putting together the shortlist

[3xhhheather]

Nice list with some good variety. I'm also someone who wants all the chickens.

In my experience with breeds on your list, if you're thinking of pets, my Speckled Sussex wins hands down. Bronwyn always wants to help with any project, thoughtfully scratching up whatever I'm trying to shovel away or dig into the ground. I'm sure she would be a rock star in the compost pile -- but it's too far away from where they free range during the day.

My other breeds from your list -- the BLRW, Easter Eggers and, the Hoover Hatchery version of a black Maran -- are all pretty decent layers and good pets. My Welsummer, however, is a bit more flighty. She is beautiful and lays lovely eggs, but is occupies the bottom of the pecking order which, no doubt, makes her skittish.

The good news is, no matter which ones you choose ... you're going to get chickens!!!

Oh wow that sounds so stinkin cute! Love that they'll all have their own personalities, it's one of the things my partner was worried about that we'd just have a flock of drones.

And yes, finally chickens!!

 

[3xhhheather]

So, most hatcheries aren't selling true (close to breed standard) Auracana, they are selling Easter Eggers, whether under a name like "Ameraucana", or specific shades of Easter Egger, like the Green Queen. They are hybrids, can be impressive birds, but no guarantees. There's too much variation to have real consistency of traits, other than colored eggs.

I don't have experience with most of the rest, so will defer comments in favor of those more knowledgeable, except on the Wyandotte, which I own. Mine are compact, weighty for the size, grew pretty quickly compared to most, free range well, are moderately predator aware (my Brahma are better, but they are better than the others), and lay about every other day. Mine lay pretty richly tinted eggs, which I can't candle successfully - an annoyance to me. Egg size is good.

FWIW, mine are Silver-laced - the GLWs are substantially the same, but for coloration.

That's good to know, I was seeing a variety of descriptions for Ameraucana's across a few hatcheries & none of them were super consistent. Really just hoping for some colored eggs and that cute muff/sideburns.

Excited for the Wyandottes, they've been on my list forever and that's great to know they're kind of aware of predators. Everyone will have cover, but they will be free ranging.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

That's good to know, I was seeing a variety of descriptions for Ameraucana's across a few hatcheries & none of them were super consistent. Really just hoping for some colored eggs and that cute muff/sideburns.

Excited for the Wyandottes, they've been on my list forever and that's great to know they're kind of aware of predators. Everyone will have cover, but they will be free ranging.

You could always check out the thread about breeds people dislike! LOL Most give reasons why they don't like certain breeds. (And it isn't only because of their looks.) And Wyandottes are mentioned several times because they can be bullies to other chickens. Reading that over and over made me take them OFF of my list. (No matter how beautiful they are. I want to try to have a more "peaceful" flock I don't DO bullies of any species of animal. PERIOD. And I'm not talking about being at the top of the "pecking order". I'm talking about animals that bully others for sport. Edited to say that if you were going to have only 1 breed, they would probably be fine. But mixing breeds that tend to be bullies, with breeds that tend to be "bottom of the pecking order" types might not be a good mix.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Oof yes, I am on clay, my property has shoe losing mud all over. My plan was to have them rotate around for 3 seasons when the ground is a bit firmer and then build out a set pen for winter that I can manage better with woodchips & hay. I'm wondering if I should avoid feather-footed breeds altogether though with the huge amounts of rain we've been having through spring/summer

Any breeds you've had good luck with keeping in our area?

If you are thinking about eliminating feather footed breeds, then might want to eliminate green queens too as they can have feathered feet. (Eliminating all feather footed breeds would also help narrow you down from 10 breeds. LOL)

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Also, did you happen to see that Meyers has high shipping costs on orders of less than 15 chicks?

 

[3xhhheather]

If you are thinking about eliminating feather footed breeds, then might want to eliminate green queens too as they can have feathered feet. (Eliminating all feather footed breeds would also help narrow you down from 10 breeds. LOL)

Hmm well can't be having that then lol I think I'll just have to monitor ground conditions and move everyone to a permanent mulched pen when it gets too soggy.

Also, did you happen to see that Meyers has high shipping costs on orders of less than 15 chicks?

I figured they would, (dang $50!), but I'm not sure I could do 15 chicks out the gate. Unless chicks have a high casualty rate when they're little?

 

[3xhhheather]

You could always check out the thread about breeds people dislike! LOL Most give reasons why they don't like certain breeds. (And it isn't only because of their looks.) And Wyandottes are mentioned several times because they can be bullies to other chickens. Reading that over and over made me take them OFF of my list. (No matter how beautiful they are. I want to try to have a more "peaceful" flock I don't DO bullies of any species of animal. PERIOD. And I'm not talking about being at the top of the "pecking order". I'm talking about animals that bully others for sport. Edited to say that if you were going to have only 1 breed, they would probably be fine. But mixing breeds that tend to be bullies, with breeds that tend to be "bottom of the pecking order" types might not be a good mix.

I didn't even think to look for that kind of list! Will definitely be scanning that this evening. I'm the same way, if you're a jerk you better fix it or some decisions will have to be made. I had issues with a gander recently, but we have since come to an understanding lol

Are pecking orders fluid or do they tend to stay stable? My ducks rotate daily who's the top lady and while it can be quirky to watch, it'd be nice for them to chill out a bit with it.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

I didn't even think to look for that kind of list! Will definitely be scanning that this evening. I'm the same way, if you're a jerk you better fix it or some decisions will have to be made. I had issues with a gander recently, but we have since come to an understanding lol

Are pecking orders fluid or do they tend to stay stable? My ducks rotate daily who's the top lady and while it can be quirky to watch, it'd be nice for them to chill out a bit with it.

I don't know about the pecking order. (I don't have chickens yet. LOL) With my heritage turkeys though, the pecking order is the pecking order. It is what it is. (Though adding birds can upset the apple cart.) I "think" chickens are pretty much the same as far as that goes. (Though even taking an existing flock member out of the "group" for some reason, then putting her back can cause "issues" at least for a while.) IMO, if an aminal is a jerk to other group members, that is just how it is/how they are. And it is either you "deal with it" or send them to freezer camp.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Sometimes people have some casualties, others don't. A lot of people get more than they want/need then sell the "spares" once they are a little older. There are always people shopping, especially for pullets/hens.

 

[Callender Girl]

Knowing general breed disposition is important, but each bird is an individual. I guess I didn't know people thought Wyandottes were bullies. I picked mine because she was beautiful.

My Blue Laced Red Wyandotte came from a 4-Her's larger flock that included full-sized birds and two Cochin Bantams. Long story, but after very little arm twisting, the Bantams came home with me. Marietta, Sally and Gabby lived together quite nicely in the same coop for about a year; she never picked on the smaller birds.

Today, the little girls have their own coop, and Marietta lives with a Buff Orpington (the mostly benevolent chicken queen) and a pair of Salmon Faverolles in another coop where there are no issues. Maybe I'm just lucky.

And, I have a few breeds with feathered feet and/or legs (Cochin Bantams, Faverolles, Midnight Majesty Maran). I guess I haven't thought of it was a problem. Of course, for the last year, we've been in drought conditions so I think they enjoyed the occasional rain as much as I did!

Consider what everyone says, but realize, you will undoubtedly face your own challenges with chickens. And, you'll find your own solutions. Happy chicken keeping!