Looking for beautiful Breeds

[Hen Chatter]

Everyone has their own reasons for raising chickens. I too like to watch my chickens, and the more colorful or with interesting variations - the better. I also like different egg colors. Beauty is also a personal choice, whether it's exotic or not, as you can see from all the postings. You might want to look at some of the large hatcheries online because they generally have pics of both the roos and the hens, including some exotics, if you haven't already done this. As far as broodiness, some breeds are better known for this than others, but it is still a variable. I personally think bantam silkies are great for this, not only are they small and cheaper to keep, they are hardy. In order to assure broodiness, find someone in your area who has a number of broody hens, and buy one that way. Unless they are trying to build a really large flock, being broody is considered a waste because they are no longer laying, so it can be a win-win situation for both of you. One broody hen will lay on a variety of eggs, not just her own, so you only need one to hatch out everyone's eggs. Good luck! FYI: everyone with extra eggs should consider donation. Although my local food bank can't say they will accept eggs because of food safety laws in my region, they will gladly take them in & provide extra cartons for more. They are in such need with this pandemic, it is a gift that is gladly received.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Everyone has their own reasons for raising chickens. I too like to watch my chickens, and the more colorful or with interesting variations - the better. I also like different egg colors. Beauty is also a personal choice, whether it's exotic or not, as you can see from all the postings. You might want to look at some of the large hatcheries online because they generally have pics of both the roos and the hens, including some exotics, if you haven't already done this. As far as broodiness, some breeds are better known for this than others, but it is still a variable. I personally think bantam silkies are great for this, not only are they small and cheaper to keep, they are hardy. In order to assure broodiness, find someone in your area who has a number of broody hens, and buy one that way. Unless they are trying to build a really large flock, being broody is considered a waste because they are no longer laying, so it can be a win-win situation for both of you. One broody hen will lay on a variety of eggs, not just her own, so you only need one to hatch out everyone's eggs. Good luck! FYI: everyone with extra eggs should consider donation. Although my local food bank can't say they will accept eggs because of food safety laws in my region, they will gladly take them in & provide extra cartons for more. They are in such need with this pandemic, it is a gift that is gladly received.

I have looked online, but I also like people's opinions. Also have not had luck relying on a hatchery defining broody, heat tolerant or cold tolerant.

And I don't care about egg production since i dont eat eggs. I'd much rather have broodies that I can rely on than eggs I just feed back to the birds

 

[Brigitt]

Yes, after some googling I am. They're so much leg!!!!! You're right, american games are beautiful? What causes management issues on roos?

The Roos can be extremely aggressive, the hens are very dedicated mother hens and get broody very easily

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

A junglefowl hybrid would probably meet your criteria.

 

[Hen Chatter]

Because American games tend to be aggressive, they have been used for illegal fighting. I had one & didn't know about this tendency, until it decided to attack my 100 lb. dog - the only chicken my dog ever killed. He has caught other birds but never hurt them, but this roo would not stop fighting back aggressively. Because of my ignorance, I didn't take extra care with it as a chick, but from what I understand, it may not have mattered, but taming it from the start is the only way to try. I agree, the hens are known to be broody.

 

[Hen Chatter]

A junglefowl hybrid would probably meet your criteria.

View attachment 2368566

 

[Hen Chatter]

This looks like a French copper marans plus something else. Is it a marans/junglefowl cross? It is the roo I have, along with 2 hens for the chocolate colored eggs, plus others for "bird watching", a blue/red laced wyandotte, speckled sussex, prairie bluebell egger, & a couple of buff orpington for friendliness and egg production.

 

[Ruthster55]

You don’t eat eggs?!

If you don’t eat (or sell-give away) any of their eggs, the sky is the limit!

If you don’t want to eat or sell any of the eggs, you probbly want a broody breed or mix.

I have more than one broody hen at the moment,with which I have been generous about letting them set eggs, but I can’t imagine not eating my flock’s eggs at least once in a while. Maybe not every day...but when I’m hungry....or when the chickens are hungry....scrambled in olive oil....

As far as beautiful chickens go, Phoenixes are close to the top of the possibilities.

Do you like hard-feathered or soft, floofy chickens? Those are like opposites, but I love both.

I think that soft feathers and feathered legs are incredibly cute, but I also admire the intelligence and self-reliance of hard-feathered Game-type chickens.

I have a few of each.

Soft-feathered peeps are cute and sociable, but need to be trained to go to the correct roost at night.

Game types need more individual housing....they are highly-intelligent but can get into chicken-mischief.

 

[black_cat]

As far as beautiful chickens go, Phoenixes are close to the top of the possibilities.

OP already has Phoenixes, I believe. I agree that they are stunnign!

 

[Ruthster55]

With the Game breeds, the roosters will fight based on instinct, not because horrible people force them to do that.

Abe Lincoln laughed about that type of chickens. He said let them fight...m

Personally, I prefer the cute and floofy soft-feathered chickens.