Official BYC Poll - What Breed Characteristic Is Most Important?

[cherylcohen]

I have a few different wants in my flock.

1. I enjoy gorgeous looking birds, however in my layer pen they aren't typically show quality, just beautiful in my opinion!

2. I enjoy rare birds

3. In my breeder pens, I strive for conformity and quality in bird and egg color.

Great thread

 

[PrinceSandwich]

I couldn't pick just one. The most important characteristics for me are:
Cold hardy
Looks

 

[cubalaya]

with the cubalaya, i get a great looking chicken, that lays a good amount of eggs, will forage and raise their own young, and is good to eat.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
My fav characteristic is Asthetics and Showability. This also includes body structure which is most important
to me because it answers so many breed type points in a poultry Standard. Body type determines whether
a bird is a meat, egg , dual purpose gamefowl or etc. It shows off the robustness of the bird.
It is the essence of a breed. A gamefowl which doesn't have correct showabaility also doesn't have correct
breed type. Build the barn first, then decorate it.

Happy Holidays,
Karen Tewart
Director of Archives
Marans of America Club

 

[cubalaya]

'bulid the barn first, then paint it'. i read this in a backyard poultry magazine article by doc everett. this is what we have done with our cubalayas. bred for type and size and will worry about the color later on.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I put egg production first, but as mine are truly backyard chickens, other factors came into play. I have children so their preferences come into play as well.

The first chickens were two EE's, a RIR and a RSL. The RSL was an egg laying machine, and very friendly; but ended up becoming an internal layer. These chickens were picked for egg production, egg color, and when we chose the EEs we picked the most colorful ones we could find.

The next ones were silkies, RIR and BO hatching eggs. The silkies were chosen for looks, the BO for their winter laying skills, and the RIR for general egg production. A SLW chick was added to the mix entirely for looks. The RIR cockeral we hatched was almost immediately rehomed due to a general bad attitude. We kept the silkies for about a year, but the rooster's constant crowing, and nasty habit of attacking my younger child made him an undesirable. He and his girls were rehomed.

We tried some Japanese bantams, but they were too flighty and wouldn't return to the coop. I won Marans hatching eggs so they were added to the flock. We also have one BO and a BO/RIR from our own crosses. They went into the incubator as test eggs.

Now we have hens: 4 EEs, 3 BO, 2 Marans, 1 SLW, 2 RIR, 1 RIR/BO cross
Roos: BO and Marans...they stay because they are beautiful. I don't need them to breed in my backyard flock, and the BO's idea of flock protection is to get to the highest place he can and alert all the hens to danger.

So in order:

Egg production but with the notion that the egg laying machine was not as healthy as birds with lower production
Personality/attitude: I don't have the time, energy or patience for nasty or flighty birds.
Looks, because eye candy is important
Egg color because that is just fun

If I was farming for myself I would also be interested in dual purpose birds that breed themselves. In my flock that would mean keeping the buff orpingtons and Marans. I would also have OEGB simply because I love the way the look, and the variety of colors these birds come in.

 

[Missy3b]

Because I have kids, temprament is most important. I want my boys to love chickens the way I do so I choose birds that are friendly and won't attack anyone.

 

[Pyncheon guy]

Breeder of Pyncheons........I choose "Heritage".....the heritage breeds are where they all started from. I do prefer my hens to lay well....I don't care if their personality is a bit wild or defensive....they were and are survivors that's part of the reason why some are still with us. If I have a male that wants to attack me or hen reaches out at me while she is sitting on eggs....it shows they still have that natural instinct to survive......I'm not planning to sit down with them and have "Tea". With a little work most can relax and be ready for a Poultry show and not draw blood from the judges hand. I love the durability and hardiness that most retain and their natural beauty that they seem to reflect while walking across the yard. Dignity all the way!!!! With so few bloodlines left.....and too few dedicated breeders....fertility and quality on some of these breeds has suffered. I'm not saying to replace your birds with a "Heritage" breed.....maybe just make a little room for one and help keep them going. My best to all.....

 

[cat1994]

My order of importance is

1. Climate Hardiness
2. Meat/Egg combo bird
3. Looks
4. Personality/Temperment
5. Heritage
6. Egg color

and the winner is..... Wyandotte I LOVE THEM!!!!

 

[onthespot]

I voted for egg color, but really I would prefer if one of the choices was overall robust immune system, without that, all the rest is meaningless.