Top 5 Backyard Chicken Breeds

[l-o-v-e]

I have 8 R.I.R CHICKS AND ENJOY THEM TO BITS

 

[blueshirt8876]

I see a LOT more Buff Orpingtons than I do Jersey Giants and as others have pointed out it really should be Easter Eggers rather than Ameracaunas. The rest of the list I generally agree with though the Rhode Island Reds should probably just be Reds since they are often a varying mix of real Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshires, and various crosses that come out looking more or less like a Rhode Island Red.

Well, actually, Easter Eggers are any chicken laying blue or green eggs (which includes Ameraucanas, Aracanas, etc.). Get your facts right before you go off complaining.

 

[speckledhen]

Well, actually, Easter Eggers are any chicken laying blue or green eggs (which includes Ameraucanas, Aracanas, etc.). Get your facts right before you go off complaining.

Sorry to correct you, but an Ameraucana is not considered an Easter Egger. An Araucana is not considered an Easter Egger, either. Easter Eggers are the mixed genetics birds hatcheries sell that do not conform to the standard for Ameraucanas and, even less so to Araucanas, which are super rare. An Easter Egger from a hatchery can also lay a brown egg, have any leg or eye color, etc. So the term "Easter Egger" is used to distinguish the hatchery types with mixed colors of plumage, leg, eye, egg and off body types from the true breeds. Nothing wrong with Easter Eggers, of course. I have both BBS Ameraucanas from a breeder as well as great Easter Egger hens.


Wasn't really sure whether this thread was supposed to be the Top Five that people actually own, or the Top Five favorites, because everyone has their favorites, but the hatcheries sell limited breeds to the feed stores and many people buy what is available and have more of those than other breeds, just because of simple availability. For example, more people in the U.S. probably own Easter Eggers than Ameraucanas, even if they don't realize that's what they have, just because the general public is buying their backyard layers from hatchery shipments to feed stores and hatcheries don't sell Ameraucanas.

I mean, is it the best, or most popular or most common, five?

 

[UrbanMamaHen]

I have four eight-week old chicks, two Welsummers, one EE, and one Red Star. I am an urban flock owner so four is the max number of chickens I could have where I live. I picked these breeds because I wanted eggs that are not typically sold in markets, smaller sized, good layers, and good temperament. I had RIR before, and they are too aggressive for my taste. I got the Red Star because I wanted to make sure I have a good layer, not having any experience with the other two breeds. The Red Star is turning out to be more aggressive than expected, and bullies the EE constantly. The EE is the prettiest in the group, but she is so submissive. She started out being the biggest chick but is now the smallest. I would go for a Plymouth Rock the next time since these are more gentle based on what I have read. The Welsummers are friendly and are not aggressive at all. If they are good layers, they would be high on my list of top five favorite breeds.

 

[blueshirt8876]

Sorry to correct you, but an Ameraucana is not considered an Easter Egger. An Araucana is not considered an Easter Egger, either. Easter Eggers are the mixed genetics birds hatcheries sell that do not conform to the standard for Ameraucanas and, even less so to Araucanas, which are super rare. An Easter Egger from a hatchery can also lay a brown egg, have any leg or eye color, etc. So the term "Easter Egger" is used to distinguish the hatchery types with mixed colors of plumage, leg, eye, egg and off body types from the true breeds. Nothing wrong with Easter Eggers, of course. I have both BBS Ameraucanas from a breeder as well as great Easter Egger hens.


Wasn't really sure whether this thread was supposed to be the Top Five that people actually own, or the Top Five favorites, because everyone has their favorites, but the hatcheries sell limited breeds to the feed stores and many people buy what is available and have more of those than other breeds, just because of simple availability. For example, more people in the U.S. probably own Easter Eggers than Ameraucanas, even if they don't realize that's what they have, just because the general public is buying their backyard layers from hatchery shipments to feed stores and hatcheries don't sell Ameraucanas.

I mean, is it the best, or most popular or most common, five?

Just look at the facts at the Ameraucana Breeders Club
Link:http://www.ameraucana.org/faq.html#TWO

 

[Joultry]

I have a rhode island red rooster,5 rhode island red hens,2speckled sussox hens and a mix between a orphington X with a frizzle.My rooster does his job and
so do my hens i have no complants about my flock.they are gentle,sweet,and docile.I just had two chicks hatch yesterday and would post pictures but i have no idea how. Can i have a little help please?:/

 

[Bullitt]

I have a rhode island red rooster,5 rhode island red hens,2speckled sussox hens and a mix between a orphington X with a frizzle.My rooster does his job and
so do my hens i have no complants about my flock.they are gentle,sweet,and docile.I just had two chicks hatch yesterday and would post pictures but i have no idea how. Can i have a little help please?

When you reply, you will see a symbol that is for inserting an image. Select a picture or pictures saved on your computer, and that should do it.

I am not sure I can help with technical difficulties.

 

[Bullitt]

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, the ester egger debate seems to keep going on. It is not a breed, so there are different definitions.

The breeds on the list are the most popular breeds in probably the United States and Canada. And the "breeds" are what people say they have, so easter egger is included.

 

[Bullitt]

This is the list of "breeds" that people say they own in the United States and Canada. Feel free to suggest changes or debate the list.


The Backyard Baker's Dozen

1. Plymouth Rock

2. Rhode Island Red

3. "Easter Egger"

4. Orpington

5. Leghorn

6. Australorp

7. Sex-Link (There are several hybrids, such as Red Sex-Link and Black Sex-Link)

8. New Hampshire

9. Wyandotte

10. Welsummer

11. Cochin

12. Old English Game Bantam

13. Silkies

 

[Joultry]

ive got 2 speckled sussox and im pure alabamian