Official BYC Poll - What Breed Characteristic Is Most Important?

[Rockerchic]

The four girls I have right now were convienent, available with no big effort. However, if I ever start another flock from scratch, I would like to go with a heritage breed, probably Andalusian Blue. Why not do something unique?They still have good egg production, which is the practical reason for my hens, and it would be fun to have something unusual going on in the backyard.

 

[Carrie Lynn]

To Beekissed,
Why are you surprised that people enjoying backyard chickens aren't necessarily interested in eating them?
Many (most?) of us are not ranchers/farmers/homesteaders, we don't raise them as food animals, we keep them because we derive enjoyment from them.

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
In today's economy, it surprises me that people are still spending so much money on animals of any kind, not just chickens. But chickens seem the most unlikely of all, as they do have the potential to lighten the load in the way of providing a food source for a family.

When I read about how much people on here spend on coops, runs, feeds, predator proofing, vet care, etc. for chickens it tells me that the either the media is completely exaggerating the poor economy, or people are totally unaware that they could actually be saving money if they treat these chickens as a food source, as well as pets.

Deriving enjoyment from chickens can be as simple as keeping them as pets until its time to eat them~which is the economically sound thing to do. That so many people are not doing this can explain why so many on here complain about how much their first egg costs.

 

[matthewschickens]

Personality. I look for all kinds of things but I appriciate that the most in my birds

 

[Laurieks]

Add Disease/Parasite resistance! I picked climate because it was closest to that.
It seems mycoplasma is carried by wild birds, so all free range or otherwise exposed birds are at risk. So I'm only keeping those who resist it.
My friends keep Ameraucanas because they believe they are mite resistant. That would be nice too!
I actually picked Faverolles & Barnevelders for year 'round eggs, then personality, then looks. (can we have a survey to rate the list instead of picking one?)
Thanks!
Laurie

 

[Lothiriel]

Quote:
x2

I also like the endangered kinds - but I only have had 1 endangered breed, Delawares. I'd love to breed endangered ones...

 

[karenbrat1]

They are ALL important aspects to me, but #1 is temperament... I hate hysterically flighty birds, and mean roosters. I've had straight Barber Welsumers for a few years now and just love them because the roos are so easygoing and of course for the lovely terra-cotta eggs. I just started small flocks of Marans, Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, and Barnevelders, and will see how they do. The Barnies are a bit hysterical so far. The Marans seem reasonably calm. The BLRs are the friendliest and least spooky, they follow me around and my husband complains that you can't drive them anywhere, they're more inclined to examine and peck at your boot rather than run away from it

 

[Judy]

I chose personality because I want them to be friendly and easy to handle, as a primary thing -- I wouldn't buy Leghorns -- yet I don't name them, and we keep them for meat as well as eggs. I could care less what color the eggs are, or the chickens for that matter; they're all eye candy to me. If I don't get enough eggs I'll get more chickens. But they do have to be decent eating.

All breeds make good chicken TV, which might be my #1 choice if it were there.

It would be fun to add a flock of heritage/endangered just as a hobby.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
In today's economy, it surprises me that people are still spending so much money on animals of any kind, not just chickens. But chickens seem the most unlikely of all, as they do have the potential to lighten the load in the way of providing a food source for a family.

When I read about how much people on here spend on coops, runs, feeds, predator proofing, vet care, etc. for chickens it tells me that the either the media is completely exaggerating the poor economy, or people are totally unaware that they could actually be saving money if they treat these chickens as a food source, as well as pets.

Deriving enjoyment from chickens can be as simple as keeping them as pets until its time to eat them~which is the economically sound thing to do. That so many people are not doing this can explain why so many on here complain about how much their first egg costs.

 

[dragonlaurel]

What is your most important charachteristic when choosing a breed?

Heritage breeds tend to have good foraging ability but personality was a tie for me. I would not keep animals that are mean to me.

Egg Production / Quantity - They need to earn their keep, but a broody could be valuable sometimes.
Climate Hardiness - hot, humid summers here

Less important:
Egg Color
Aesthetics / Looks / Showability - not likely to show them
Meat Production - I want the eggs.