Need to help a friend choose a chicken

[bryan8]

Well my friend wants to get some chickens. He wants to get 4 banties. But I need to have a few questions answered and pick the best breed. He's wants a good cold hardy breed. It can get well below frezeibg here in ny. Also he wants a good egg layer and a breed that can forage well. Also hr wants them to be friendly. Can this be achived in bantie breeds?

Thanks

 

[hinkjc]

If bantam araucana lay as well as large fowl, that is what I would recommend. Our lf araucana are winter hardy and lay very well. They have pea comb, so less risk of frostbite.

Our bantam pyncheon do well in winter too, but are not reliable layers and tend to get frost bite on the males on occasion.

 

[nicalandia]

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I agree

 

[Marlinchaser]

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Thats a big IF

 

[bryan8]

Any other breeds? Were useing ideal and they only have st run

 

[Marlinchaser]

If you put in your requirements to MPC breedfinder:

EE(I know not quite the same) is the only one that come up as reliable egg layer

If you drop egg reliability to somewhat important, Silkies also come up.



Cant you just talk him into REAL chickens then I could recommend Buckeyes.

 

[The Wolf Queen]

RIRs bantam and standard are always friendly

 

[Marlinchaser]

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Most hatcheries dont really sell Arucana, they will be EE's, and bantams are usuallly not sold sexed.

 

[Katy]

Years ago I had some bantam wyandottes and they layed well. They are also very cold hardy. I didn't free range mine so I don't know how well they'd do with that.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
Does Ideal have bantam Brahma's very friendly, not sure about egg laying though