Recommend Chicken Breeds

[charlottiee]

Hello peeps,
I am looking for some new breeds to add to my small flock this year and was wondering if anyone could recommend me some nice breeds that they have hatched or enjoyed having?

 

[Alexandra33]

Is there any specific trait you're looking for in a chicken, as in egg color, plumage color, temperament, or laying abilities?

I have quite a few breeds I like, actually.

~Alex

 

[charlottiee]

Is there any specific trait you're looking for in a chicken, as in egg color, plumage color, temperament, or laying abilities?   I have quite a few breeds I like, actually.

~Alex

As long as they're fairly friendly and lay quite well I'd love to know

 

[Alexandra33]

As long as they're fairly friendly and lay quite well I'd love to know

Okay, here's my list of birds that fit that criteria: Golden Campine, Barred Rock, Sicilian Buttercup, Speckled Sussex, Black Sumatra, Marans (any color variety), Easter Egger, Olive Egger, Buckeye, True Blue Ameraucana, and, if you can allow for it, Mille Fleur d'Uccles, which are a bantam breed. Any of those sound good to you?

~Alex

 

[JaeG]

I just got a 12 week old d'uccle pullet and she is the sweetest thing. You'd never know she'd been a free range baby. She even adopted the two frizzle pekins (cochins) I also bought off the breeder who were 1 week and 2 weeks old. It's lovely because she is still young enough to join in the games they play. When I wrote to the breeder she wrote back to say that is why she loves them so much. She had a pullet adopt a bunch of chicks that were only slightly younger than herself. Everyone I've found on this awesome site that bought d'uccles just falls in love with them. If a sweet, friendly personality is what you are after, get yourself some. I'm just so jealous of all the gorgeous colours you guys have in the UK and USA, which we don't have in New Zealand.

I personally love the bantams and, what they lack in the egg laying department, they more than make up for with their friendly, inquisitive personalities. Just an excuse to have more really. . .

 

[charlottiee]

Okay, here's my list of birds that fit that criteria: Golden Campine, Barred Rock, Sicilian Buttercup, Speckled Sussex, Black Sumatra, Marans (any color variety), Easter Egger, Olive Egger, Buckeye, True Blue Ameraucana, and, if you can allow for it, Mille Fleur d'Uccles, which are a bantam breed. Any of those sound good to you?

~Alex

They sound great! I was looking at getting some Ameraucana's and Barred Rocks but I'll have a look at the other breeds too before I get some! speckled Sussex are great aswell I had some last year and they're brilliant birds!

 

[charlottiee]

I just got a 12 week old d'uccle pullet and she is the sweetest thing.  You'd never know she'd been a free range baby.  She even adopted the two frizzle pekins (cochins) I also bought off the breeder who were 1 week and 2 weeks old.  It's lovely because she is still young enough to join in the games they play.  When I wrote to the breeder she wrote back to say that is why she loves them so much.  She had a pullet adopt a bunch of chicks that were only slightly younger than herself.  Everyone I've found on this awesome site that bought d'uccles just falls in love with them.  If a sweet, friendly personality is what you are after, get yourself some.  I'm just so jealous of all the gorgeous colours you guys have in the UK and USA, which we don't have in New Zealand.

I personally love the bantams and, what they lack in the egg laying department, they more than make up for with their friendly, inquisitive personalities.  Just an excuse to have more really. . .

Aww they sound adorable! I'll definitely have a look at getting some as I love the friendly birds Yeah I'm from the UK and there's so much choice so I wanted to see what would be recommended. I have some Dark Brahma's at the moment who are so friendly, I've fell in love with their nature and colourings!