Official BYC Poll: How Long Have You Been Raising Chickens?

[Sir Winston]

All right , I'll chime in! Have had chickens , unbroken streak , since 1996 when a brother off loaded a few Plymouth Rock chicks from his brother-in-law. Had them sporadically before that , across a 10 year period. I enjoy them for their eggs & antics .... and their fertilizer! Have had the above mentioned Rocks, Austrolorps, Buff Orpingtons , Speckled Sussex (a fave). Currently have one Speckled Sussex left (she's 8 ) , one Austrolorp (young) and decided to try a white egg layer - Blue Andalusians(4). At that point of flock rebuilding mode , and not sure if I want to try another breed I haven't had , as I DO like the Sussex.... but have that urge for something exotic - yet still a good egg layer and occasionally broody (with the Sussex had chicks for years, till some hawks and old age kinked the cycle).

Open to suggestions, enjoy yer birds!

 

[Folly's place]

@Sir Winston, I also like SS and have had at least one hen for a long time. Not so good luck with SS roosters, half were polite, the other half were attack birds, so we never bred them.
Consider Buckeyes, French Marans, and Chanteclers, also Easter Eggers and Barnevelders. All nice birds, and egg color variety is fun.
Mary

 

[Sir Winston]

@Sir Winston, I also like SS and have had at least one hen for a long time. Not so good luck with SS roosters, half were polite, the other half were attack birds, so we never bred them.
Consider Buckeyes, French Marans, and Chanteclers, also Easter Eggers and Barnevelders. All nice birds, and egg color variety is fun.
Mary

Hello Mary! Never had a issue with SS roosters, but fortunately never got many roos in a brood.
Thanks for the input, will be looking into those you listed , the Barnevelders had been on my "short list". All the best -Jack

 

[BackyardinWales]

I watched 'A Chick Called Albert' on youtube hatch shop bought eggs and wondered if I could hatch any.

My first couple of tries failed and then I bought an incubator and 6 fertile eggs and had three hatch. One rooster and two pullets. No clue on their breed, but hatched more since, but down to five girls.

I wish I'd started years ago, I love it!!
My hens Mo and Ezzy, and the girls in front of their new cwt.

 

[chickengr]

All right , I'll chime in! Have had chickens , unbroken streak , since 1996 when a brother off loaded a few Plymouth Rock chicks from his brother-in-law. Had them sporadically before that , across a 10 year period. I enjoy them for their eggs & antics .... and their fertilizer! Have had the above mentioned Rocks, Austrolorps, Buff Orpingtons , Speckled Sussex (a fave). Currently have one Speckled Sussex left (she's 8 ) , one Austrolorp (young) and decided to try a white egg layer - Blue Andalusians(4). At that point of flock rebuilding mode , and not sure if I want to try another breed I haven't had , as I DO like the Sussex.... but have that urge for something exotic - yet still a good egg layer and occasionally broody (with the Sussex had chicks for years, till some hawks and old age kinked the cycle).

Open to suggestions, enjoy yer birds!

I have silkies, egyptian fayoumis, pita pinta asturiana and dutch bantams. didn't want any more breeds but araucanas are on my mind. they are active foragers, don't eat a lot and lay a lot of beautiful blue eggs. I find them suitable for the hard times (I see coming). egyptian fayoumis would be able to survive foraging and with little kitchen scrap but they don't lay for about 5-6 months a year. pita pinta asturiana and dutch bantam also can survive mostly foraging and they lay almost year around (200+ eggs).