South Carolina

[CarolinaChickenKeeper]

Silly Question.....What would be a "nice" multi purpose breed of chickens to add to my flock? Egg color doesn't matter. Thanks, Nikki

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Whew! That is a hard one because the choices are huge!

By multi purpose I suppose you mean meat and eggs?

Everyone has their favorites. DH says if we could only own one breed it would be the blk and blue copper Marans. They provide nice eggs and flavorful meat. However, they also have big appetites, especially while growing.
I love the Jersey Giants but they are also a huge bird that takes a while to mature. Brahmas are a big favorite of mine and must be of others because I don;t keep those chicks around often. I am trying to hide the few I have left but am hatching more out in hopes to get together a decent amount before fall.

If you are looking for good temperaments there is the Orpingtons, Faverolles, Partridge Rocks (Barred Rocks tend to be bossy), cuckoo Marans, Wyandottes, Brahmas and many more.
Pick something that you like the looks of and then research or ask folks on here what they think about them. Experience of the breed is really a much better way of finding what you may like.
I often encourage people to get one of everything they like and then as the birds pass away due to something (heaven forbid! sickness, hawks, raccoons or old age) just replace with the ones you like the best.

You never ask silly questions! I like that you want more info on everything. Very good brain work!
And when you want to see the variety of birds you may be interested in just come on over. It seems I have many breeds in the free range flock. I have this problem.....an addiction, really. Pretty birds in the yard is nice to see.

 

[NellaBean]

Quote:
Oh, Janelle! I am so sorry to hear you were on the road for such a long time! Bless your heart, you won't read this until Monday because you will sleep forever to get over the exhaustion. Let's hope this is the worst trip you will ever have in your lifetime.
Glad to see the car got you back home though. I was very worried about you but I always am when you travel.

The firebird did great. No problems during the trip. Phew!

Who has time to sleep all day?? LOL. I did sleep from about 6 to 11.....then got up and went out to do chicken and bunny stuff. Cleaned out a couple of brooders...All the new bunnies are still in their travel tubs in the house. Too hot work on building! I think i may try it tonight after dark

The cute little hen laid an egg for me on the way home.....I have her and her little mister friend in a big 2x8 brooder in the garage. They can keep each other company for a couple weeks. i am tempted to just put her out in my mottled flock but Mr Mottled is a bit temperamental about new hens and it is SO HOT to be picked on right now.

How is good ol Cowboy doing? I just loved him!

 

[itsjustjen]

Just found out there is a HUGE chance I only have a few months left in this beautiful state! I have been holding out hope but hope seems to have passed us by this time. DH is getting transferred to an unknown destination within the next few months unless the powers that be ( aka the detailer ) change their minds.

The joys of the Navy!

Now I am bracing for the moving with 2 kids, a dog and cat, 3 horses, a duck and 3 chickens....pray for me now!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Oh, for pete's sake! Moving again!

I love our military but I wish they were a bit more consistent with families. Moving you all around all the time is just too hard. And it costs too much money!

You are in my prayers. Whatever life has in store for you all is probably wonderful but we do seem to hate to change.

Miss Janelle, Cowboy says thank you for bringing him down. He has picked out numerous girls that he wants for his very own and is busy telling them how great he will be to them! I, myself, am totally smitten with him!

Thank you, again!

 

[pinkwindsong]

Quote:
good grief... what a day for you.. must have been a big accident to close the road.??? I think Amy had the best idea,, next time we all go to her place, have a big picnic bbq, pot luck, type thing and have tents so you dont have to drive all that way back home same day..
hope the rest of your sunday is a happy and restful one..
bb )O(
Pink

 

[pinkwindsong]

Quote:
I remember growing up and every 2 years we were transfered to a new state. if that long.. when we came to SC my mom said.. thats it Im done... I m not moving anymore..

we've been here since 1981 and soo glad we stopped here.. love SC
]
good luck to you and yours and you will be in my prayers as well as your husband for his safety and security in service..

blessed be )O(
Pink

 

[pinkwindsong]

Quote:
you;ll have to post pics of him.. I told mom all about him she was so mad that she missed coming out... and the puppy client.. NO SHOW>> ahhh
Oh will you post pics of Bo Bo too... Told mom how fantastic he is. and she would love to see a pic..

smiles and happy happy to all
Pink

 

[huckleberryfarm]

Quote:
Congratulations! My sister got married in Jamaica and we went down for it. Had a blast!

If anyone is interested in some Wheaten French Marans chicks, let me know. I have 8 available that are about 10 days old. Cute cute!

What's up with this weather? It's way too hot for May. I just looked at the 10 day forecast and every day is mid 90's.

I hate hot weather and so do my chickens!

On a positive note, my kids are done with school for the year and we are officially on summer break! Woo hoo!!!! Now that I love.

 

[gjensen]

Quote:
That depends alot on what you have, as to whether or not they would mix well. There is variance from breed to breed, strain to strain, and individual to indivdual as far as personality goes. I have two strains of Barred Rocks, one strain is a bit assertive and the other tends to be easy going. I have a line of New Hampshires that is exceptionally quiet and one that is pretty active and noisy. All of my Delewares are exceptionally friendly, but hold their own well in a flock. It is a matter of your tastes mostly. That is why their is so many breeds. I prefer American dual purpouse breeds especially those I mentioned, but if everyone had the same breeds keeping poultry would not be as interesting. Find someone that knows their birds, ask questions, be careful about what problems you could bring in, and get what appeals most to you.