Trying to decide which breeds to raise

[backporchguy]

It has been about 40 years since I raised chickens (I was in a 4H program as a kid), so I need advice on two things:

• which breeds get along well with each other
• pros and cons of raising chicks verses purchasing older pullets

We plan to start with three chickens. For a variety of reasons, we would like to have three different breeds. Currently, we are considering a White Sultan, a Rhode Island Red, and a Delaware. Will these three breeds get along with each other?

Any advice on getting baby chicks verses older pullets will be greatly appreciated.

We live in upstate South Carolina in the foothills of the mountains. Moderate winters and hot summers.

Thanks!

 

[Den in Penn]

Welcome to BYC.
Chickens of different breeds do get along, especially if raised together.
Pros of older pullets. You know for sure that they are pullets. They will lay eggs sooner. You don't have to set up a brooder.
Cons of older pullets. They may not be as friendly. You miss watching them grow. They cost more up front. Sometimes it harder to find the breed you want.

 

[Ste]

We have 13 and they are a large mixture of breeds. They all get along with each other just fine. I think the age you buy them depends on how long you want to wait for eggs and if they are raised together or not.

 

[Tuhmu]

Top haters like the sultan are usually on the low end of the totem pole, due to not being able to recognize aggression with their lack of sight. Sultans have it better than polish, their hat usually isn't quite so big. I have one right now, and I'm not entirely impressed.
I agree with the previous posters, it's much more worthwhile raising them yourself.

 

[AussieHens96]

We found that buying them young (around 8 weeks) appeared to be ideal and we mixed them with some Wyandottes & silkies. Considering to mix australorps/rhode island reds. I'm pretty sure it works best with youngish ones. The pros being of an 8 week old is they are big enough to be without heat and young enough to watch them grow and interact with them. Cons are that they won't be as tame as younger birds immediately but some breeds will become more affectionate.

Better layers are australorps or Isa browns. Lovely chooks. Silkies are also good if you ever want to rear some babies later on.

 

[backporchguy]

Thanks for all of the responses. It seems like the general consensus is to get chicks and raise them. We are not in a rush for eggs, so having the experience of watching the chickens grow would be fun.

It also seems like raising chicks is best if I have different breeds.

Again, thanks for the great advice.

 

[1muttsfan]

Google the Henderson chicken chart, it is a great breeds resource.

Petsonally, I just enjoy raising chicks.

 

[centrarchid]

Consider getting a trio of games. They can be come in different colors. The hens will do bulk of rearing allowing you to slide in slowly to poultry keeping. They also tolerate free-range keeping very well. I keep some on front porch purely for purpose of watching them; they roost and nest there and could get by without me feeding them.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Are you after layer? Dual? meat? or as pets/ Ornamental?

All breeds usually get along, I have over 8 different breeds together and they are all fine.

For laying would recommend - White Leghorn or Ancona.
Dual - RIR, Austrlorp. ( these are great layers as well )
Meat - Well you meat birds, cornish etc.
Pet - Frizzles, silkies many variety's they are good mothers, very friendly and will give you some nice little eggs.

Delawares are nice as well if you are after them. They are Dual I think but most breeds can be great pets. Wyandottes are another lovely bird and if you go for Araucana's or EE's you get blue, green eggs.

Pros of older pullets - You get eggs, no brooder etc, easier to look after, less prone to death, can look after themselves more than chicks.
Cons - cost more money for feed but you get eggs, might be more scared than you.

Pros of chicks - Great to watch them grow, they become very friendly, can get almost any breed you want.
Cons - Hard to look after, have to keep and eye on them a lot of the time, more prone to death, frustrating.lol.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

...

We found that buying them young (around 8 weeks) appeared to be ideal The pros being of an 8 week old is they are big enough to be without heat and young enough to watch them grow and interact with them. Cons are that they won't be as tame as younger birds immediately but some breeds will become more affectionate.


I think this is your best bet, it's right in the middle of the two options.lol.