Looking for Breed Suggestions

[redranger209]

https://livestockconservancy.org/images/uploads/docs/pickachicken.pdf

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

Couple good comparison charts... funny how some people don't care what YOUR goals are and just tell you what they would do.

Well I meant what I would do with those goals, not if I was starting with chickens.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

So Sussex would be your top dual purpose breed? I'm just curious, I've been trying to decide on one more breed to add in.

As a dual purpose keepers... I like these breeds, in my experience with them. The Sussex being the over all human friendliest and easier to pluck than the Marans. Would choose all over Orps, which just grow to slow and are too heavily bodied for layers on my feed bill. Love rocks too.

Sooo many good birds!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Well I meant what I would do with those goals, not if I was starting with chickens.

I'm sorry, I have no room to speak.

Sounds like you will have an awesome grand adventure with whatever birds came your way!

So Sussex would be your top dual purpose breed? I'm just curious, I've been trying to decide on one more breed to add in.

I like the Marans a lot. But everyone who comes over likes the Speckled Sussex. They did dress easier, but we haven't sampled the meat yet. As far as breeding to the standard goes, they are easier than the Marans for sure. And should lay an extra egg or so per week once mature. Though their eggs may be a tad smaller than my Marans eggs which usually come in at extra large to jumbo but definitely only 3 per week.

That being said... I'm not stuck on dual purpose. I love my white faced black Spanish. They aren't super meaty but they are super fun to have on pasture and lay slightly smaller but still prolifically. We process the extra boys and that includes Silkies, Sussex, Marans!

I will admit the Wyandottes we processed were quite tasty. They didn't lay well enough, early enough for me and are a bit too broody. Just not my personal choice but maybe still a really good choice.

And lets NOT forget the Naked Neck Turken!

Are you kidding me you've gone and scratched that itch was semi subdued! Can you say chicken math?!

I didn't get to eat any of the Turken and sold them off before they started laying. But while they were here they were great and confident, friendly, INTERESTING birds. My processor absolutely thought they were fantastic! Sooo... maybe a consideration.

I truly recommend going with what you might love. Something you enjoy the look of and use it to feed your family. Things are never the same in reality as they are on paper.

My Marans are also broody and lay into their 4th year (my limit). I mean it's a good thing if you want to be semi sustainable. But it isn't always convenient. My Sussex haven't haven't been laying long enough to display their broodiness. I suspect they will be just as broody as many other breeds I have tried.

 

[jacka99]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was already interested in speckled sussex, buff orpingtons, wyandottes, and barred rocks so it is good to see that other people find them to be good birds. Anyone have experience with barnevelders, delewares, or new hampshires? Those where some other breeds I was looking at. Thanks in advance.

 

[av8torcrj]

I have cackle hatchery delawares. They are mild mannered hens and lay a light brown medium sized egg for me. I've produced some nice red sex links from them with my rir rooster. That being said, I'm getting some malformed and soft shelled eggs from them recently despite free range, a solid commercial diet and plenty of oyster shell, something I'm definitely not seeing in my other birds. Might just be one hen but I'm suspicious. I like the breed so well I got a pair from McMurray this year. They look like they will be good sized hens but they are very standoffish. I haven't been able to touch them since they were lifted from the shipping box. Conversely, 7 delawares from Ideal this summer are literally all over me, like day and night compared to the McMurray birds. Here is one of the young pullets this morning.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I didn't say Bielefelders were the only thing hatching in the incubator... They were just what I picked with dual purpose in mind. Marans are next, but I've been looking for one more breed to mix with them.

I'm sorry, I have no room to speak.

Sounds like you will have an awesome grand adventure with whatever birds came your way!


I like the Marans a lot. But everyone who comes over likes the Speckled Sussex. They did dress easier, but we haven't sampled the meat yet. As far as breeding to the standard goes, they are easier than the Marans for sure. And should lay an extra egg or so per week once mature. Though their eggs may be a tad smaller than my Marans eggs which usually come in at extra large to jumbo but definitely only 3 per week.

That being said... I'm not stuck on dual purpose. I love my white faced black Spanish. They aren't super meaty but they are super fun to have on pasture and lay slightly smaller but still prolifically. We process the extra boys and that includes Silkies, Sussex, Marans!

I will admit the Wyandottes we processed were quite tasty. They didn't lay well enough, early enough for me and are a bit too broody. Just not my personal choice but maybe still a really good choice.

And lets NOT forget the Naked Neck Turken!

Are you kidding me you've gone and scratched that itch was semi subdued! Can you say chicken math?!

I didn't get to eat any of the Turken and sold them off before they started laying. But while they were here they were great and confident, friendly, INTERESTING birds. My processor absolutely thought they were fantastic! Sooo... maybe a consideration.

I truly recommend going with what you might love. Something you enjoy the look of and use it to feed your family. Things are never the same in reality as they are on paper.

My Marans are also broody and lay into their 4th year (my limit). I mean it's a good thing if you want to be semi sustainable. But it isn't always convenient. My Sussex haven't haven't been laying long enough to display their broodiness. I suspect they will be just as broody as many other breeds I have tried.

 

[cottontail farm]

https://livestockconservancy.org/images/uploads/docs/pickachicken.pdf

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

Couple good comparison charts... funny how some people don't care what YOUR goals are and just tell you what they would do.

I was speaking of what I had done that worked for me: a couple of attractive breeds that lay a respectable amout of eggs for the house and also produce a bird with a decent size for cooking.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

delawares. They are mild mannered hens and lay a light brown medium sized egg for me.

We only had one hatchery Delaware. She was pretty, laid late, med size eggs, and was undersized compared to the SOP. Maybe just a bad example/sample but we chose not to pursue them as a breed.

Interesting to see how yours varied so widely from differing origins!

To be fair, I knew I was serious about the Marans and they came from breeders.

And I was pleasantly surprised by the size on some of Lav Ameraucana boys... But I knew less about processing back then and looking froward to trying them again, since I do love the blue eggs and their calm, confident demeanor.