typically be found here in splash, blue and black, and they're all eye candy. Lay light brown eggs like crazy, from what I understand, and weigh a substantial amount more than you'd think (certainly worth eating). Chivalrous, alert roosters who are willing to give it their all defending the ladies. Pea combed and surprisingly cold hardy.
5. Wyandottes are the chicken rainbow with a trademark and cherry on top. They have a reputation for stubborn, somewhat aggressive dispositions, but I've yet to have a problem with them. Come in about every color known to poultry. Stunning birds. Mine laid super often and were one of the best layer I had. Fluffy, rose-combed birds. Wily, alert dispositions so they free range well. Roosters are very protective and can be aggressive, depending on breeder.
6. Plymouth Rocks may be one of the more perfect chickens, but sadly, like with other breeds, hatcheries have really botched up this breed (like they're doing with most of the breeds on this list). Generally good-natured birds that come in a nice variety of colors (usually white, partridge and barred). Lay and range well, and big enough for the table.

If a mix of breeds: Welsummer, RIR, New Hampshire, Buckeyes, any Brahma color but "light", bigger EEs.

1. EEs. I have some fricking huge ones here--seriously, one of these hens has to weigh ten pounds or more. EEs crossed with big breed roosters (usually with the aim of making green layers it seems) get really big. I have a bunch of 1/2 Brahma EE hens here, and they're just monstrous and likely to keep getting bigger as they continue to age. Stands to reason that other EE crosses are likely the same way. They're not a "breed" per se, so all colors are admissible, in their own way. All you're going to get from them is more variety. Wily, spunky, vigorous birds and fantastic layers.
2. Welsummers, RIR, NH and Buckeye only come in one color each (red or partridge), but all have the other qualities you're looking for in spades. Welsummers were voted the #1 breed to have in case of a zombie apocalypse. They're spunky, wonderful birds to have around.
3. Brahmas can come in a bunch of colors, but most of the ones you see that aren't "light" (Colombian) will be "dark" (silver penciled) or buff Colombian (both are stunning, imho). Watch out they don't get mites or frostbite on their feet because the feathers like to exacerbate both. Incredibly friendly, sweet birds. Never had a mean one. Light Brahmas are pretty popular, which means hatcheries have really screwed them up bad.

Also, try ducks. Pekins are a popular breed for a reason--they get to weight faster and bigger than chickens and lay like crazy. not much yard candy, but they're adorable. Swedish ducks come in two pretty colors, Cayuga in one (but it's gorgeous), Ancona are pretty and lay well. Look into ducks unless you hate the taste of duck meat. Rouen only come in one (but it's a mallard on steroids). Runners come in a rainbow, but they're strictly egg-laying and not worth the effort of eating, from what I understand.

Ask @jchny2000 for more info on possibly acquiring some of these breeds because she's looking to downsize and could use a good home for them. She has or has access to the vast majority of breeds on this list.

x2 on most of this.
White birds can attract predators b/c they're easy to spot. A whole flock may be too tempting for predators to avoid, but we do have a couple in our flock & they do just fine.

I'm a huge fan of orps! They're fantastic, affectionate, docile, & of a big size. I could go on & on.... However, they are not economical. They are slow to begin egg production as well as eat & poop a lot. They are my fav breed, but we must keep other thrifty breeds around to make up for the orps lower egg production. Mine have never gone broody, but my bantam orp makes up for it.

EEs are a big mix. I've never had a bad one but each bird has it's own personality & unique quirks. (one was a problem solver & escape artist, one was beautiful but dumb, one liked to chase the squirrels, one was fearless & would sneak up to steal food from any visitor's lunchbox.) Overall, I found my mixed breeds to be very healthy with good egg production.

Here are some of my pretty orps. The roos are very docile too.

 

[iamfivewire]

Not alot of breeders of White Chantecler around, as compared to many of the more "common/popular" breeds.
We have a small breeding flock, with emphasis to get as close to s.o.p. as we can, although we don't show them.
Our roo is a good flock protector & not a bad lookin' guy for being an all white bird.
The hens are fairly laid-back - not "cuddley" tho. They learn the "treat cup" pretty quickly as well as getting back to the coop in the evening.
They are also great foragers/free-rangeing.
Some can be broody.
They should have a cushion comb per breed standard, but some bumpy combs come out in some of the offspring. (a fairly well know area breeder in MI formerly bred them, & he mentioned that getting a good cushion comb is one of the most difficult traits to accomplish in breeding)
Cackle hatchery has some fairly decent stock for hatchery birds.
I don't have any recent photos to post of our birds

 

[iamfivewire]

here's a photo of "Leapy" enjoying his new home & girlfriends - he's 7 months old:

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

So wide awake after 230 am... @Indyshent t I do not have any other birds left to offer. Reading posts just not able to be here a lot. As far as layers and dual purpose, my experiences.
Leghorn are an awesome large white egg layer, and do earn their keep well. Roosters are pretty small, not much there for dual purpose ideals.
RIR really fit well for dual purpose! Good layers. "Production" Roosters can be real jerks. I tried to always keep a heritage bred rooster.
Love the rock breeds and Orpingtons. Both hardy, good layers and dual purpose. Eggs are slower maybe 4-5 eggs a week per hen.
Australorp didn't work for us, good layers but way too broody. Roosters were an issue! Tried 4 total all 4 were human aggressive.
Heritage and production breeds will always give different results. its all in what you want to spend on your chicks and if you plan, IF you want to breed.
We are down to very few chickens. I still have my Leghorn and some RIR. My best layers. And my OEGs, just pets honestly. I plan to be totally out of chickens and pigs soon. Having a hard time letting leghorn, RIR and the OEGs go

Looking at the feeders I have and a few heated water dishes.
Have to focus on being able to be gone a few days at a time.
We all chose a path for our life. My choice was to support, care for my parents the last few years I have them. From this point that's what I have to do. Chickens can be replaced, as much as I will miss them. My Mom not so much.