wanting to "specialize' in a certain bird? Questions!

[tadpole98]

I have been collecting a few coops over the years as just emergency coops/sick coops/ ect. and since I have 6 I decided I could get a few breeds of chickens that i could show and sell as purebred.
I have these coops:
-a red one that holds 12 bantams
-another red that holds 12 bantams
-the main coop (occupied by laying hens) holds 100
-yet another red coop that holds 15-18 bantams
-a coop for 100 cocks in summer (so cant put anything in that)
- and a white shed thing (would need to be renovated) that should hold around 20 when im done

to sum all that up I can have 3 bantam breeds and one standard breed.

why am I posting this? because i am so lost! I keep thinking i have decided which breed im getting, but then i spot a new breed and change my mind. Im not getting any chickens till march/april, so i have time to decide.

I am for sure getting silkies, I already kinda have that one started. here are some of the breeds I have considered-
- seramas
-polish
- pumpkin hulseys
- black copper marans as my big coop
- cochins
- frizzled serama
- silkied serama
- blue laced red wyandotte
- shamo

If you were me what breed would you get? are their any other breeds i should consider? thanks!

 

[wsmith]

I am partial to American Dominiques. Cold hardy, economical to feed and keep. The Roosters get bigger for great eating birds, but not huge, the Hens stay smaller and lay a medium - large egg, even throughout the winter with no artificial lighting or heat. Great personalities and friendly. Historically the first "breed" developed in what is now the US. Not one of the designer breeds, but a great all-round dual purpose bird. I don't think they can be beat for overall best chicken. But then again, I am partial to American Dominiques..

 

[LauraB]

We have Wyandottes... love them!!! We got all the colors this past spring for the kids to raise for 4-H and I have to say that my favorites were the Columbian and the Blue Laced Red. The Blue Laced Red is not a recognized color so if you are looking to show birds or sell them for show, I would do the other colors, and keep the Blue Laced Reds for yourself.

My daughter has a White Silkie Bantam and we just love her too, but I see that you are already planning on having those.

 

[Mrs. K]

so where would you get American dominiques?

 

[wsmith]

so where would you get American dominiques?

Lots of places, depending on what you are looking for. Dominiques are available through most of the larger hatcheries, if you want and are OK with hatchery birds. They will be nice birds and lay well, though if you want to show or are interested in SoP birds, then you would need to go to a breeder. The Dominique Club of America (DCA) is the best resource for locating a breeder near you. Here is their web address: http://www.dominiqueclub.org/