What breed of bird should I get for show next year?

[elmo]

Try Dutch bantams.

We rescued a Dutch bantam rooster about a year ago who had been living feral at a park. While I was trying to find a good home for him, my daughter tamed him, and our elderly bantam hens fell in love with him, so we decided to keep him. Now he is our calmest and tamest bird, even compared with our hens who have been handled by us since they hatched.

He's about two years old and gorgeous, with iridescent sheen to his tail feathers. And he's a complete gentleman with the hens.

 

[JenniferKrull]

I do not show my chickens, but have a bantam black frizzled cochin that is the sweetest little thing ever. When I walk into our coop, she walks up to me, squats down, and lets me pick her up. I don't believe these birds breed true - if you get a chick, it may end up frizzled or not. Either way, others have said it's the sweetest chicken in their flock.

 

[MROO]

Try Dutch bantams.

We rescued a Dutch bantam rooster about a year ago who had been living feral at a park. While I was trying to find a good home for him, my daughter tamed him, and our elderly bantam hens fell in love with him, so we decided to keep him. Now he is our calmest and tamest bird, even compared with our hens who have been handled by us since they hatched.

He's about two years old and gorgeous, with iridescent sheen to his tail feathers. And he's a complete gentleman with the hens.

Oooh ... pictures please!!!!!

 

[Willowspirit]

Thanks buddy!
Things seem different and in some senses are. Almost like being thrown into a strange new world.

OT but I wanted to tell you best wishes. I had a small stroke several years ago. By small I mean really small. It was still weird getting over it. Take good care of yourself!

 

[Raeja]

The thing I ran into when my white polish (pictured) was alive, she was the more aggressive one (the other was Rhode Island). She seemed more nervous. I am looking to replace the Rhode that was stolen by the 2 legged kind. I think an Australorpe would be a good match. They are mild tempered, med/large sized, calm, etc. I m actually trying to find an Australorpe.

 

[Willowspirit]

They have them at Cackle hatchery also but 10 cost $80, whereas 15 only costs $78. (14 birds or less small order fee $20) and they are all straight run.
https://www.cacklehatchery.com/checkout/cart/
You could keep them for a month then sell them as sexed roosters for $10 each to help make up for the shipping and special fees.
Hope this helps some.
If this doesn't make sense I'm sorry, it's probably because I had a stroke last week and just got released from ICU this afternoon. Not only is one half of my body literally numb, my poor brain sorta feels numb too.

And this does make perfect sense. My stroke involved looking at words and not making any sense of them at all. Then I told my husband what was happening and I was just speaking gibberish. I kept trying to remember George Lopez the actor’s name for no reason I could fathom. As you know it was hella scary. When I was in the hospital I was convinced the MRI scanner was closed and I was in a completely dark tiny space but later I was told it was open. Huh? PM me if you want to chat.

 

[jenswinebar]

I love my Salmon Favorelles. I have never tried putting them in a smallish cage though. Kinda goofy, super sweet and put up with being handled quite well. One of them even does somersaults to escape our Ameraucana who can be a bit of a cranky lady.

 

[Bonnieg1]

My Cochins are friendly, gentle and beautiful! They are pretty docile, so I don't think they would mind being caged. They do go broody a lot and I literally have to remove them from their nesting boxes. I wish you luck and lots of fun!

 

[Raeja]

And this does make perfect sense. My stroke involved looking at words and not making any sense of them at all. Then I told my husband what was happening and I was just speaking gibberish. I kept trying to remember George Lopez the actor’s name for no reason I could fathom. As you know it was hella scary. When I was in the hospital I was convinced the MRI scanner was closed and I was in a completely dark tiny space but later I was told it was open. Huh? PM me if you want to chat.

Thanks for the info. I live in the city and am only allowed to have up to 6 hens but my space isn't big enough for that many. I may just end up buying a chick or two from the hardware store. I told Steve I would like an Australorpe. He may order than. I was hoping to find an older one about Pixie's age and size. Raising chicks the way I do takes a lot of time and is a lot of work, but looks like getting a couple of chicks is the way I will have to go

 

[MROO]

Thanks for the info. I live in the city and am only allowed to have up to 6 hens but my space isn't big enough for that many. I may just end up buying a chick or two from the hardware store. I told Steve I would like an Australorpe. He may order than. I was hoping to find an older one about Pixie's age and size. Raising chicks the way I do takes a lot of time and is a lot of work, but looks like getting a couple of chicks is the way I will have to go

Most of the hatcheries sell "started pullets" that they'll ship one or two at a time. It's expensive, but if raising chicks is a problem and you definitely want a female, that may be the way to go. Good Luck!