new chicks for 4-H project?

[creative.hortic]

we are getting some new chicks for my sons 4-H project ( the fair) and were wondering what breeds would be the best for him, seeing as we want eggs too! we currently have 6 wyandottes and will be getting rid of 3 to make room for the newbies. anyone have any ideas for us based on your experiences? we are also in wisconsin, so we need some winter hardy girls...nothing too tempermental either. help?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know the categories open to you, what the judging criteria is, or how good your judge is. This will be different for a lot of us. That makes it hard to get too specific on recommendations.

If you are just looking for a production breed, it may not matter that much. With a 4-H group, there should be a category that fits abut any chicken. But if you have a pretty well qualified judge that does understand the standards, your best bet is to not get a hatchery chicken but search for a decent breeder in your area, someone that breeds birds for show. You can search for Buckeyes, Chanteclers or Wyandottes, those with the small combs, but in reality any of the dual purpose breeds should suit your purposes. I'm leaving the EE's off because there are no breed standards for them and Ameraucanas are not considered real good layers. They are all winter hardy, you just have to watch out for frostbite. You'll probably be showing them before frostbite is a concern anyway.

Since it is 4-H, talk to your county extension agent. They should be involved in 4-H to start with and they probably know some breeders in your area. Many chicken people are willing to help out 4-Hers.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Lofty Dreams]

If I were you I would avod chickens with crests and feathered feet and more of the large birds if he cant handle them and territorial chickens

 

[TheReidHomestead]

How old is your son? If he is small or on the younger side, and will be doing showmanship with the bird, I'd look at bantams. It's really hard for the younger kids to do showmanship with a Large Fowl bird, they are just too big for them to handle easily. There are some really nice bantam wyandottes out there, they have the rose comb which would be good if you are in a cold climate. Make sure you have more than one for him to work with so he has a "back-up" bird, just in case his bird decides to molt at the wrong time, or gets sick, or any other unforseen circumstances.

 

[LeBlackbird]

My first project birds were silkies

fun little fluffy butts XD they lived a long time, and were sweet birds! But above all, my ameraucanas are my favorites...

 

[creative.hortic]

thanks so much for your input...i didnt know that EE's were poor layers. learn something new every day. my son is 8 and is really good at tackling the big birds, but maybe cuz of space limits, a bantam breed would be best. i will let you know what happens in another post i am sure!! THANKS

 

[Ridgerunner]

I did not say that EE's were poor layers. I said there are no breed standards for them, which means there are no standards to judge them by. There are no skin color, comb type, body conformation, feather colors, or patterns that define an EE. The only definition is that EE's have the blue egg gene. I have an EE that lays a green egg about 6 days a week. I figure that is pretty good.

EE's are cross-bred with about every breed there is to produce those blue or green eggs. If they have been crossed with good egg layers and selected to breed back the good egg layers, EE's can be great egg layers. There are no standards for them so how do you judge them?

It is the Ameraucanas that have a reputation for not being great layers. The individuals can be good layers but as a breed they are not known to be. There are breed standards for them so they can be judged. Egg laying was one of your criteria.

Sorry I was not clear.