Picking a breed

[ocap]

I don't know if this site will help:

http://www.poultryshowcentral.com/

 

[Dixiearcher]

My kids are little so it will be several years before they will care about showing. Would starting with a mixed flock be a better idea then narrowing it down? What would be some good starting breeds? I like the Java and sussex but I'm open to anything. My family never had anything but mixed bred yard bantams, so I am new to the various breeds

 

[keesmom]

By all means start with a mixed flock and see which one appeals to you most. Begin with Javas and Sussex. There are a lot of good Rock breeders out there and they come in several varieties. Maybe Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Buckeyes or Dominiques?

 

[Dixiearcher]

That is probably what I will end up doing...there are too many interesting ones out there

 

[Dixiearcher]

Is it possible to buy hatchery chicks and breed to the sop? Is that even an option worth considering?

 

[ocap]

Is it possible to buy hatchery chicks and breed to the sop? Is that even an option worth considering?

I have bought two breeds from two sources, I needed to see for myself the answer to your question. My opinion is that I could never get to "Standard" by breeding a hatchery hen to a hatchery rooster, I might after 20 or 30 years if I had a "Standard" rooster and hatchery hens.

 

[ThePRfan]

Like I said,a production red (rir),is probably your best choice.
They also added leghorn to the pr to help egg production.

 

[sourland]

Is it possible to buy hatchery chicks and breed to the sop? Is that even an option worth considering?

A quality bred bird costs no more to feed than a hatchery bred individual. If you are looking towards showing in the future, follow keesmom's advice - go to a show and look at the various breeds - then make your decision as to what you really want to start with. If egg production is your end goal, hatchery bred birds will suit your needs.

 

[song of joy]

My kids are little so it will be several years before they will care about showing. Would starting with a mixed flock be a better idea then narrowing it down? What would be some good starting breeds? I like the Java and sussex but I'm open to anything. My family never had anything but mixed bred yard bantams, so I am new to the various breeds

Variety can be lots of fun for both you and the kids, as it allows you to easily identify each bird. A flock of 6-8 birds of the following breeds would be a good start, as they are dual-purpose, tend to have a good temperament (docile), are hardy, and may go broody:

Dominique
Barred plymouth rock
Black australorp
Easter egger (this is a mixed breed, but fun for kids as they lay greenish or blueish eggs)
Buff orpington
Speckled sussex
Wyandotte (e.g., gold-laced, silver-laced, columbian)

Personally, I've really grown fond of dominiques. The hens are docile, smart and good layers. This is also a heritage breed in need of conservation. My only hold-up with breeding a flock of these is dealing with a rooster. It's really tough to get a non-aggressive rooster (in any breed!).