What are your five favorite breeds and why

[Abriana]

I don’t have five, because I only have a few breeds. I will say that I LOVE columbian rocks and Dutch bantams. My Dutch is a great little girl, loves to hatch, and is a GREAT mama. My columbian rocks are so cuddly and my roo is an amazing protector, he has fought off many hawks and bravely defended his ladies. Sadly, my most outgoing, snuggly, and loving hen (as much as chickens can love) passed away on this day about a month ago. I miss you dearly Sophia

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Love this thread! I've finally read through it, wonderful!
I have so many favorites, it's not possible to rank them.
Belgian d'Uccle bantams, my first birds in 1992, and still have an ongoing little group.
EE bantams, an unexpected delight that I'm working on, with slate legs and beautiful small aqua eggs.
White Chanteclers, my only white birds, good dual purpose.
SS hens, friendly and beautiful too.
Wyandottes, just about any color.
French Marans and big EEs.
Mary

I got myself a few bantam EE this last because I saw yours. Mine haven't started to lay yet, so I'm excited to see those eggs. They are as adorable as I had hoped they would be. Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don’t have five, because I only have a few breeds. I will say that I LOVE columbian rocks and Dutch bantams. My Dutch is a great little girl, loves to hatch, and is a GREAT mama. My columbian rocks are so cuddly and my roo is an amazing protector, he has fought off many hawks and bravely defended his ladies. Sadly, my most outgoing, snuggly, and loving hen (as much as chickens can love) passed away on this day about a month ago. I miss you dearly Sophia

Sorry about Sophia. Some chickens are just a bit more special than others.

 

[New2Chicks97]

I love your Brahma-Silkie relationship!!

It really is funny to see her sleeping with them on the ground rather than roosting. .

I originally planned on moving her to the big chick flock and having just the Silkies and Bantams in the smaller coop. But she is so bonded to her Silkie friends I figured that it is best she stays where she is. She is calm and sweet so I don’t have a problem leaving her with the smaller chickens though.

 

[Clubber1234]

Aww, sorry about your leghorn. Nice group of chickens though.

Thanks

 

[cream puff]

1. Naked Necks - they are funny looking
2. Australorps - docile, friendly, good layers
3. Salmon Faverole - best rooster I ever had
4. New Hampshires - too heavy for a hawk to carry away - nice birds
5. Silkies - delicious (just kidding)

they're all good layers - except the Silkies

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

1. Naked Necks - they are funny looking
2. Australorps - docile, friendly, good layers
3. Salmon Faverole - best rooster I ever had
4. New Hampshires - too heavy for a hawk to carry away - nice birds
5. Silkies - delicious (just kidding)

they're all good layers - except the Silkies

I have had salmon faverolle hens, but not a rooster yet. Good to know they are nice.

 

[Folly's place]

I've had Favorelles, lovely birds, and the roosters were very nice. They were bottom of the pack in my mixed flock though, and that' was without having any production reds!
Mary

 

[Compost King]

1. Leghorn, probably the perfect chicken unless you want something broody. Although people are less likely to buy white eggs. If I need to sell eggs I would go with Rhode Island Reds for #1 because my #1 spot must go to the most productive egg layer. Leghorns eat much less and come out on top. Leghorns are also a beautiful breed and if they did not lay well some might consider their long rooster tails as ornamental.

2. Mixed breeds, I like the vigor of those who do not even have a breed. It might depend on what 2 breeds were used but in general I like the mutts. I particularly like mixed breeds that are half bantam half large foul. I tend to get a great all around chicken at the 3/4 size.

3. Seramas, although I do not like to breed them due to complications I like how they eat little and can live in a cage. Old English Game Bantams also can do that and are easier to breed. I won't list them both but my mood could interchange them for my #3

4. Dorkings, I haven't had them long but I have long coveted this breed and if they live up to expectations they will be a favorite. If they are broody like clockwork then they may move to #2 and a great supplement to a Leghorn flock

5. Wellsumers, so I have a dark egg breed that isn't aggressive. #5 is the one that can change on a whim though. Maybe tomorrow I will be in a Frizzle Bantam Cochin mood

Other breeds I like and could be on this list on a different day Delaware, Silver Laced Wyandotte (although any breed with that pattern I love, probably my favorite overall pattern for beauty), Cornish Cross (Hey I like breast meat), Red Rangers (I kept 2 females for cross breeding and I like how you can give them unlimited feed but they will still go out and scratch for food), Easter Eggers (I like crossing them to make new egg colors) Ayam Cemani (I only list these because they are new to the US but i have to admit they are way over rated)

My Favorite Patterns are 1. Silver Laced (best looking) 2 Barred 3 Red 4 Columbian 5 Silver Duckwing 2 through 4 because I like making sex link chicks and #5 because breeds that do not come a Columbia Pattern can be bred to have a columbia pattern using the Silver Duckwing pattern with specific other solid colors. I haven't accomplished this yet and I am finding that what I hatch out in real life doesn't always fit what I read in a book.

I know that no one asked for favorite patterns but I added that because it has a factor in favorite breeds.

 

[Alexandra33]

(1.) Marans. My favorite large fowl breed for many reasons. First, and oftentimes only, thing that comes to mind when people think of Marans is those trademark dark eggs. However, this is far from their only defining feature! Who can forget the huge array of color options available around the world? And what about that personality the size of the Empire State Building? Let's just say I can't escape my Marans, no matter how hard I try.
(2.) Speckled Sussex. Beautiful, stunning, flashy, affectionate, clingy, intelligent, gorgeous, quirky, and did I mention BEAUTIFUL? There's honestly nothing bad to say about this breed. Other than the fact that I received a swollen lip from my Mairead, who attempted to kiss me back.
(3.) Barred Rock. Truly one one of the most manipulative, demanding breeds out there. If I don't feed the flock in time, according to Baby, she feels the need to outright flog my leg as due punishment. If I don't place fully capable Petra on the roost every night, she will scream disruptively and give chase until she gets what she wants. What can I say, I'm a slave.
(4.) d'Uccle. All-time favorite bantam breed for hens, hands down. Heed my warning....if you want to get anything done, don't add d'Uccles to the flock. They will consume every bit of your time if you let them. Most ironic part is, though I don't need/want any more for my sake, somehow the number keeps growing! Someone help....they're like a weed. A lovable weed.
(5.) Old English Game bantams. Best roosters out there! The hens range unreliably from either overly affectionate, to untouchable, but most males are wonderful even as cockerels. Little Kisses joins us in the house often for treats and....kisses. He's my baby.

~Alex