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

[ShirleyGail]

Rhode Island Red rooster was too big and heavy and hurt the hens. Leghorns were flighty, did not fare well being free range. Had cochins and buff orpingtons that did wonderful but not long lived in cold weather. BO rooster was a dollbaby. My favorite for 3 years has been black and amber sex links though roosters were too aggressive, to hens and to ME, their mama. After Urgent Care visit for infected flogging site #2, the last one went. (RIR heritage) I now have only 3 hens, 1 amber, 2 black, get 3 eggs most days. Amber has layed all winter!!! and just now slacking off her laying. They were never broody tho. I got some at Rural King, supposed to be all female, had 7 roosters and 5 hens. Beware. I did not know how to choose sex link by coloring.

 

[Mayflower]

I have an adoption bunch from Meyers (Easter egger Jersey giant polish etc) and now 2 brahma and 1 lavender Orpington

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

I will never have Buff Orpingtons again. Not because they weren't great chickens. I loved my Buff Orpingtons, but I live in Central Arkansas, which is very hot and humid in the summer. I found that of all my chicken breeds, the Orpingtons could not tolerate the hot weather and I could tell that they were just miserable. I felt so sorry for them. I keep to breeds that I know do well in the heat.

 

[Chickassan]

Minorcas, too many wattle injures but they are beautiful birds.
Those giant flopping wattles though catch all sorts of hell.
Rhode Island reds, again gorgeous birds the sun just makes their colors so lovely!
Attitudes though, they butt heads with other hens.....they butt heads with ME lol!

 

[TheFarm41]

We don't like most of the sexlinks the Red Star in particular. Beautiful birds, great layers but they don't weigh enough and can fly like crazy, even if their wings are clipped. We call them the ninja chickens. I once saw one run and flap it wings and jump into the chain link fence. It made it about 6' high, then grabbed on with its feet and scaled the rest of the way over. We have about 60 chickens and an acre fenced, the only ones that get out are the handful of Red Star sexlinks. We rotate our flock on pasture in the summer and use electric poultry netting, that didn't keep them in either.

Last month we made the Chicken Brig, it is completely fenced with a fishing net stretched tight over the top and lashed down. They are not super happy, but staying put and not tearing up our gardens anymore. We've decided the fat bottom girls like Orphingtons and Australorps are better for us. The Brahmas are great can't seem to fly at all, but they are not super high egg production.

Anyone have ideas on how to keep chickens from flying out? I thought maybe putting a ball and chain around their leg. lol.

 

[seraphine]

Silkies... I’ve never have great success with them in a mixed (bantam) flock.

 

[seraphine]

my silkies get along just fine with my buff op and easter egger

 

[Chickassan]

Iv'e heard trimming one wing ends up just making them kinda barrel roll instead of fly.
The dominiques have been my only fence jumpers and they grew out of it.
Really did not want to clip those girls, they're smart and would undoubtedly make me pay somehow.

We don't like most of the sexlinks the Red Star in particular. Beautiful birds, great layers but they don't weigh enough and can fly like crazy, even if their wings are clipped. We call them the ninja chickens. I once saw one run and flap it wings and jump into the chain link fence. It made it about 6' high, then grabbed on with its feet and scaled the rest of the way over. We have about 60 chickens and an acre fenced, the only ones that get out are the handful of Red Star sexlinks. We rotate our flock on pasture in the summer and use electric poultry netting, that didn't keep them in either.

Last month we made the Chicken Brig, it is completely fenced with a fishing net stretched tight over the top and lashed down. They are not super happy, but staying put and not tearing up our gardens anymore. We've decided the fat bottom girls like Orphingtons and Australorps are better for us. The Brahmas are great can't seem to fly at all, but they are not super high egg production.

Anyone have ideas on how to keep chickens from flying out? I thought maybe putting a ball and chain around their leg. lol.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Rooster. Yup. My Lavender Orpington rooster tried that one too many times. I’m a softy. He’s too pretty to cull. I gave him a bachelor pad. My hens are lovey dovey. In your case it’s gender not breed. I have 3 Marans hens. Of all my birds (10 different breeds) these three are the friendliest. They follow me and vie for my attention.
I’ve seen that people love barred Rock. I had 2 that were such bullies I rehomed them. I’ve seen people say Silver Laced Wyandotte are aggressive. I have one. She protected the object of the BR bullies. She avoids me but she’s very friendly with the flock.
Breed can be an indicator of temperament but individuals can go against the norm.
I swore I’d never have any breed with feathered feet. I just didn’t want the problem of wet, muddy, frozen foot feathers. Now my favorites are my Marans.
Now I say “ no silkies”. Fussy care. Low egg production. No thanks.

I agree, Marans are really sweet! I think you can get some that don’t have feathered feet, mine doesn’t. I didn’t want the feathered feet because of the way chickens always seem to step in their poo! I keep everything super clean, but if there is even one piece of poo, it seems like my chickens will step in it!

 

[CMash]

I have two Cochins, I live in South Florida and they seem just fine with the heat. They are lovely and very sweet. However they are not too bright. One of mine still cant find her way into the coop at night. Its like having a spoiled child all over again. She stands there and cries for me to put her into the coop. I have to say I would get them again, as they are so soft and lovely to pet.

 

[BDutch]

Anyone have ideas on how to keep chickens from flying out? I thought maybe putting a ball and chain around their leg. lol.

I have chickens that can fly a little. In my case it is great ti have free ranging chickens who are able to flee from dogs and other predators during day-time.

I have a covered run of 15m2 (10’ x 15’?) for my small bantams. If necessary they can stay in the coop+run whole day. When nobody is at home they stay inside. If possible we let them free range a few hours each day.

The run has predator-bird netting on top and proven to be safe for 5 years now. To keep the chickens in and keep predators out (during daytime).

P.s. I love my chickens. No reason not to want Dutch bantams or naine de Tournaisis in the future. The Dutch are friendlier, the Tournaisis are better layers. Because I am curious I prefer trying another bantam breed next year. Reading about silkies and polish I definitely wont buy fertile eggs of those feather balls.