Looking for a New Breed

[Texas4T]

I do like Ameraucanas, but it's so difficult to find good breeders who know the difference!
I might start with Orpingtons and then add in some Ameraucanas later.

You can check the breed clubs for breeders...Orpingtons or Ameraucanas. That's what I did, and I got some hatching eggs. Also, look at poultry shows and meet people. They tell you about other people that are breeding good birds. Generally, I found the folks to be helpful and friendly.

 

[Calendula]

Thanks so much for the help, guys!
I'm located in the lower part of Michigan... near Chicago.

 

[minihorse927]

My English orpingtons have no issues breeding.

 

[Calendula]

Well what I read lied... I still think I'm leaning more towards the American variety.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

So I've recently decided to take another dip in the poultry pool and get serious about chickens (and maybe one day ducks or pigeons).
I just need to pick a breed or two to focus on.
So far, I've loved the Barred Rocks for their gentle, curious nature and the Ameracaunas for their egg color. And we also have a pair of Buff Orpingtons that I am partial to for the laidback nature of the rooster.
So, I would like something dual purpose so that I can focus on show, meat, and eggs.
I would also like a breed that is docile with non aggressive roosters. Broody would also be nice.
Also, a breed that can come in multiple colors would be nice because I love genetics, but isn't necessary.
Thanks for any suggestions!

Oh if I was going off this list, and because you already have a little start with them I'd defiantly be going Orpingtons.
They may not be better dual purpose chickens than say the RIR or Australorp but they are still good and make up for it in being a little more broody, capable of covering twice the amount of eggs and they tend to me a much more relaxed breed. They are also very Winter hardy.
However, aggressive birds are also down to the individual so you can't 100% say all your roosters will be kind.
The only cons I'd say with the Orps are, as above, not the top dual breed and also they can be quite susceptible to weight gain which lead to other problems.

I am not a huge fan of the Araucana or Ameraucana's so that's why the second option I'll suggest is the Cream Legbars if you are after that interesting egg colour. They lay a pale blue egg I believe, very prolific in their laying, perhaps not as broody as you Orps (much like a Leghorn) but you can colour sex them as chicks and they are a hardy breed. Not too sure on temperament. They are a Mediterranean breed so could be flighty and not as calm.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Well what I read lied... I still think I'm leaning more towards the American variety.

It wasn't necessarily untrue - many birds with heavy "fluff in the area of the vent can encounter breeding difficulties and for some breeds/birds within a breed, trimming is needed to facilitate better fertility.

 

[Calendula]

The Cream Legbars sound interesting... I would be fine with them not being broody. I already have two or three brooders and an incubator, anyway. I just like seeing the mother with her chicks. And it's easier on me.
Are the Legbars dual purpose or would they be too skinny for meat?

 

[Calendula]

OK... I could live with some trimming. Thank you!

 

[cluckcluckluke]

The Cream Legbars sound interesting... I would be fine with them not being broody. I already have two or three brooders and an incubator, anyway. I just like seeing the mother with her chicks. And it's easier on me.
Are the Legbars dual purpose or would they be too skinny for meat?

Yeah they are a pretty unknown breed (well here in Aus anyway) but over your way you should be able to get them fairly easily and I doubt you'd have the problem of getting 'fakes' like with the Ameraucana's. Just maybe make sure the lines are SOP or what you are after.

Well I do think they are a bit meatier than the Leghorns and Ive been able to get some good roast chickens from my overflow Leghorn roosters.
They are more an egg production bird but you'd still be able to make good stuff from them meat wise. It depends on what you want the meat for? Just a family of 4-6 yeah I think they'd be fine. You want to sell this product to make some money probably not.

 

[Calendula]

Hmm... better egg production would be nice, and I could just sell the meat to neighbors, family, friends, etc. who would be fine with a smaller carcass. I will definitely check them out. How much do they typically weigh? Are they winter hardy?