Starting over- Buckeyes, Swedish Flower, Speckled Sussex, Chocolate Orp,

[CraziChknLady]

In a few years ( about 2-3) I will start over and have been looking at a variety of breeds. After having a Mycoplasma flock, I want to source from reputable breeders and stock. This time frame would also allow me to completely clean/ disinfect, do repairs, reinforce fencing as well as adding better ventilation, added features such as a roost trap door for cleaning, and add plants/ more shade ( chicken safe of course). My first thought is to start off with Buckeyes then each year or so introduce a new breed.
I plan to start off with Buckeyes and then wanted to introduce New Hampshires, but have heard they can be mean or bullies to other breeds. I have not had luck with any RIR's, or mixes like Amberlinks. They have been mean and attack other chickens.
I also have experience with Swedish Flower Hens, Speckled Sussex, Buff Orpington and Chocolate Orp. I really want to stay within the brown color scheme, or white if it's a speckled or swedish, or a jubilee Orp if I could get one of those. Those seem to work the best for my area. Brahmas, feathered feet or solid white do not fare well. Others I'm interested in the french black copper maran and cream legbar, especially for the different colored eggs...this would help to know who's laying what eggs. I plan to throw in some solid blacks like an Australorp, Black Sex link, or Black Orp. Does anyone recommend any breeders or farms? Any experience with Buckeyes or other breeds? Any recommendations as far as farms that test or vaccinate when purchasing chicks? I will try to stay as local as possible. My main goal is to have a backyard flock that's predator aware as well as getting eggs. I know you are probably thinking, why is she looking/researching now? Research can take time and I like to plan ahead. Plus I'm not online everyday. Any ideas, resources, links would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[CraziChknLady]

In a few years ( about 2-3) I will start over and have been looking at a variety of breeds. After having a Mycoplasma flock, I want to source from reputable breeders and stock. This time frame would also allow me to completely clean/ disinfect, do repairs, reinforce fencing as well as adding better ventilation, added features such as a roost trap door for cleaning, and add plants/ more shade ( chicken safe of course). My first thought is to start off with Buckeyes then each year or so introduce a new breed.
I plan to start off with Buckeyes and then wanted to introduce New Hampshires, but have heard they can be mean or bullies to other breeds. I have not had luck with any RIR's, or mixes like Amberlinks. They have been mean and attack other chickens.
I also have experience with Swedish Flower Hens, Speckled Sussex, Buff Orpington and Chocolate Orp. I really want to stay within the brown color scheme, or white if it's a speckled or swedish, or a jubilee Orp if I could get one of those. Those seem to work the best for my area. Brahmas, feathered feet or solid white do not fare well. Others I'm interested in the french black copper maran and cream legbar, especially for the different colored eggs...this would help to know who's laying what eggs. I plan to throw in some solid blacks like an Australorp, Black Sex link, or Black Orp. Does anyone recommend any breeders or farms? Any experience with Buckeyes or other breeds? Any recommendations as far as farms that test or vaccinate when purchasing chicks? I will try to stay as local as possible. My main goal is to have a backyard flock that's predator aware as well as getting eggs. I know you are probably thinking, why is she looking/researching now? Research can take time and I like to plan ahead. Plus I'm not online everyday. Any ideas, resources, links would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

For reference I'm in TN. Summers are hot, humidity is even brutal. Last few years winters haven't been bad, but we have had a few weeks where temps plummeted (teens with wind chills even colder). Live on top of a hill so an open air coop is not possible, we get heavy winds and storms that blow through daily in spring.

 

[NorthFLChickenChick]

Hi there, first, so sorry to hear about your experience with Mycoplasma in your flock, so devastating. I read about your plans, and I can offer some personal experience and suggestions based on my own flock and research...but this is only my opinion and also keep in mind that my personal experience is from one breeder here in Florida

1st-Buckeyes-I actually never had the pleasure of owning this breed but they are on my bucket list...and I believe that I read somewhere that the breed is 'threatened'? So good on you for keeping the heritage breed in circulation. Only positive reviews on the breed from my recollection but the selling point for me was that they actually HUNT RODENTS, which to me, is a win/win living in a rural area with my yard backing to the woods.

2nd-Chocolate Orpingtons-I had four, sadly lost one to a Bobcat a few months ago (my first of only two birds lost to a predator in my five years of chicken keeping, both to bobcats...now we have an electric fence). Mixed review on these fluffy butts. Orpingtons in general, I love...I also have a Buff and two Lavender...one of the Lavenders is half puppy...lol...she's my absolute favorite animal ever) However, I purchased these Chocolate orps as 6 week old pullets, along with a pair of 8wk old Hampbars, and maybe it was because they were too old to bond with us (God knows, we tried) but they have always been a bit flighty, and then once we adopted an 8wk old Production Blue cockerel, who grew into a big hunk of a Roo...they quickly became his groupies, and now are actually my BULLIES of the flock. I know, very uncharacteristic of Orpingtons, but their temperament is not my favorite. Aside from following the big boy around all day and harassing the other girls who are trying to lay eggs, they ARE consistent layers of large to extra large eggs. I would definitely check with other choc orp owners bc my situation could very well be an outlier, and perhaps if I only had one or two, raised as day old chicks, the outcome could have been very different.

3rd-Speckled Sussex-I only had one, raised as baby chick. She was my other bobcat casualty. She was gorgeous, sweet natured, a good layer, and had bonded with my polish roo, her clutch mate...their story is on my page. I want another SS, but no one will replace my Poppy

4th-Black Australorp-I have one, Pepper, raised as a baby chick. Beautiful shiny black that glimmers green in the sunlight. Not extremely huggy, but docile and gets along well with everyone in the flock. She was BFFs with my silkie roo for a long time...but once the Production Blue Roo came along, well, she tossed poor Dixie to the curb. Then SHE got swapped out for the chocolate Orpingtons, so she and Dixie are friends again...but no benefits. Excellent layer as well.

5th-suggestion-Welsummer-Beautiful but flighty, does not really get into anybodies drama, lays gorgeous brown speckled eggs.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[CraziChknLady]

Hi there, first, so sorry to hear about your experience with Mycoplasma in your flock, so devastating. I read about your plans, and I can offer some personal experience and suggestions based on my own flock and research...but this is only my opinion and also keep in mind that my personal experience is from one breeder here in Florida

1st-Buckeyes-I actually never had the pleasure of owning this breed but they are on my bucket list...and I believe that I read somewhere that the breed is 'threatened'? So good on you for keeping the heritage breed in circulation. Only positive reviews on the breed from my recollection but the selling point for me was that they actually HUNT RODENTS, which to me, is a win/win living in a rural area with my yard backing to the woods.

2nd-Chocolate Orpingtons-I had four, sadly lost one to a Bobcat a few months ago (my first of only two birds lost to a predator in my five years of chicken keeping, both to bobcats...now we have an electric fence). Mixed review on these fluffy butts. Orpingtons in general, I love...I also have a Buff and two Lavender...one of the Lavenders is half puppy...lol...she's my absolute favorite animal ever) However, I purchased these Chocolate orps as 6 week old pullets, along with a pair of 8wk old Hampbars, and maybe it was because they were too old to bond with us (God knows, we tried) but they have always been a bit flighty, and then once we adopted an 8wk old Production Blue cockerel, who grew into a big hunk of a Roo...they quickly became his groupies, and now are actually my BULLIES of the flock. I know, very uncharacteristic of Orpingtons, but their temperament is not my favorite. Aside from following the big boy around all day and harassing the other girls who are trying to lay eggs, they ARE consistent layers of large to extra large eggs. I would definitely check with other choc orp owners bc my situation could very well be an outlier, and perhaps if I only had one or two, raised as day old chicks, the outcome could have been very different.

3rd-Speckled Sussex-I only had one, raised as baby chick. She was my other bobcat casualty. She was gorgeous, sweet natured, a good layer, and had bonded with my polish roo, her clutch mate...their story is on my page. I want another SS, but no one will replace my Poppy

4th-Black Australorp-I have one, Pepper, raised as a baby chick. Beautiful shiny black that glimmers green in the sunlight. Not extremely huggy, but docile and gets along well with everyone in the flock. She was BFFs with my silkie roo for a long time...but once the Production Blue Roo came along, well, she tossed poor Dixie to the curb. Then SHE got swapped out for the chocolate Orpingtons, so she and Dixie are friends again...but no benefits. Excellent layer as well.

5th-suggestion-Welsummer-Beautiful but flighty, does not really get into anybodies drama, lays gorgeous brown speckled eggs.

Hope this helps and good luck!

This is actually some great information!

Yes it's completely devastating. Sometimes I go back and forth but know it's the best decision. Plus I don't want to waste feed during winter and it will give time for repairs. ( Very hard to repair with 60, 40, or even 20 wandering around). Yes, I love that the buckeyes get rodents too, I forgot about that! Overall though, they are just a very hardy chicken. I have 1 chocolate Orp left. I had 2 but unfortunately the other was extremely sick. She was in the 1st batch to be culled. It was the sickest hens and roos ( as I had 11 roos at the time and really had to downsize). The one chocolate orp left is friendly and doesn't bully anyone else. The bullies I have are my Amberlinks. I do have a lavender orp but she is skittish, flighty and very small but I attribute the size to the disease as i know she is supposed to be more full looking. I had 4 Amberlinks but a dog attack took 2. Ironically they don't seem as bullish now. Maybe the whole flock/pack mentality stopped that? I also have 2 speckled Sussex that I often mix up with my Swedish Flowers.They look so alike!!!! I really like both those breeds and my Silver Laced Wyandotte Oreo who is as talkative as my BYM, Rosanne whom I think must be part Australorp as she does have the sheen but very short legs.....she's odd, like a regular size chicken but really short legs that makes her as tall as a banty. She was one of the originals I bought in a mixed flock, no clue her heritage. Altogether I think I have 20ish. 2 roos and rest hens, maybe more like 23. Something like that.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

When it comes to breeds, I've had almost everything and I agree with you that RIR's, RIR mixes and New Hampshires are on the aggressive side, I don't get those breeds anymore. The list you've got to me = all friendly, good egg layers. I don't know how many you plan to get in your first order but it can be really hard to ship exactly the mix of breeds that you want on exactly the same shipping day from Hatcheries. So what I'd do with all of this research time is start checking out the processes for chicks at all of my local feed stores. My feed store has a great reservation process where they put out a "week by breed" excel schedule in January. It's a time of year I totaly enjoy, I pick all different breeds arriving the same day. Just call up the store and make the reservation. I can get any number from 1 to many thanks to the very large order that the store places. Hope you enjoy the process starting over. Sounds like you deserve some fun!

 

[CraziChknLady]

Th

When it comes to breeds, I've had almost everything and I agree with you that RIR's, RIR mixes and New Hampshires are on the aggressive side, I don't get those breeds anymore. The list you've got to me = all friendly, good egg layers. I don't know how many you plan to get in your first order but it can be really hard to ship exactly the mix of breeds that you want on exactly the same shipping day from Hatcheries. So what I'd do with all of this research time is start checking out the processes for chicks at all of my local feed stores. My feed store has a great reservation process where they put out a "week by breed" excel schedule in January. It's a time of year I totaly enjoy, I pick all different breeds arriving the same day. Just call up the store and make the reservation. I can get any number from 1 to many thanks to the very large order that the store places. Hope you enjoy the process starting over. Sounds like you deserve some fun!

That is a wonderful idea! I would have to check as I'm in-between towns so there's a few stores I can go too. I know I've gotten the chocolate & buff Orp as well as speckled sussex at my local feed store, but have never seen the buckeyes or swedish flowers available . When I did order the SFH last year , it was from a smaller breeder in another state but was only a straight run. Sadly I lost some and had to cull all the boys, the one roo I kept was attacked by a dog and didn't make it. Very upsetting. I literally got a 50/50 split though. I thought I might try Mt Healthy for the buckeyes or search for a breeder. That breed is not available in my area so I will definitely have to order and probably mail in. ( Maybe I'm on to something with the niche breeds?) I'm looking at keeping my numbers 10-15. Although currently 20 seems ideal, but Im planning on rebuilding and moving a coop and using the coop I have now as storage, so I think 10-15 is where I will start. I would like at least 1 roo. Figured I'd get 10 buckeyes and a few solid black other breed. So far the yard fencing with electrical, dogs , roos and black hens are all working. It's just the enclosure/run and coop I need situated. Which is also why it will take a couple years. Soil will need retilled as water runoff and erosion is bad. Add more plants and more full enclosed runs ( top is open at the moment). I'm also adding hardware cloth along bottom of enclosure and burying for predator/mice.

 

[SnackMeat]

How's your plan going? So happy to see Buckeyes mentioned. They are such friendly looking birds with a fun origin story. I think they're so much cooler than RIR. Haven't had but also on my chicken list.


I was going to say that if you have your eye in any ornamentals, starting from scratch for a mixed flock is the best time. I would be leery of introducing silkies, for example, to a tight knit flock, but so far, raising so many breeds up together, I haven't had any issue (besides, cockerels being turds but they're turds to everyone and are being handled as each one becomes too pest-y.)

 

[Folly's place]

Here we've loved our Speckled Sussex, hens, and will always have some in our flock. Also Buckeyes, and Australorps are nice. Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes come in a variety of colors, we liked the buff Rocks very well too. Easter Eggers, yes! Then either Barnvelders or Welsummers for dark eggs, and no feathered feet like the French Marans. I do like the Marans, but egg production has been erratic, at best.
We have been very happy with our Cackle chicks, and get them vaccinate against Marek's disease as a precaution.
I'm paranoid about biosecurity, and don't ever get chicks from private breeders or any 'random sources' to avoid nasty diseases, like the Mycoplasma episode you had. So sorry about that, be careful and avoid it in the future!
Look at Henderson's chart for more ideas!
And best to place your order no later than January, or as soon as the hatchery opens orders for 2026, for your best chance to get the breeds you want.
Mary

 

[CraziChknLady]

Here we've loved our Speckled Sussex, hens, and will always have some in our flock. Also Buckeyes, and Australorps are nice. Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes come in a variety of colors, we liked the buff Rocks very well too. Easter Eggers, yes! Then either Barnvelders or Welsummers for dark eggs, and no feathered feet like the French Marans. I do like the Marans, but egg production has been erratic, at best.
We have been very happy with our Cackle chicks, and get them vaccinate against Marek's disease as a precaution.
I'm paranoid about biosecurity, and don't ever get chicks from private breeders or any 'random sources' to avoid nasty diseases, like the Mycoplasma episode you had. So sorry about that, be careful and avoid it in the future!
Look at Henderson's chart for more ideas!
And best to place your order no later than January, or as soon as the hatchery opens orders for 2026, for your best chance to get the breeds you want.
Mary

Yes the Australorps and French Marans are on my list. I'm a little hesitant with certain hatcheries due to the reviews. Previously some of my farm feed store chicks were purchased there and some didn't fair well. Also looking back at the Swedish Flower hens, more than half had a vaulted head. Plus they were the most " wanderlust" chickens I had. While they are beautiful, definitely won't get them again. I think most of my problems was biosecurity, mainly wild birds and the weather. I also think the original 8 I started off with were sick. I have looked at the American Buckeye Club and they have a list of breeders as well. I want to start off with a good stock and really like the darker coloring of the Buckeyes (some are lighter), so I will have to research which breeder has which strains. I'm going to start off with Buckeyes and then introduce some Speckled Sussex.
I want a hardy large duel purpose bird with a pea comb. Keeping with the speckled pattern, or at least brown, white, light brown coloring. Eventually I want to introduce some Leige Fighters or maybe Jersey Giant? Not sure. But it will be quite a while for that. Need to redo the coop area and fencing first. Probably will be a year or two. When the time comes, Figured I will need to get chicks around Aug. This way by wintertime will be about 4-5 months and by spring, should start laying. They'll be 8-9 months at that point. That's the general idea.

 

[CraziChknLady]

How's your plan going? So happy to see Buckeyes mentioned. They are such friendly looking birds with a fun origin story. I think they're so much cooler than RIR. Haven't had but also on my chicken list.


I was going to say that if you have your eye in any ornamentals, starting from scratch for a mixed flock is the best time. I would be leery of introducing silkies, for example, to a tight knit flock, but so far, raising so many breeds up together, I haven't had any issue (besides, cockerels being turds but they're turds to everyone and are being handled as each one becomes too pest-y.)