Newbie Wants Chickens With a Little Attitude!

[Michael OShay]

If you want big personality, game chickens are the answer. I have three hens and they are the bossiest, loudest and fiercest chickens in the group. No one messes with the game girls, not even the roosters! They're very curious chickens, and while mine are flighty and not really too friendly, I got them as adults. We recently raised a game/Marans cross, and those chicks were super friendly. They're wary of the cat (who is too lazy to try hunt chickens) and ignore our larger dog who keeps out of their way, but they've chased my sister's little dog if it gets too close to them. If you ever want to hatch chicks, they are also awesome moms.

The cons are they're loud! They fuss a lot and generally make a racket. They are really good at flying too. They go broody a lot and ours stop laying around the end of September/October or so without any extra light, but our started laying again in late December/early January this year. We have one that lays small eggs, one that lays medium eggs, and one that lays large eggs.

x2 on the game chickens. Brahmas are very large chickens, but mine have always been very docile (even the roosters).

 

[theoldchick]

While game hens are feisty they they can be difficult to keep in a small area. They like to perch high in trees and may be difficult to catch once they get out of the yard. They will fly over fences and think nothing of ripping into the neighbor's flower patch.

What you may want to try is a group of hens who have already been exposed to a yappy little dog and have learned to ignore the noise. Buff Orpingtons are a nice starter breed and seem to be sturdy enough to handle daily life in the city. Chickens can adapt to just about anything if they have a good coop to get away from predators. Dominiques (sometimes called Domineckers by us Southern folks) are also a sturdy, fiesty breed that you may enjoy.

Good luck!

 

[RAnst4038]

Just look at all the breeds and get what you want. If you want low maintenance and eggs you can't beat Golden, Comets/ Golden or Black Sex Links is what they are listed as in the breeds list.
Anything that is a ( Rock / Rhode Island Cross). With Ameraucana & Easter Eggers that are really close you can end up with anything. Sweet, mean, lay or don't lay. Best thing to do is go to a local who knows there chickens and ask for a mean hen that's already a proven layer. I got my 4 that way & 2 are sweet & 2 are mean, $15 each.
There are no bad dogs just bad owners. It's not your child it's not your baby it's a dam dog. Get a shock collar!

 

[emma p]

Hello Earth To Emma! Cindy just said she can't have a Rooster.

Yeah that is why I said NORMALLY and then gave her a recommendation of breed.

I was just trying to help... I do not have very much experience with game birds so I just did not know.

But it looks like Cindy is getting some good advice now so that makes me happy

 

[cmajestro]

Thanks for the info, busychicks!!

Cindy in WV

 

[Kev]

While game hens are feisty they they can be difficult to keep in a small area. They like to perch high in trees and may be difficult to catch once they get out of the yard. They will fly over fences and think nothing of ripping into the neighbor's flower patch.

What you may want to try is a group of hens who have already been exposed to a yappy little dog and have learned to ignore the noise. Buff Orpingtons are a nice starter breed and seem to be sturdy enough to handle daily life in the city. Chickens can adapt to just about anything if they have a good coop to get away from predators. Dominiques (sometimes called Domineckers by us Southern folks) are also a sturdy, fiesty breed that you may enjoy.

Good luck!

This is the right answer.

Game HENS are really feisty mostly only when they have chicks. Rest of the time they can be "nervous screaming wrecks" when 'confronted'. Also due to your set up, those are the two reasons you need to avoid all game breeds. If you are set on game breed, go for Oriental games, they can be generally calmer and quieter yet just have as much 'attitude'. A possible problem is if two hens get in a disagreement.. they can get into a fight.. and the loser likely will be killed because she can't really get away while inside a coop.

The right answer would be big heavy calm hens that tolerate confinement very well. This means they can be cooped up for long periods of time and still run a low risk of engaging in behaviors like feather picking, fighting, digging up the whole bedding etc. Big and heavy means it will not be easy for them to hop the fence into the neighbor yards.. there is always wing clipping though.

Calm birds are also a plus as in not engaging in "excitable" behaviors- a sqawking or panicking or aggressive hen is far more likely to excite the dog into hyper yapping or running around.. calm behaviors are 'boring' and the dog hopefully will lose interest over time.

It is a very good point though, it is your dog, if the yapping is a problem- you need to become the owner and take measures to make the dog calm down. Put a long leash on and when it starts to run at or starts to bark, give a correction. If it walks up calmly and shows interest by sniffing that is good.

Once the dog is calmed down, you will be able to enjoy both the dog and chickens coexisting and not worry about the neighbors either.

 

[cmajestro]

That sounds like great advice! My dog isn't outside much anyway, usually just long enough to go to the bathroom in the fenced backyard and then come back inside. I do have a cat who likes to hunt and eat what he catches, so I probably should always keep the hens in the coop (I'm supposed to under our new urban farming law, anyway). I think Orpingtons are really pretty, and they come in such nice colors!!

Cindy in WV

 

[Kev]

Great choice, Orps are a very popular breed.

One more advise- if not overly concerned with 'looks' then those from feed store or hatchery will do. But if you prefer those that are way big, fluffy etc like in pictures, best to contact private backyard breeders.

Have fun building the coop and picking out your favorite breed!

 

[cmajestro]

Oh, I want pretty chickens!!

Cindy in WV

 

[cmajestro]

What is the best way for me to find backyard breeders who would sell me pretty female Orpington chicks, Kev?

Cindy in WV