what breed should I buy

[JennsPeeps]

BSLs are iridescent green in the sun what is that code for?

It means that the black feathers of a black sex-linked chicken turn green in the sunlight. Very pretty!​

 

[SewingDiva]

Quote:
Chicken Women is absolutely right, you really need to read and understand your local regulations.

It's well established by courts that government officials are not held responsible if they erroneously convey the meaning of local ordnance and a citizen relies on that information to their detriment.

That old cliche "Ignorance of the law is no excuse" really means something!

Phyllis

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Here are a couple of great web sites, for checking out chicken breeds. Henderson's chart gives a lot of information on the various breeds, in an easy to compare format. Feathersite has pages for the individual breeds, with lots of pictures.

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html

 

[Foxhound lady]

We have 5 pullets right now of 4 different breeds (australops, golden comet, barred rock, EE). They jsut started laying and they are the sweetest birds.

The austroplops have the beatle green sheen to their feathers and are bigger birds that look lovely in the sunshine. The barred rock talks the most and the GC loves to be handled.

We also have silkies, a OEGB and another EE that are growing up right now

We looked at a lot of chicken breeds to find the ones that arent flightly, would tolerate confinement, egg laying ablities and heat/cold

 

[digitS']

Quote:
I'm curious to ask Foxhound lady, since I have both australorps and barred rocks right now (& have had both by themselves, before).

Are your australorps larger than the barred rocks, or is it the other way around?

And, which of these 2 have darker colored eggs?

I thought I knew the answers to these ? years ago. Then I was surprised by having birds of both breeds at the same time.

Steve

 

[tn chick]

Quote:
this is true i just seen some one in ms that had girls for over 5 years and was told she had to get rid of them and gave her 10 days, its sad that someone lives in a city and they change the laws and then,most cities grandfather the laws but each state is different.
also i would stay at a low number and avoid the roo neighbors complaining bring attention to you like said above city hall is the one who you will want to follow and get a copy of that # amount and keep for latter if ever needed.
best of luck

 

[mhaines4102]

We had a black sexlink and it was awsome. Everybody loved her. She was gentle and they are excellent layers. I raise leghorns, and I wouldn't recommend them unless you just want layers and comedy. They are a lot of trouble. I do like white rocks, I have them as well.

 

[Foxhound lady]

We cant tell the difference betweent the Australops and BR eggs. The BR is a hair smaller then the Australops but she is also about 3-4 weeks younger

The BR is a roit though she comes when called and demands grapes (the girl loves her grapes)

 

[digitS']

Thank you, Foxhound lady (and I hope Autumn doesn't mind the hijacking

).

I have 1 Barred Rock with a lighter egg than the Australorps. Both BR's are larger than the Aussies. And, both of these facts are contrary to what I understood to be the case with my previous flocks of both breeds

.

Perhaps the lesson here is that individual birds differ from one hatchery to another - maybe not in real important ways. One thing I really appreciate with my current Aussies is that the eggs are harder shelled. That wasn't true in years past - even with adequate calcium in their diets. Despite this, they have long been my favorite breed.

I guess it doesn't hurt to be surprised about some things as long as there's improvement in what is important

.

Steve

 

[Montana-Hens]

If you can't find a source locally. I had a great experience with Idea when only getting 8 girls...4 for me 4 for a friend. I got one of 8 breeds all hens and none turned out to be roos.

My Barred Plymouth Rock (brown) and Buff Brahama (china porcelain doll face colored) have laid all winter and were the most friendly of the 4 I wanted.

My friend had Gold Lace Wyandotte, Buff Orphington and I can't remember the rest. But she said they are super.

Good luck with your endeavor.