Please help me decide between the different breeds...

[TracyLK]

Thank you so much for all the feedback. I have looked up breeds that do well in all climates, as I live in Jersey where we can have a hot summer and a cold winter. There are not many feed stores/suppliers in the area to ask advice from, but this website has been so helpful. I know it will be such an amazing learning experience and we are really looking forward to it.

 

[Schwartzfarmnc]

Fred's Hens :

You can't know what you don't know.

Get a mix. My guess is that you find some you don't care much for and some you'll really like better. Going forward, you tastes will develop. Pretty common to have preferences after awhile.

I agree 100%.

Even within each breed their personalities are so different so get a mix of what you think you like and then you'll know the next time if you want more or less of that breed or it will give you the opportunity to choose something new.​

 

[old geezer]

.

.---i have a 6 breeds of birds--the speckled sussex is loveable , gentle , quiet , a pleasure to have--i also have a rhode island red that is super , and a real coop clown-, and if i had to settle on just one breed--delawares are my top choice -white with a very attractive black streaks arround the neck ,wing tips and in their high pointed tail--they have almost a regal look about them without being flighty or , let's say stuck-up--and they are , i think , a highly intelligent breed with inquisitive eye's--i have never gotten a stink eye from any of my delawares--they are super friendly ,a real snuggle bug , mine crawl aall over me like i was a jungle gym ,sleep on my lap , my shoulders , and love to be picked up and petted ,and they are so passive to the other birds ' almost to a fault ,that they sometimes let themselves be bullied----a good dual purpose bird that lays beautiful large brown eggs ,and is also used as broilers---although mine will never be--all my birds are special--have personalities ,names , and when the egg laying is over for them---they will just hang aarround and keep me company---by the way , i saw you live in jersey---i'am just south of the lake george region ,almost on the vermont border ---an let me tell you---it's cold here and the delawares handle it just fine---delawares , the way to go..

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[cackydoodledoo]

old geezer I have two speckled sussex and they are my favorite!! They are so loving. None of my other chickens come up to me and cuddle like they do. The one will follow me around the coop and grab my pant legs. I have to be careful to watch for both of them because they can tend to get under foot!! That is one breed I am going to get more of!!

 

[I-Have-Happy-Hens]

I vote

#1 Australop The sweetest and most calm breed

#2 Easter Egger

#3 BLR* Wyandotte (JMHO this Wyandotte color has been the best also GLW are great)

#4 silkie ( We have a great silkie rooster,Calm,sweet, and friendly.)

#5 Orpington

#6 Plymouth Rock

#7 Delaware

#8 Dominique

#9 Rhode Island Red ( we have NHR they are wonderful)

 

[ChickenCrazy4ever]

If you want good layers i would recommend one of the following:
Delaware
Orpington
Plymouth Rock
Rhode Island Red
Wyandotte
Australop

From what I've heard they are all good layers, but this is my first year of chicken keeping and my rocks are only seven weeks old.

 

[packmomma]

YOu can see in my signature what my breeds are. I started out with two of a lot lol. My favorites by far are Isa Browns. I would say of the breeds I have and what you were looking for..
1. Easter Eggers. They are super friendly and lay almost everyday. Curious but not "leave me alone already" kinda curious lol.
2. Orpingtons- I have read nothing but good things and my two are very friendly. They dont start fights, dont care to join any, are wonderful to my kids. They keep to themselves but will come to you easily. Quiet egg layers too.
3. Wyandottes. I love these also. They are a little vocal egg laying but they are great, friendly, and lay pretty much every day.

NO to RIR's. Its probably just me personally but they are mean, start fights, hate others intigrated into the flock and are just generally bullies. I got 5 last year as chicks, raised them up, have 3 of them left and unfortunatly they are dinner in October. Good egg layers but they are too bossy and seem to have no manners what so ever.

 

[GhostRider65]

Of my 22 chicks I have right now that are 3 weeks old, my Buff Orpingtons are by far the friendliest, followed by my 1 speckled sussex, then my mystery chicks which I think are leghorns?? their all white even though they had a gray face and saddle as day olds. then my black sexlinks and lastly my flighty EES

 

[Pumpkinpup]

Silkies are great broodies and are very friendly and easy to love. Don't expect large eggs or heavy laying from them, isn't going to happen.
Orpingtons are very friendly if properly socialized. They lay well and are a wonderful addition to any flock.
RIR's as a rule are very dominant and as a result are often mean to other birds and unfriendly. I find they are not very kid friendly either so if you have children, beware. Same goes for the delewares.
Wyandottes, dominiques, and rocks are all nice birds to have and each one has their own unique personality. Whatever bird you go with, the key here is to spend a lot of time with them so that they know you are a friend and not a foe.

 

[greytmommy]

I can only comment on the ones I have (since I am a first timer too!) and they are about 4wks old.

We have silkies, and so far we like them! they are very calm, and dont mind being handled and are very willing to roost on you.

We have one Plymoth Rock, and she is VERY social! she doesnt like to be picked up, but she wants to be near you, likes to be pet and will chill in your lap. She will also get loud when she wants attention!

I have 2 EE's. One is really really friendly, the other is really flighty. My flighty one isnt mean or anything, but she is skittish, and does a lot better if you let her approach you vs picking her up. She tends to run from the kids and doesnt like them holding her like that Silkies and Cochins do. In general my EE's seem to be more playful and inquesitive than my others. They are the first ones to explore new places.

We considered a Wydonnette b/c I heard good things.

So far, 4wks in, I like my Cochins the best. our cuddliest is Chili, a grey Cochin. She is the FIRST one to run up on your hand. ALWAYS wants to be cuddled and snuggled on. Heck, she flew out of the brood box just today and followed me in the living room! THEN tried to act like it was all cool...and we always let her chill in the living room! haha! I think NOT Mrs. Chili Girl. Our other Cochins are also VERY friendly. In general, they tend to be the first to run up to you for snuggles and pets.

WE also have 2 Cuckoo Marans, but they havent been handled as much as the others. They dont seem to enjoy it as much. But we got them mostly for the eggs.

In general, we didnt care about eggs as much as we did a friendly, docile non-aggressive personality. I wanted chickens my kids could enjoy. So far we are happy w/ our breed choices. Although, I am now wishing I would have gotten at least ONE D'Unccle after everything I have read!

Edited to add: My PR is a Barred Rock, since someone mentioned they have noticed that the Barreds are more friendly. And i would also agree w/ the statement about the EE's saying they are Curious, but not "leave me alone already" Curious. That is a GREAT way to put it!