What are the 3 best homesteading chicken breeds?

[kathyinmo]

Just a matter of opinion, I believe. My broodies quit laying while broody (of course) and also don't lay while they are raising the chicks .... some for quite a few weeks. I do not consider them "excellent" layers. Good layers, at best. Just my opinion.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I say Austrolorp for constant egg laying, Orphington for broodiness, & Cornish for meaties.

 

[lotzahenz]

I think the Dark Cornish make the best all-around birds that can forage for themselves and grow quite fast for meat. They are great egg layers, with large brown eggs. They are somewhat broody, not very pretty to look at though. They have dense, compact feathers on a muscular body. Mine came from Murray McMurry. Next, not as good at laying but pretty and grow very large and fast are the Cuckoo Marans, also easy to sex early on; as well as the Wheaten Marans, Great birds and my personal favorite for growing out, they have the BEST eggs, great looks, fast growth and are very broody, easy to tell apart very early on as well. They are just so pretty to look at too. Can't go wrong with Marans, but Cornish are cheaper and a great free-range bird.

 

[PepsNick]

It really depends on who you are and your taste, but or me it has been

Barred Rocks
Sexlinks
Orpingtons


And I have to add australorp and ameraucana or EE as a 4th . All have been great for me.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Here's a link to a recent survey:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sust...hicken-Breeds-For-Backyard-Flocks.aspx?page=2

I found it very interesting and helpful.

I'm really partial to Barred Rocks.

They're just a real good all-round bird.

The best breed for broodiness (that still lays well) is the Buff Orpington. But realize that during broody season, you won't be getting very many Orpington eggs.

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
Punky,
If I don't pull eggs my Reds will start setting weather it is 1 or 20 eggs..

Chris

sorry I only have hatchery RIR and they don't stop laying!

 

[speckledhen]

Barred Rocks, Delawares and RIRs. Delawares are the busiest birds I have and Rocks are right along with them. None of my Rocks or Dels have been broody and if one did go broody, it would likely be once a year or every other year, never serial broodies. My only remaining RIR hen is a master forager. Everyone comes home but Reba and we have to go chase her down, always locating her in the woods, happily digging away. She is a 5 yr old hatchery RIR, but I've had the huge, dark breeder type RIR hens, too, and they were very active foragers as well.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

The best broody we have are the Cochins, most meat and best foragers Dark Cornish, best tasting Marans.

Steve

 

[BarredBuff]

Thanks everyone!!!!

 

[lotzahenz]

Check out the post on here for Heritage RIR's, wow what a beautiful breed, reminds me of my Mamma's birds. That is exactly what they are bred for, Homesteading. I change my vote to Authentic Rhode Island Reds. So American.