Vote on what breed I should get!

[black_cat]

I wasn't interested in any farm animals until a passing comment from a friend 'you guys should get chickens!' sent me spiraling into this crazy farm thing, and now here we are.

 

[Twizzler]

RSLs are great layers, and mine have good personalities. My cream legbars look neat, but seem to lack personality. That could just be the strain I have. Some strains go broody, some are flighty.

They both seem to handle my summer temps up into the low 100’s fairly well. Though all birds find those temps to be taxing, my lightly built leghorn handles it the best. My temps dip down into the negatives only a few times a year and with proper ventilation they should be able to handle the temps well. I will keep an eye on the leghorn’s comb tho.

That’s the only input I have because those are the only breeds I have experience with.

 

[black_cat]

RSLs are great layers, and mine have good personalities. My cream legbars look neat, but seem to lack personality. That could just be the strain I have. Some strains go broody, some are flighty.

They both seem to handle my summer temps up into the low 100’s fairly well. Though all birds find those temps to be taxing, my lightly built leghorn handles it the best. My temps dip down into the negatives only a few times a year and with proper ventilation they should be able to handle the temps well. I will keep an eye on the leghorn’s comb tho.

That’s the only input I have because those are the only breeds I have experience with.

Agreeing on the red sex links! I have 3 right now and they are super sweet. I also have a leghorn who is quite flighty, but I"m assuming that that's only part the breed and mostly because I didn't get them as chicks. I am enjoying the RSLs that I have right now but am worried that I would set myself up for heartbreak by getting any more. I definitely would like to keep having leghorns, though, they are very fun.

 

[Twizzler]

Agreeing on the red sex links! I have 3 right now and they are super sweet. I also have a leghorn who is quite flighty, but I"m assuming that that's only part the breed and mostly because I didn't get them as chicks. I am enjoying the RSLs that I have right now but am worried that I would set myself up for heartbreak by getting any more. I definitely would like to keep having leghorns, though, they are very fun.

Seeing as you’re in the northeast, I would imagine you don’t have to select for heat tolerance as rigorously as I do. I might select for smaller combs that don’t run the risk of frostbite as much. I know they’ll live but I imagine it has to be terribly uncomfortable if not downright painful to go through.

I do have to say tho I’m a sucker for the spangled pattern. They’re so pretty! Maybe now would be a good time to explore breeds unfamiliar to you, and see if you’ll find a new favorite. Olive Eggers might also have cream legbars in their background, so that’s another thing to keep in mind. Sorry if I’m all over the place I’m tired from work lol

 

[black_cat]

Seeing as you’re in the northeast, I would imagine you don’t have to select for heat tolerance as rigorously as I do. I might select for smaller combs that don’t run the risk of frostbite as much. I know they’ll live but I imagine it has to be terribly uncomfortable if not downright painful to go through.

I do have to say tho I’m a sucker for the spangled pattern. They’re so pretty! Maybe now would be a good time to explore breeds unfamiliar to you, and see if you’ll find a new favorite. Olive Eggers might also have cream legbars in their background, so that’s another thing to keep in mind. Sorry if I’m all over the place I’m tired from work lol

It used to get much colder here than it does. I only have experience with my friend's chickens and my own rentals, so most are unfamiliar to me. Here are the ones I have experience with:
-RSL (like but worried about life span)
-leghorn (really like, will get again)
-cochin (am in LOVE with and will definitely get)
-Easter egger (adorable, definitely getting)
-Black Australorp (ok, but will probably get)
-buff orpington (meh, don't really like)
-Barred rock (like a lot, very cute)
-Olive egger (meh, kinda cute)
-Partridge rock (meh)
-buckeye (meh)

 

[Twizzler]

It used to get much colder here than it does. I only have experience with my friend's chickens and my own rentals, so most are unfamiliar to me. Here are the ones I have experience with:
-RSL (like but worried about life span)
-leghorn (really like, will get again)
-cochin (am in LOVE with and will definitely get)
-Easter egger (adorable, definitely getting)
-Black Australorp (ok, but will probably get)
-buff orpington (meh, don't really like)
-Barred rock (like a lot, very cute)
-Olive egger (meh, kinda cute)
-Partridge rock (meh)
-buckeye (meh)

Yeah, it used to not get so hot here either I try not to think about it sometimes but I can’t really have duel purpose birds. My one girl suffers so much in the heat. Way before the others do. It’s not fair to her, or kind. I really want an Easter Egger. They look adorable. Leghorns are probably what I’ll specialize in once I can get my own set up. I think I’ll try some colored varieties and some production lines and maybe see about breeding the blue gene into them.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I wasn't interested in any farm animals until a passing comment from a friend 'you guys should get chickens!' sent me spiraling into this crazy farm thing, and now here we are.

that’s awesome though haha

 

[PioneerChicks]

Barred Plymouth Rocks are my all-time favorite breed! I am hoping to try out the bantam version next year! BRs are friendly, great with kids, excellent layers, good foragers and good in confinement, weather-hardy, and are beautiful.

Silkies are also a great breed but most likely you will get some broodies. But when they go broody they don't lay eggs. Very gentle breed, great with children, beautiful and cute, great mothers, and great layers (when not broody).

Easter Eggers are awesome! I love their surprise egg colors! Great layers, friendly, good with kids, adorable (especially with cheek-puffs!), and come in a large variety of colors!

Those are my top three recommendations! Best of luck and enjoy the chicks!

 

[MGG]

I think that I'm going to go with a CCL! Silver spangled hamburgs are very cute but I was less into the for two main reasons:
1) I would already have a white egg layer
2) I can't seem to find a good reference on their size
people say that they're small, but I can never find how small compared to standards or bantams.

I've never had CCLs, but I already love them. Those, Appenzeller Spitzes, BBS English Orps, BLRWs, OEGBs, and Deathlayers are my all time favorites.
I really love the Hamburgs though. They're closer to bantam size.
I think you would like them. Such a hard decision. There's so many breeds. Good luck!

 

[black_cat]

I've never had CCLs, but I already love them. Those, Appenzeller Spitzes, BBS English Orps, BLRWs, OEGBs, and Deathlayers are my all time favorites.
I really love the Hamburgs though. They're closer to bantam size.
I think you would like them. Such a hard decision. There's so many breeds. Good luck!

Those are all beautiful breeds! I am considering getting a silkie but I've been told I need at least two. Do you think having a larger bantam (silkie) and a smaller standard (hamburg) could work and they would become friends?