Survey about your CHICKENS!!!

[Sonoran Silkies]

I have to say my orps are far more likely to try to pick on the other birds than to be picked on. But for the most part they are aloof and hang out with each other, pretty much ignoring the rest of the flock as well as people.

 

[Shesapip]

What made you choose a particular breed of chicken? jumpy

Here in Northwest Oregon, we've had such a shortage of chickens that I took what I could get! First was a yearling Delaware and a Speckled Sussex - both sweet, the SS a bit skittish but still friendly. The Delaware got very sick but became a dear pal after her special nursing days in the house - now LOVES to be picked up and petted. The SS lets me pick her up sometimes but makes it clear she's uncomfortable.

Then came a yearling Red Leghorn and a Barred Rock. The RL is not touchy-feely at all but soon was chattering happily at me whenever I came out. The Barred Rock is interested in what the neighbors are doing, what I'm doing, what the dogs are doing... and she lets me pick her up and pet her.

Then came 4 RIR pullets. I have not handled them as much and they get picked on by the bigger ones, so they stay off to themselves when it's treat time. They have in the past allowed me to hold them and pet them. I do my best to be sure they get their fair share at treat time.

Then came two year-old RIR hens, one two weeks out of a 'possum attack and with untreated wounds from her midsection back. A few days in Holly's Home Hospital and Baby (from "It's okay, Baby. Almost done, Baby.") was like a puppy dog - wherever you were, she wanted to be. She was picked on at her previous home and I did my best to look out for her as she adjusted to life in the backyard.

Baby wanted to be back in the protection of her dog crate in the house, and for two or three nights, when all the other hens had settled in the coop, she would huddle by the door in the cold or rain until I brought her in, dried her off, and settled her in the crate. She would brawk happily to herself until she dozed off.

Happily, Baby is healing nicely, although it will be many months before she has her full complement of feathers on her back end. She is not being picked on as much, but while I can't agree with an earlier post that RIRs can be mean to other chickens, I will say that they will push ahead of other chickens for any advantage when it comes to food.


Was there a chicken breed that you regretted getting? I love each of my chickens for different reasons. But since I wanted chickens for egg production to supplement my income, I would have to say I would prefer to have all Rhode Island Reds. They give six huge eggs a week, vs. 4 medium with the Del, SS, BR (M-L) and 6 small with the Red Leghorn. In defense of my RIRs, they are very easily tamed and they don't pick on any other chicken but Little Red, the Leghorn, which makes me sad, but she's fast and keeps to herself.




What other breeds do you want to add to your flock? love If I had more land and didn't have the production imperative, I'd like to try some Ameraucanas (I'm holding one for sale that has two toes on its' back toes, blue legs, and a tufted head - she's crazy-looking and so cool!) and some Silver-laced Wyandottes.

I'm just so happy with what I've got, I really don't mind if I don't get the chance!

Fun survey! Thanks!

 

[kyeschicks]

What made you choose a particular breed of chicken?
Well I really don't have a particular breed I have only mutts xD and some pure ones but they are producing more mutts.


Was there a chicken breed that you regretted getting?
I was going to get a silkie but they scare me lol

What other breeds do you want to add to your flock?
d'Uccles! I have a plan called Delta-MX102 Project Version 1.0 that im planning to make anytime now.

 

[kyeschicks]

go here https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1979527#p1979527 and read page #2

 

[embkm]

Quote:
Most of my breeds, I've gotten by chance. The ones that just happened to be available when I was looking for hens. They've all been decent to great layers and that was my primary concern.

BUT my first chickens ever were OEGB that I got at an auction. They were just too cute and I got a bunch of eggs from the hens and one went broody.

Of all my chickens, I am most disappointed with my Barred Rocks. I'd been told they were friendly but every one I've had has been so standoffish. They dont' interact with us at all. The only reason I still have one is because DH likes the way they look the best. I have a new chick in the brooder, I hope being raising it myself will help its personality.

I want to add more bantams. I already have/ had most of the large breeds I was interested in... now I am just trying to decide which I like best to narrow it down to just 2-3 breeds.

I love the OEGB hens. The roos not so much. They were nasty, mean, agressive monsters.

 

[The Poultry Peanut]

kees wrote:
What made you choose a particular breed of chicken?

bearded d'anvers because they are so friendly

Was there a chicken breed that you regretted getting?

not yet

What other breeds do you want to add to your flock?

silkies: buff, blue, black, white, partridge, and splash

For any of the above questions, if the gender of the bird has affected/does affect your answers, can you explain why?

Suzy

ETA the bolded is my writing

 

[kees]

Quote:
Why do Silkies scare you?

 

[wanda047]

What made you choose a particular breed of chicken?
Buff Orpingtons for dual purpose, cold hardy and personality.

The Buff Silkies because I was interested/fascinated with their breed and wanted some chickens for pets. Also their broodiness was a plus.

Was there a chicken breed that you regretted getting?
not yet.

What other breeds do you want to add to your flock?
More silkies for sure... buffs and white in particular. I also have cochin bantams in the incubator. I think I'll like these. Plus I'm definitely interested in getting some frizzles!

 

[lichick28]

I choose the silkie for their beauty and calmness. The breed I regret getting is the Lakenvelder (hens) They ran around like nervous wrecks and I couldnt relax with them running around like that.

 

[warmfuzzies]

What made you choose a particular breed of chicken?
I did a lot of research before choosing my breeds. (As much as I could, we diddnt have the i-net then.) I wanted something that could hatch its own eggs, and we were interested more in meat then laying ability. I wanted a dual purpose breed that was pretty hardy and a good free ranger. I was also taken by the thought of rarer, heritage type birds.

I chose partridge plymouth rocks for our main breed. I am hoping to have a lot of babies later, and sell the pullets and eat the roos. I love them, and while they are friendly, they are not quite as tame as the cochins.

I got cochins, because I love them and ever since I saw them I knew I just had to have some! They are the focus of my breeding program right now, as I really want to get the broody trait stronger in them.


Was there a chicken breed that you regretted getting? YES!!! Well, not the breed, just the chicken! We were given a EE rooster, and he was just an ugly old mean thing!! No, he wasnt that bad. He was only ugly to me because he hated my DS. He would go after my DD sometimes, but my SD couldnt even go outside.

He has now found a new home with some other BYCers, and they LOVE him, so it was just my DS he had problems with. But I really have no interest in EEs at all.


What other breeds do you want to add to your flock? Right now I am interested in light brahmas. I love the feather footed breeds, and they are supposed to be broody. i would like to introduce them into my cochin line later for added broodyness. And maybe OEG and silkies for broody hens too. But, I am kinda skered of those silkies, too!!

For any of the above questions, if the gender of the bird has affected/does affect your answers, can you explain why? Just that EE rooster! Our partridge rock rooster was one gorgeous boy, but we ate him becasue he was mean too. I know now how to fix that, and I currently have three rock roosters I am raising to replace him.

My Cochin rooster is not friendly or tame, he wasnt raised by me. But he has never threatened anyone. He is just watchful.