Wanting a LG breed. WHICH SHOULD I GET?

[Bantimna]

Cochins!

 

[Laney]

I would recommend that you check out the American Livestock Breed Conservancy List also. That way you can see what LG breeds might be endangered, on the watch list etc.

I'm working with Delawares and Mottled Java's right now. I have to tell you the Delawares are starting to get big and are challenging my Phoenix roos. My Standard Cochin's don't care who is standing next to them. They would be great with banties. My Mottled Java hen was awesome with them. All of them were raised together from chick size except the Delawares.

Laney

 

[poultryhaven]

My Giants got along with my 2 Bantam Frizzle cochins nd actually the bantams were in control

 

[Crunchie]

There are probably plenty of breeds to avoid, but you're never going to know for sure 'till you try it. There are always exceptions.

And I've found that the same breed can have widely varying temperament, depending on the line that it is from (and in some cases, individual birds will surprise you). That said, I wouldn't recommend Marans. I have 'em, and I love 'em (when it comes to humans, they are calm and easily handled and most all of my roos are sweet), but they are beastly...they are not very feed efficient, and they can be ruthless and mean to other birds.

I have a bantam cochin hen and a BLRW roo that are inseperable. But they were hatched and raised together, and that can make all the difference.

My Wyandottes are all calm and friendly birds. I have successfully kept LF Ameraucanas together with bantams--I raise bantam Polish, and I've often raised the two breeds together without problem. My Ameraucanas, even the roosters, are almost always very easy birds. But I've had birds from other breeders that were wildly insane and flighty. So, like I said, there can be exceptions.

What do you want a large breed for? Eggs? Just pets/to have pretty birds? You can probably narrow down your choices (or help us folks give you more opinions) quite a bit if you think about exactly what qualities you want in a large breed (besides temperament, of course).

 

[High Roost Ranch]

I have a pair of Black Australorps and they are the sweetest pair. The roo is totally not aggressive, the hen is very friendly and gets along with everyone. I was holding Blackjack, the roo, last night cuddling him and he just laid his head on my shoulder. What more can you ask for in a large fowl cock bird? They'd be my choice. Besides, the green sheen on those glossy black feathers and bright red combs is stunning.

I also have to go with LF Brahmas. But there's a catch. The first ones I had several years ago were hatchery stock, and both the males were mean as they could be. I swore off Brahmas after that. Then two years ago, I was convinced to try them again. I went with a show quality trio, and the male is a huge puppy dog. There isn't a mean bone in his body. The hens are sweet, sweet, sweet. That's my other choice. I now have 3 varieties of bantams and dark LF.

 

[lildinkem]

Cochins are nice. Mine are oblivious to all other birds. I guess them being near 7 foot tall and 300 lbs helps.

They have no natural enemies here at my house. Just 9 dogs to keep safe. Definitely Cochins. Maybe Orps?

 

[cybercat]

Best thing to do is make a list of likes and dislikes. Things like comb, skin color these will narrow down alot of breeds. You can also choose feather footed or not. Then color or patternes you like the most. If you want more than one color there are a few breeds that have more than one. Also what size you you want in the large breeds. That can range from light large to real heavy large. Some breeds are real noisy too like RIR while others are more quite like the Partridge Rocks. So make a list to narrow choices.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Langshan:

Gets along with EVERYTHING.

 

[Joyryder]

Check out http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx
They have a breed selection tool. Takes into account, winter hardiness, docility, egg laying rate, broodiness. It's a good place to start.
My favorite personalities are my orpingtons, next my black australorps. But I love getting pink, blue and green eggs. I want terra cotta and dark brown eggs, they're next.
If your not going to breed, you can get a mix of hens.

 

[cubalaya]

bb red cubalayas