OHio ~ Come on Buckeyes, let me know your out there!

[Lyddz]

Which chicken breed is best suited for north-eastern Ohio climate? I was thinking rhode island reds, stars, plymouth rocks, delawares, and speckled sussex. What are your verdicts?

 

[Wild Trapper]

Quote:
Any of the breeds with large single combs will probably have their combs frost bitten in the winter. So, Buckeyes, Wyandottes, EEs, to name a few are all hardy but those you mentioned would also probably do alright as well, just might get their combs frosted.

 

[Lyddz]

Oh. Well, that might be a problem! Thanks!

 

[DelcoChix]

This is only year three for us, but like the poster before mentioned, all those breeds mentioned will work, just might get a little frost "marked." If you're looking strictly for cold hardiness of course the smaller combed breeds are best but we have a bit of a variety and the past two winters haven't lost one due to cold (or heat). We have other reasons that reduced the population a bit (fox...eggbound...tumor...freak accident...) but not weather. Boils down to what you are looking for...my signature line shows what we've got, no heated coops, just tlc...but I'm not interested (or remotely qualified

)to show, beyond my daughter in the county fair, I just really (really) enjoy the variety...
I am trying really hard not to get more chicks this year, 23 should be plenty. But I'm afraid I'm going to cave and order some more, maybe 4 or 5...or 10 or 12? That's why I've never gotten into illegal drugs...can barely control this habit... errrrr, addiction?

 

[Wild Trapper]

Quote:
If you're really just starting out and would like to know the title of a good book about the addiction look for: "Storey's Guide to RAISING CHICKENS". In it there is a guide of the most common chicken breeds and the climate they are best adapted to, etc. You might even find it used on Amazon dot com. Not sure, as I found a copy $19.95 at the local TSC. I have several other books about chickens including several that just treat chickens in a general way. You might also find a copy of that book at the library or even get them to get it on loan for you.

 

[Lyddz]

Yeah, Storey's Guide to RAISING CHICKENS is in on TBR list, along with Raising Chickens For Dummies, and the Complete Idiot's version, but I haven't been able to get to the library lately.

I've been planning to go to the library for weeks now, but no go. I'll get there eventually...

I know what you mean! I look at all the breeds and I want them all!!!

But my list is basically me trying to get a combination of chickens who do good in "all climates," and breeds that lay big eggs to please my dad who drives an extra couple miles to Walmart just to get the jumbo-sized cartons. The speckled sussex are my favorite, and I really really want them!

 

[Wild Trapper]

A breed you might consider for huge brown eggs are Golden Comets. I've a few of those myself, they wintered good, and lay almost every day. your dad gets a taste of them, he'll not go back to Wally World for eggs again. DW loves them. I like the Easter Eggers medium size eggs myself.

 

[BuckeyeDave]

Where in Ohio are you?
I have a friend who has a bird farm, my kids going there, it's like the fair, all of the birds look amazing, you could pick up several different breeds and have a show flock!!!!
http://sc-birdfarm.com/

It is definitely wort the trip!!! Bring the whole family!!

 

[Lyddz]

@Wild Trapper I checked out this link --> http://www.avianaquamiser.com/posts/Golden_Comet/ after your suggestion, and I'm in love. Thanks, I've never heard of this hybrid before! The only *problem* is that I can't find any hatcheries that sell less than 10 per shipment. Not sure my dad would like that, since they lay an egg a day and we're a pretty small family...But my grandpa has been using us as dumping ground for his extra "small garden" produce, I think we can return the favor with some extra "small flock" eggs

@BuckeyeDave I live in the Canton-area, and I did take a look at the link for your friend's farm, but I also checked out your site in your signature and I really like your Buckeyes! Would you recommend me getting them or no? Also; do you think they'd get along with Golden Comets?

 

[BuckeyeDave]

All chickens will get along with each other fine, once they establish the pecking order, if they grow up together there is usually no problem.