Starting Out with New Breed suggestions

[NHMountainMan]

My plan when I retire in a few years is to take a breed that is endangered and do my small part in preserving it.

That's a wonderful idea. Imagine what this community could do for that engaged list!

 

[Gray Farms]

Check out 55 Flowery Hens

 

[Amer]

Rose combed Anconas?
I would like the rose-combed ones in the future, so I can only tell you of my experience with single-combed ones.
Very heat tolerant, and lay like Leghorns but have great personalities.
I like their personality better than most of the other breeds I’ve owned. Anconas are curious, friendly, and while they are flighty as younger birds I like them because they’ll tame up nicely and explore every part of the yard, making much of their food out of the range.
They are perhaps the only large fowl I wanted to keep because of their friendliness.
They also lay large white eggs through the winter. (As long as you use lights.) Mine are still going strong.
Obviously they have a few disadvantages. The females are somewhat cold tolerant but the males will have issues with the weather. Rose-combed ones would probably solve that problem. They lay white eggs. If you don’t want white eggs, I wouldn’t recommend them. And they aren’t autosexing. A given if you are to pick a heritage breed. They also don’t have a quality carcass, though they grow fast.
They may not be the best choice, but out of the breeds I’ve personally experienced, they are the best for your situation.

 

[CatWhisperer]

What about creating an autosexing mixed breed with the qualities you want? Like crossing leg bars with something that has a smaller comb and is a good layer? I would purchase blue egg laying hens that do well in the winter.

 

[Amer]

What about creating an autosexing mixed breed with the qualities you want? Like crossing leg bars with something that has a smaller comb and is a good layer? I would purchase blue egg laying hens that do well in the winter.

Like Ameraucanas? I know someone who crossed Bielfelders with silver Ameraucanas to do that.