Salutations!

[Desert Rooster]

Hello

from Hesperia, Ca and

 

[Zonoma]

Thanks for the tips! I've been going through the "breeds" page for the last hour or so and typing the 'contenders' in a WORD document on the side. I have far too many gardens to let them be completely free range, as well as two very efficient hunting cats and two schnauzers (who are good mousers). In short, they will need to be kept in a run for most of the time, though I hope to eventually get to the free range point.

My main question is: Do breeds "play well with others"? My contenders list:

Standard Contenders (all reportedly quiet breeds and cold hardy):
Black Australorp: standard, high yield, per year VERY PRETTY!
Araucana/Ameraucanas chickens : (or any easter eggers) good eggs, colored, supposed to be more nutritious
Marans: chocolate colored eggs
Plymouth/Barred Rocks:
Sussex: good layers, quiet and curious

Bantam Contenders:
Brahma
Belgium D Uccle, Blue/Grey: quiet, easily ‘tamed’, good forager, cold hardy, can be flighty
Cochins: extremely gentle, cold hardy, excessive feathering can hide physical ailments
Dutch: (obtain only from breeders, though, if you want to guarantee their gentle, kid friendly nature)
Old English Game: FEMALE ONLY. Males will attack if approached from the front but females are good pets
Silver Pencil Plymouth Rock: vigorous free rangers, high egg yield, and very cold-hardy

Questions, Comments, Smart remarks?

 

[Attack Chicken]

from Indiana!

AC

 

[bugsaroo]

Welcome to the bird world. And good for you, you like to garden. A free ranging chickens favorite type of people. Did you know that one hen can eat a row of tidal wave petunias 35 foot long in just a few minutes. She actually didn't eat the plants, just kept the blooms plucked. And melons, yes, just before they are perfect you will find tiny peck holes to check to see if they are okay for your consumption. Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, all yeses. No really, welcome but chickens do appreciate gardeners. And hanging baskets are a favorite daytime roost. And most degrading, we have a lovely thoroughbred race horse that is destined to be a roost in cooler weather. Even when he lays on his side in his stall, dozens of birds will sit on him. But we love them all. I am sure you will become addicted as well.

 

[feather and mountain man]

hello from Indiana

I would start by going online and searching for chicks for sale and look at the big breeders catalogs to get an idea of the different chickens. I personall love the brown egg layers. Good luck and keep in touch with us here at BYC

 

[shellz131]

 

[TigerLilly]

 

[NonnasBabies]

&

from Louisiana

 

[Zonoma]

bugs- They won't get the chance to get at my garden too often.

F&M man- Already on it, though it seems I have an acquaintence looking to rehome some layers and young chicks. My breed might just "FREE".

 

[dadsdeercamp]

from minnesota