urghh what should i get?

[Animalian]

From what I have experienced, Plymouth rock and RIR.

My RIR is 2 1/2 and has been broody once before, I think it depends on the individual (not just how they're bred)
My PR is 1 and has hatched out a batch of chicks and is a great mum. She's a good mum, attacks the dogs, pecks other hens if they get too close, but still lets me mess with the chicks.

Both hen's lay almost every day when not broody.

 

[Johnn]

i know i dont like it either loads of people have sed i will have any you dont want but he dosent seem to take notice

 

[Johnn]

i dont think i want a cochin any more because they have feathery feet so they will get leg mites

 

[Peachesbabychick]

I have had a bad experience with BR, my girl Pickles, turned out to be REALLY mean! RIR are cute though, just..... kinda common. But if you like them, go for it! I just like rare chickens.

 

[Judy]

Larger birds with smaller combs generally do best in colder climates, though I don't think the UK gets nearly as cold as Alaska, and people in Alaska certainly keep chickens. It sounds like you free range them so you need to expect losses to predators, and most all of us have losses to illness one time or another. Game birds often do pretty well free ranging.

Really, in your position, I would be inclined to stay with the culls from my friend's grandfather. They are accustomed to your climate and he probably knows what chickens do well where you live.

Henderson's breed chart has a lot of information on different characteristics of breeds:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

There is also a breed section here on BYC with a lot of information. Also, here is a link to our Alaska thread here, if you are interested in which breeds they keep:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=84141&p=1

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Just so you know, any chicken can get mites or lice -- often foiund around the vent or under wings. Wild birds carry them so they are almost unavoidable. Whether this is more likely with feather footed breeds I have no idea. But I do know clean legged birds can also get leg mites.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Quote:
Just so you know, any chicken can get mites or lice -- often foiund around the vent or under wings. Wild birds carry them so they are almost unavoidable. Whether this is more likely with feather footed breeds I have no idea. But I do know clean legged birds can also get leg mites.

Agreed. The feathering on feather footed breeds might make it harder to notice that the birds have leg mites, and the feathers may make it a little more difficult to treat the mites. But birds with feathery feet are not any more likely than clean legged birds to get leg mites.

 

[Zonoma]

Of your list, I would choose Dominiques: They have incredible personalities, are very cold hardy and forage savvy, and mine have broody tendencies and -though I haven't let them hatch a clutch- are reported to be good mothers. They only issue I have with them is that they don't lay as well as my other hens but I just figure it's because they are a heritage/dual purpose breed.

 

[Johnn]

well i would like a good layer when not broody

 

[Magic Birdie]

Quote:
people say they are a very weak bird and often get foot infections if they have mud under there feet, although we have a massive feild with lots of grass they have to walk through a mucky pen to get to there sheds

Humph.