Top 5 Backyard Chicken Breeds

[Robert Blosl]

I would like to see a list of the most friendly/kind breed to the most aggressive/Skittish breeds that everyone has in their flocks. We own several breeds, and I would have to rank our flock in this order from friendly/Docile to Aggressive/Skittish:

1. Cochins
2. Orpingtons
3. Australorp
4 Easter Eggers
5. Speckled Leghorns
6. RIR
7. White Leghorns
8. Brown Leghorns

Thats pretty much how our flock goes in order. If it weren't for the white and brown Leghorns being fabulous layers, I wouldn't own them. We have the speckled Leghorns, and they are a lot calmer, and more docile, but they miss days of laying.

I would like to see a list of the most meanest in the usa sold by hatcheries? My vote the production red why are they like that?

For the kindest and tamest Buff Brahmas and White Plymonth Rocks.

 

[jrottie]

I would like to see a list of the most meanest in the usa sold by hatcheries? My vote the production red why are they like that?

For the kindest and tamest Buff Brahmas and White Plymonth Rocks.

I would like to find a white rock around here(SW Ohio). They like the Cochins are getting rare. I didnt see either at the last two swaps I went to. I have 3 blue Cochins(1 roo, 2 hens), and A lady stopped by here last week and wanted to buy them. My wife would not be happy...lol

 

[Robert Blosl]

There are a few breeders left. I have had these for 30 years and the guy I got them from in Calif had them for 20. They are one of the oldest pure lines left. Many have crossed strains over they years but I have kept this one pure. I pushed them to be good layers in order to get good feather quality. I did this with my Rhode Island Red Strain that strain is still pure after 100 years. We have one cockerel down here that is the best I have seen in 30 years. He won Champion of a show in Flordia about a month ago and entered in a show this weekend. I hope to have pictures of him at this show. I will post his last picture in a few miniutes on a new web site we built called the Red Barrons. bob

 

[leghornfarm]

I would like to see a list of the most friendly/kind breed to the most aggressive/Skittish breeds that everyone has in their flocks. We own several breeds, and I would have to rank our flock in this order from friendly/Docile to Aggressive/Skittish:

1. Cochins
2. Orpingtons
3. Australorp
4 Easter Eggers
5. Speckled Leghorns
6. RIR
7. White Leghorns
8. Brown Leghorns

Thats pretty much how our flock goes in order. If it weren't for the white and brown Leghorns being fabulous layers, I wouldn't own them. We have the speckled Leghorns, and they are a lot calmer, and more docile, but they miss days of laying.

Which Leghorns are you referring to as speckled? I've seen the Exchequer and the Mille Fleur. I believe in the UK they call the Mille fleur speckled.

 

[jrottie]

Exchequer, crossed with a standard white. Black speckled white leghorn. Fantastic layers, and a whole lot calmer, than my regular whites.

 

[Chick Charm]

Well just for giggles, here's mine:

As far as what I see (and have raised) as being the most popular

1) Rhode Island (reds and whites)
2) Plymouth Rocks (barred, and white)
3) Leghorns (all of them) FogHorn is still a legend.
4) Sex Links (all of them)
5) Easter Eggers

 

[cobbcruiser]

I'm a newbie, but what I see here locally in Atlanta metro area in terms of what's selling the most:

1. RIR
2. Buff Orp
3. Barred Rocks
4. Sex Links
5. Variety of others

 

[hfaucett]

I know exactly diddly bupkis about whether the named breeds are true to form, but I've been watching the 4-H poultry show in our county for the last 10 years or so, as well as what the local TSC, Big R, and Rural King get in. I think the "top 10" list is pretty accurate. I do see quite a few Golden Comets and Red Sex Links.

Here is what I picked up to raise this year (all from TSC/Mt. Healthy and Big R/don't know which hatchery):

1. Black Giants/Jersey Giants
2. Tetra Tint (RIR/Leghorn cross)
3. Buff Orpington
4. Mixed red pullets
5. Ameraucanas (supposedly)

Came close to getting some barred rocks, but I feel like I've got a house full right now. Will probably thin out the flock a bit as the year goes on, and get some new blood next year.

 

[UrbanMamaHen]

Well just for giggles, here's mine:

As far as what I see (and have raised) as being the most popular

1) Rhode Island (reds and whites)
2) Plymouth Rocks (barred, and white)
3) Leghorns (all of them) FogHorn is still a legend.  
4) Sex Links (all of them)
5) Easter Eggers

I got RIR the first time I raised chickens. They were great layers but I found them to be too aggressive to my Ameraucanas. I would not keep RIRs with the more docile breeds as I don't think that is a good combo based on my experience.

 

[LillianMae]

Here's my version of the list, or at least what I like the best
1. Blue Andalusians
2. Black Sex Links
3. Rhode Island Reds
4. Wyandottes
5. Mixed Breeds
6. California Greys