What breed for next year?

[Corey NC]

Ok I am going to build a breeding pen and I want to put 5 hens and a roo in it (or 10 hens and 1 roo if I decide on small batam breed). I want to work on a breed that is rare but popular enough that people will still want eggs and/or chicks.

These are the breeds I have narrowed it down to:

- Barnenvelders
- Bantam Faverolles
- Dorkings
- Japanese
- Batam Lakenvelders
- Seramas

I'd love here people's expereinces with these breeds, personality, fertility ect. and you opinions on which breed needs the most attention.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Out of those all I have are the Japanese. Japanese are crazy! My girls are completely loco, and very flighty, my rooster on the other hand is very sweet and talkative. They are pretty good layers though and tough little things. They hold their own that's for sure. They fly more then any other bird I've had, and are very independent.
The roosters don't do well in winter. Their combs and wattles are large and prone to frostbite.

My roo will try and breed anything. It's sort of funny to watch him try and get atop an Australorp. So far this year I've got four little Japanese hatch that my Phoenix is brooding. They do go broody pretty often, but I haven't let them hatch anything.

Don't expect to get SQ Japs from a hatchery, though. They almost always have medium to long legs, where they should have short little stumps.

Hopefully someone can help you on the other breeds. I've had Standard Lakenvelders and really enjoyed them but decided to focus on other breeds.