Top 5 Backyard Chicken Breeds

[Michael OShay]

True, hybrids are not breeds. That could explain why there are no hybrids on the list.

If a person wants eggs, the White Leghorn is difficult to beat. But hybrids are great for eggs also.

I've had White Leghorns in the past, and you're right, they are egg laying machines, but they are just too high strung and flighty for my taste. Mine screamed bloody murder whenever I handled them, and my children hated them (they liked to make pets out of our chickens). ) Also, in really cold, winter weather, my Sex Links outlayed them. These were the reasons why White Leghorns didn't make my top 5 list. I had the Austra Whites in place of the Leghorns as the Australorp roo in them calms them down.

 

[Bullitt]

I've had White Leghorns in the past, and you're right, they are egg laying machines, but they are just too high strung and flighty for my taste. Mine screamed bloody murder whenever I handled them, and my children hated them (they liked to make pets out of our chickens). ) Also, in really cold, winter weather, my Sex Links outlayed them. These were the reasons why White Leghorns didn't make my top 5 list. I had the Austra Whites in place of the Leghorns as the Australorp roo in them calms them down.

Yes, if you live somewhere that gets very cold in winter, then you probably don't want Leghorns. You are also right that hybrids like Red Stars, Blacks Stars, etc. have a much calmer personality than Leghorns.

But the White Leghorn can't be beat for eggs in most climates.

 

[Michael OShay]

Yes, if you live somewhere that gets very cold in winter, then you probably don't want Leghorns. You are also right that hybrids like Red Stars, Blacks Stars, etc. have a much calmer personality than Leghorns.

But the White Leghorn can't be beat for eggs in most climates.

Very true.

 

[seminolewind]

Jerseys- never any complaints, docile, personable, good layers
BO's - same thing
Polish- I have some adorable hens and roos. I have 5 hens that are 6 years old and still lay very well.
Houdans-bigger and more easy going than Polish. I am surprised how sweet and friendly they've turned out to be.
Speckled Sussex- friendly, nosy, good layers

So that's my popular list!

 

[Bullitt]

Jerseys- never any complaints, docile, personable, good layers
BO's - same thing
Polish- I have some adorable hens and roos. I have 5 hens that are 6 years old and still lay very well.
Houdans-bigger and more easy going than Polish. I am surprised how sweet and friendly they've turned out to be.
Speckled Sussex- friendly, nosy, good layers

So that's my popular list!

I notice that friendly seems to be what you are looking for in a chicken.

Each person's list is different because people seek out different traits, whether it is eggs, meat, colorful feathers, a friendly pet, or something else.

 

[seminolewind]

Well the title is (my) Top backyard chicken breeds. Most members have pets with benefits (re BYC poll). I agree, Each person is different in what is popular with them and why. Personality is a big plus with me

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
Just curious, why would a red sex link or Isa Brown (for exampe) not be a breed? Doesn't each come out looking the same?
How is that different than pure breds that occasionally have to breed to other breeds to maintain or improve their breed? And what about all the newer breeds that now contain the color blue, such as Blue Jerseys , or Blue Orpingtons?

It would be interesting to see what criteria each group should meet.
To me a breed is something that can be repeated and repeat the same characteristics .
Are the breed rules different from say, hybrid tea roses or even boxers? I know in the past 15 years or less, Jack Russel Terriers were not AKC until a strain of them could produce the same characteristics, and they became Parson Terriers , and they were akc accepted.

I know this is maybe wandering off the "popular breed" subject in a way, and if the thread starter would like to have this post removed, I will delete it no problem - I don't want to make anyone angry.

 

[Michael OShay]

Just curious, why would a red sex link or Isa Brown (for exampe) not be a breed? Doesn't each come out looking the same?
How is that different than pure breds that occasionally have to breed to other breeds to maintain or improve their breed? And what about all the newer breeds that now contain the color blue, such as Blue Jerseys , or Blue Orpingtons?

It would be interesting to see what criteria each group should meet.
To me a breed is something that can be repeated and repeat the same characteristics .
Are the breed rules different from say, hybrid tea roses or even boxers? I know in the past 15 years or less, Jack Russel Terriers were not AKC until a strain of them could produce the same characteristics, and they became Parson Terriers , and they were akc accepted.

I know this is maybe wandering off the "popular breed" subject in a way, and if the thread starter would like to have this post removed, I will delete it no problem - I don't want to make anyone angry.

Actually Red Sex Links don't come out the same. Different red gene roosters and silver gene hens are used to breed RSLs, and there are variations in the amount of white feathering they have and leg color (although it's usually pretty close), and more importantly, hybrids, including sex links, don't breed true. If you breed two Red Sex Links together, you never know what combination of genes you will get. They may not turn out looking anything like either either RSL parent, and they typically do not lay as well as their RSL mother. The same thing is true of Black Sex Links.

A breed must be from a parent and grandparent stock whose genetic line has bred true to the same characteristics (feather color pattern, skin color, comb type and color, earlobe and wattle color, leg color, egg color, etc.) for multiple generations, and a male and female of a breed must be able to reproduce those same characteristics in their offspring through natural mating.

 

[seminolewind]

Thanks, Michael. I appreciate the explanation.

 

[Michael OShay]

Thanks, Michael. I appreciate the explanation.

You're welcome.