Raerest breed

[BlackHackle]

I actually don't see many Orpington bantams. I'm not really worried for them though.

I breed Buff Orpington bantams

 

[Amer]

I breed Buff Orpington bantams

Cool. You sure keep a lot of single comb birds. I keep my birds combs to a minimum. Buckeyes and d'Anvers are favored over d'Uccles and Rhode Island Reds are favored at my house for more reasons than personality. You do keep clean legged birds though.

 

[BlackHackle]

Cool. You sure keep a lot of single comb birds. I keep my birds combs to a minimum. Buckeyes and d'Anvers are favored over d'Uccles and Rhode Island Reds are favored at my house for more reasons than personality. You do keep clean legged birds though.

I have electrically heated buildings with ventilation systems so I am not all that limited to comb type. I do keep a few feather footed breeds like Sultans, Sultan Bantams, D'Uccles, Brahmas, and Cochin Bantams. But those are housed in specially made cages with a certain bedding to avoid infections in the boots

 

[Amer]

I have electrically heated buildings with ventilation systems so I am not all that limited to comb type. I do keep a few feather footed breeds like Sultans, Sultan Bantams, D'Uccles, Brahmas, and Cochin Bantams. But those are housed in specially made cages with a certain bedding to avoid infections in the boots

I have a small mixed flock (small compared to yours, this was my first successful year hatching, hatched about a hundred chicks but many were culled by now) who free range on an acre. The only heating they have keeps the water unfroze and they have poor ventilation. There are also ducks in the flock. And soon turkeys will be added.

 

[MagpieDucks]

I have 5 Orpington bantams. A breeder down the road from me has LOTS of them.

 

[BlackHackle]

I have a small mixed flock (small compared to yours, this was my first successful year hatching, hatched about a hundred chicks but many were culled by now) who free range on an acre. The only heating they have keeps the water unfroze and they have poor ventilation. There are also ducks in the flock. And soon turkeys will be added.

I don't allow free ranging ever since a stray husky killed my $$$$$ Buff Orpington rooster. I'm downsizing my flocks right now and plan to only have Plymouth Rocks, Buff Orpington Bantams, Black Cochins, Sultans, Andalusian, Light Sussex, Ixworth, and Vorwerk come winter. I already sold off most of my Brahmas and OEG Bantams

 

[Amer]

I have 5 Orpington bantams. A breeder down the road from me has LOTS of them.

Huh. They must not be popular around here.

I don't allow free ranging ever since a stray husky killed my $$$$$ Buff Orpington rooster. I'm downsizing my flocks right now and plan to only have Plymouth Rocks, Buff Orpington Bantams, Black Cochins, Sultans, Andalusian, Light Sussex, Ixworth, and Vorwerk come winter. I already sold off most of my Brahmas and OEG Bantams

Only that many? I have two focus breeds. Ameraucanas are just for fun. Plus maybe for EEs. They are fascinating. When I first had chickens I wanted like thirteen breeds.
I've only lost one chicken to predators when free ranging. Actually my favorite chicken died also, but she wasn't going in at night, which should still count I guess. Poorly fortified coops had more problems. That's why our coop is solid wood with a concrete floor.

 

[Amer]

Huh. They must not be popular around here.

Only that many? I have two focus breeds. Ameraucanas are just for fun. Plus maybe for EEs. They are fascinating. When I first had chickens I wanted like thirteen breeds.
I've only lost one chicken to predators when free ranging. Actually my favorite chicken died also, but she wasn't going in at night, which should still count I guess. Poorly fortified coops had more problems. That's why our coop is solid wood with a concrete floor.

I'm guessing I lost the other chicken because the it was a small d'Anvers hen, lost to the smallest kestral I ever did see. The roosters wouldn't have saw it as a threat because it couldn't possibly even lift a silkie adult off the ground.

 

[BlackHackle]

Huh. They must not be popular around here.

Only that many? I have two focus breeds. Ameraucanas are just for fun. Plus maybe for EEs. They are fascinating. When I first had chickens I wanted like thirteen breeds.
I've only lost one chicken to predators when free ranging. Actually my favorite chicken died also, but she wasn't going in at night, which should still count I guess. Poorly fortified coops had more problems. That's why our coop is solid wood with a concrete floor.

Well that's a pretty small amount compared to 27

I live in a countryside where the neighbors don't give a rip about their dogs roaming other peoples yards so that's probably where my problem arises.

 

[BlackHackle]

I'm guessing I lost the other chicken because the it was a small d'Anvers hen, lost to the smallest kestral I ever did see. The roosters wouldn't have saw it as a threat because it couldn't possibly even lift a silkie adult off the ground.

I had a hawk kill a Marans rooster while free ranging