The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Bantambird]

You are in the south, so combs aren't so much of an issue for you, correct? Pendescenda lay dark Terra Cotta colored eggs, with huge combs.
There's also welsummer, another dark layer.

 

[karenej]

I love my Welsummers. Very cool dark speckled eggs. Took them awhile to lay but worth the wait and they are soooo pretty.

 

[chickforchicks]

Ok, it's just that I'm a fan of dark eggs. I think ok take out the SFH, does that sound good?

I also have a Welsummer and yes, the eggs are great and she's a consistent layer. I've been researching and want to get some dark brahmas next. They have dark eggs and are larger birds so they'll be good for processing too. I don't have any of the brahmas yet, so if I'm wrong about them feel free to correct me.

 

[karenej]

I think dark brahmas have light brown eggs. Could be wrong though... Never had one myself.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are more petite, that does make them look prettier. How do their personalities compare?

I have owned two Speckled Sussex, my second is from last year's batch. Both have been without personality. They both sat, sit, around a lot, and generally are quiet placid birds that don't lay well.

My Ancona are a bit more active and curious. I wouldn't call them flighty, just aloof, and independent. They aren't meek, they talk a lot, and forage well. They also lay well.

So I personally will never get anymore speckled Sussex due to them being blah. Ancona are animated and take care of themselves. I'm sure if I actually handled my chicks they would be even more friendly.

 

[CuzChickens]

I have owned two Speckled Sussex, my second is from last year's batch. Both have been without personality. They both sat, sit, around a lot, and generally are quiet placid birds that don't lay well.

My Ancona are a bit more active and curious. I wouldn't call them flighty, just aloof, and independent. They aren't meek, they talk a lot, and forage well. They also lay well.

So I personally will never get anymore speckled Sussex due to them being blah. Ancona are animated and take care of themselves. I'm sure if I actually handled my chicks they would be even more friendly.

Really? I LOVE my Speckled Sussex, they are not the best layers, but they are pretty, and oh so curious and friendly! My rooster jumps in my lap and falls asleep every chance he gets, and my hens love nothing more than playing with my shoelaces.

Next hens I separate for breeding will be Speckled Sussex. I can not wait for chipmunk chicks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Really? I LOVE my Speckled Sussex, they are not the best layers, but they are pretty, and oh so curious and friendly! My rooster jumps in my lap and falls asleep every chance he gets, and my hens love nothing more than playing with my shoelaces.

Next hens I separate for breeding will be Speckled Sussex. I can not wait for chipmunk chicks!

Those are some good looking birds, your rooster is gorgeous. I guess that's why there are so many breeds as everyone likes something different in their birds. Chicken keeping would be boring if they were all the same, and we all liked the same breed.

Speckled Sussex seem too easy going for me, apparently I like a bit of bossy and feistyness to my birds. The meek ones can end up in trouble in my large mixed breed flock. I have noticed the Sussex, barnevelder and the salmon faverolle always seem to be in the bottom of the pecking order, so they are good all around birds, that don't make troubles. On the other end of the spectrum I don't keep sex links as I find them too aggressive and bossy.

I keep my birds mainly because I enjoy watching them, so flash and interesting behaviors is what I'm looking for.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Interesting @oldhenlikesdogs description of the Speckled Sussex and Ancona.

My SFH behave more like your description of the Ancona in personality...but I'd never say that I've had a GREAT layer. One of the new pullets seems to be laying exceptionally well so I'll have to watch her. All my sfh are from breeder. The ones that I've see them call SFH at the various hatcheries don't resemble SFH very much...especially the roosters. Not sure exactly what they really are so I can't comment on them.


@CuzChickens
What part of the country are you located in? That hen is very pretty! Looks very much like SFH.

I tend to prefer "birds of color"...particularly black base and chocolate base with flowering. Do the Sussex have specific breed standards as far as color?

That's one think I like about SFH...being "landrace" the colors are endless. The only "loose standard" are items like leg color, no sprigs, a basic body shape. Other than that, the colors are amazingly endless. They're like that proverbial "box of chocolates"...you never know what you're going to get

 

[GreatBreeder]

I appreciate all the recommendations, but I'd like to have a Barnvelder. Wondering which breed I should replace, because I'm getting a flock of 10 with 5 different breeds, two chickens each breed. My original plan was:
-2 Swedish Flower Hens
-2 Barred Rock Hens
-2 White Laced Red Cornish
-2 Ancona Hens
-2 Andalausian Hens
The next year I will add 5 Silver Appleyard ducks. I want to replace the one with the worst production, not that any are particularly bad, I just want the dark eggs of the Barnvelders.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I appreciate all the recommendations, but I'd like to have a Barnvelder. Wondering which breed I should replace, because I'm getting a flock of 10 with 5 different breeds, two chickens each breed. My original plan was:
-2 Swedish Flower Hens
-2 Barred Rock Hens
-2 White Laced Red Cornish
-2 Ancona Hens
-2 Andalausian Hens
The next year I will add 5 Silver Appleyard ducks. I want to replace the one with the worst production, not that any are particularly bad, I just want the dark eggs of the Barnvelders.

My barnevelder do lay dark eggs but no where near what a Maran does. I accidentally got a blue copper Maran who was supposed to be a blue Cochin last year. Her eggs are striking. My barnevelder are average to poor layers, most dark egged birds are. I'm waiting to see when my Maran will fizzle out, maybe she will be better than the cuckoo Maran which I wasn't impressed with. I do enjoy the subtle beauty of the double laced barnevelder. You will have to decide which birds you want just one of.