Newbie breed question:

[ChickenHearted]

Hello all...

What a great website...

Have purchased 78 acres and have always wanted to experiment with genetics and after traveling to Asia a lot, think colorful and feathery chickens are cool.

So I would like to start up.

I live in MN.

I really like the Silkies... but are they good for anything other then looks?
I am assuming the eggs are too small to really eat, and too cute with dark meet to eat.

Is there another larger breed that would give me some the "handsome good looks" of the silkies with more "usefulness"? Or am I selling the silkies short?

I have some ideas, but would like to hear peoples comments to see if my research is correct.

Sorry about the newbie question... This forum really needs a good search feature. IMHO

EDIT: Would also like to add... don't mind paying "extra" for real quality from standards breeders who are willing to get me off on the right foot. I do understand sharing one's success needs to be rewarded.

Thanks
Perry

 

[SportTees]

Quote:
There are allot of chickens that look good to different people like Araucana. The silkies are very broody. Allot of the ones that look good aren't good for much more. What are you looking for meat or eggs or both? Some of the feather legged varieties of chickens are pretty and good for other things to.

Check out the field guide to chickens by pam percy it may help or feathersite.com

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Dont know anything about silkies, so.....


But anyway, i suggest Brahmas.

They come in 3 colors, they are LARGE and good meat birds, and they are apparently great layers from the research I've done. They have feathered feet/shanks, and are docile enough to be pets. They are in the Asiatic class.



If you want something more exhibition like, you could get cochins.....but their not that great for meat or eggs.

 

[citalk2much]

Cochins are really great make good mothers
Faverolle stunning good layers and listed as meat bird
Brahma wow beautiful great layers and again listed as a meat bird
Langshan I just love these have eggs in the bator now. Listed as good layers and meat birds

 

[ChickenHearted]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Will look into one's I haven't yet. (Brahmas, Langshan, and Araucana)

As to what I am after... well eating them is not a big deal to me... just I want to really work with genetics so want to cull and hate to "waste" them or give them away and have to deal with that. So not that I want them for eating... but so I don't feel bad culling... sounds cruel but... trying to be a realist.

Eggs... sure why not... fresh is always better but not to sell or anything just for own use.

On my short list before posting was Faverolles and Cochins

 

[ChickenHearted]

Ok both the Brahmas and Araucana are interesting... Especially the Araucana given their unusual look... are there active breeders of these on here?

One breed that seems interesting to me as well is Dorking... but also listed as rare.

 

[citalk2much]

I have araucana eggs also in the bator from hickjc. Jody is great and also gets into gentics.

 

[SportTees]

Quote:
More people have Americana's but there are a few on here that have true Araucana's also. I wish I could remember who?? Also try searching for chicken projects or genetics on here. I know some are trying to make red orp's and barred orp's

 

[Judy]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=47494

There IS a good search tool here. This link explains how it works.

 

[Henk69]

If you really fancy genetics you should go for chickens with decent color patterns (take a look at my website henk69.nl , scroll down for chickens ) .
I have a lot of projects myself and I wouldn't mind if the hens would not lay as much as they do. I have a real egg problem.
Culling and eating don't mix. Culling should be done far ahead of the eating stage.
You don't want the overhead of all those future culls.