Is there a breed that you’ve had that you would absolutely not have again?

[Buckeye Amy]

This is a good question. I have to say, and I've said it before, but I HATE RIRs. HATE them. I know people who have them and love them. I understand also that the heritage RIRs are much nicer. However, I've never had a good experience with them, even when they are used to create hybrids. Some of that meanness still comes through.

Also, I had one batch of Wyandottes that turned out to be feather pickers. I could not figure out why. I'd never had that problem until I tried them! I have one left and she's getting butchered in the fall. I'm sure it was a one-off experience but I definitely am reluctant to give them another try, even though I think they are beautiful!

 

[Cryss]

How on earth would I keep their area dry.

Unless there’s a drought that is

They are in the highest part of the yard and have 400+ square feet of Fort Knox run but it’s still going to get rained in

Rain isn’t a problem. Mine love the rain. It’s more about thick mud or icy puddles. Small amounts of mud will fall off as it dries. Thick plots of sticky mud will coat legs an feathers make it worse. You actually sound like you’re in good shape on high ground. Wood chips from a tree service will update absorb excess in puddles. I wouldn’t worry about feathered feet. My coop and run in n a low spot on a gradual slope. Wood chips handle it very well.

 

[Peaches Lee]

Mediterranean breeds or any breed with a giant, fleshy comb. My winters are too cold for them. I will say I'm not really fond of the flighty, spooky behavior either. The ones I've had have all been super nice, just a bit dramatic for my taste.

 

[AngieDawn]

Mediterranean breeds or any breed with a giant, fleshy comb. My winters are too cold for them. I will say I'm not really fond of the flighty, spooky behavior either. The ones I've had have all been super nice, just a bit dramatic for my taste.

Excuse my ignorance but what are Mediterranean breeds? And how cold is “too cold”. I’m in northern maryland close to PA line so it can get pretty cold here.

 

[Cryss]

Excuse my ignorance but what are Mediterranean breeds? And how cold is “too cold”. I’m in northern maryland close to PA line so it can get pretty cold here.

I see @Peaches Lee is in Pennsylvania. I am in Northwest New Jersey near the Delaware Water Gap. We 3 are in relatively similar temperatures. You’re in a very slightly warmer location. I have a Lavender Orpington rooster with a very tall comb. Orpington are large breeds well adapted to colder areas. I also have a Leghorn with a huge floppy over one eye kinda comb. Where you are I don’t think you’d have problems with combs provided, and this is key, provided you have adequate ventilation. Also have no overcrowding issues as that can reduce ventilation efficiency.

 

[Punkybrewster]

Rhode Island Reds.
Way to aggressive for me. Even the heritage ones. We had them when I was little, I tried them again as an adult. I swear those roosters want to kill you. Like, poke your eyes out and kill you.

 

[Peaches Lee]

Excuse my ignorance but what are Mediterranean breeds? And how cold is “too cold”. I’m in northern maryland close to PA line so it can get pretty cold here.

Mediterranean is a means of classifying your chickens in show. Ancona, Minorca, Andalusian (plus more that I can't think of) would be considered Mediterranean.

I live in Northern PA across from Lake Erie, lake effect snow and below zero temperatures are pretty normal in winter. I feel like southern PA is a whole other country in regards to weather, and by proxy, MD too. Much warmer and Spring comes earlier!

 

[Uff Da]

I raise Mediterranean-type chickens (Icelandics) with huge combs in Montana just fine. We get weeks of weather under -20. You have to make sure you have a big coop with lots of ventilation. Also, don't keep the water in the coop. (And no, Iceland is not very cold so its chickens don't have special adaptations for living in sub-zero temps.)

I tried silkies and won't get them again. They just couldn't take farm life. I think they are best as backyard pets.

 

[NatJ]

I’m just curious if there are any breeds that you would stay away from and why

My personal preferences:

Not feathered feet. (Had Light Brahmas once. Wonderful chickens--but those feet were always a mess. So I developed a dislike of feathered feet.)

No feathers that interfere with vision (floppy crests, large muffs). I want my chickens to be able to see, and I don't want to have to trim feathers to make that possible.

I wouldn't want males with super-long tails, either: dragging on the ground is when I would consider it too long.

I have no personal experience with silkies, frizzles, short legs, 5th toes, naked necks, or no-tails. None of them appeal to me, and I worry that silkie or frizzle feathers might not be as good in wet or cold weather.

Pea combs are my favorites, small single combs are OK, but I really dislike large floppy combs. I'm not fond of the appearance of rose combs either, or the different nostril shapes that go with V-combs. Part of the reason I like pea combs is because they usually come with smaller wattles--I prefer the trim appearance, rather than large dangly wattles that some other breeds get (more obvious on roosters, but I see the difference even on hens.)

I know that for each trait I dislike, there is someone out there that really likes it--so they aren't bad chickens, just not the chickens for me

 

[DutchChickMom]

I'm just a starter, but have to agree with @NatJ , I too have a preference for the more 'natural', balanced look; No weird feathering (only exeption maybe for a bit bearded like Barbu d'Anvers) like different feathertype, crests, legfeathering, extremely long tails etc. , Just a simple single comb, or almost missing, Normal sized legs and Balanced position (not upright).
But I'm like that with any (pet) species; cats and dogs no flat noses or too short legs, pigeons no short beaks, high posture etc, fish no debilitating long fins/weird heads/eyes etc