Need help choosing a new breed to raise

[Alex#242]

Just a little background I have raised chickens since I was a teenager. I used to raise Rhode Island Reds, leghorns, barred rocks, buff orphingtons and royal palm turkeys. As the years have passed I have quit and now raise only silkies. I’m looking to add another breed and start another flock . I have been debating on a few breeds: Cochins, polish,cemanis, australorps, lavender orphington, brahmas. I really like breeds that are semi docile. Egg or meat production aren’t really important to me. I mostly raise chickens for pleasure. I do sell birds occasionally to help cover costs. I like raising breeds that are different or unusual. I live in Kentucky so the weather is extremely hot in summer and cold in winter. I don’t free range anymore due to predators. Any suggestions or any breeds I’m over looking would be appreciated thank you.

 

[Welshies]

I would advise against Brahmas if you get snow. Their feathered feet accumulate snow and ice balls, making them prone to frostbite. They are large, and slow to mature (36-40 wks).
Orpingtons are fairly popular. As are cochins and australorps. Cemanis will be quite expensive.
I suggest you look into Wyandottes. They are super colorful and super friendly. By far my favorite breed. They're cold and heat hardy, fairly docile, and good layers of large brown eggs. They mature at the average rate to about 8 pounds, making them also good for meat. They are very popular and eye catching making it easy to sell eggs for eating or hatching.

 

[Folly's place]

I also like Wyandottes a lot. Nice dual purpose birds, many beautiful colors, and friendly. Some good broodies too. Blue laced reds are very in demand too.
Mary

 

[Percheron chick]

What are the breeds that have the best stock? What breeds have a good demand and can make some $$ to continually improve your birds? Are you interested in project colors? I would select lavender orpington (good demand and better than average price for a chick) and golden laced brahma (project color) from your list. Ayam cemani seem to have genetic problems cropping up front the limited numbers and all birds originating from one source. My list is golden laced brahma, Brabanter and isabella leghorn. I'm all about eye candy.