What Breed Should I get?

[Olivia_M]

My 4H leader is buying us all any type of chick to lease and show. What kind should I get? Cochin? Brahma? (goldorsilver) laced wyandotte? Anything else???

 

[Better Than Rubies]

Hey there! Sounds like you've got a great opportunity there.
Now, to answer your questions...
Are those the only breeds you're interested in showing, or the only ones available to? What breeds do you personally want, if you want something other than those ones? If you can answer those, we should be able to help a bit more. =)

 

[sylviethecochin]

What do you like? Do you like small chickens? Bantams are beautiful. Would you prefer large chickens? Do you think feathered legs are a little complex for now, or do you think they're the most beautiful things you've ever seen? Do you like color? Or do you prefer personality?

 

[Olivia_M]

What do you like? Do you like small chickens? Bantams are beautiful. Would you prefer large chickens? Do you think feathered legs are a little complex for now, or do you think they're the most beautiful things you've ever seen? Do you like color? Or do you prefer personality?

I like both bantams and large chickens. Bantams are definitely easier to hold in that weird position, I forget what it's called. I don't really care if they have feathered legs too much, but they're pretty. Color is neutral. And I really hope mine is not too flighty! But hopefully I can bond with it. Thanks

 

[Olivia_M]

Hey there! Sounds like you've got a great opportunity there.
Now, to answer your questions...
Are those the only breeds you're interested in showing, or the only ones available to? What breeds do you personally want, if you want something other than those ones? If you can answer those, we should be able to help a bit more. =)

Oh, I'll do anything (Except buff orpingtons and rhode island reds) Oh, any breed is fine (Mostly, again no Buff Orpington or RIRs) I just loveeee chickens! Oh, and, they should get along with a flock of around 70 chickens

 

[Peter.J]

Whatever you do, just try to get a variety; then you can educate yourself firsthand on different breeds for the future.

 

[Better Than Rubies]

Okay. I just reread your post and saw that you said your 4-H leader is buying you any type of chick you want.
You should perhaps try the White Sultan? There are bantam versions, but even the standard-sized are smaller birds (I think around 4 pounds). They're pure white with a V-shaped comb, fluffy head crest, feathered legs, wings tilted downwards a little. They're great pets and super, super sweet from what I've read...also really calm, so they're easier for judges to handle at shows. I also read they're good with other birds. If the other bird is a naturally aggressive breed (like RIR or possibly Wyandotte), then they might be more timid, though...but that shouldn't be a problem, since you don't even want a RIR.
They don't have a high-laying rate, though. But if you love chickens enough and want a nice pet out of it, too, then that should be fine with you, I'd imagine.
Oh, one more thing: It'll probably take more work to keep them clean. =)

 

[Olivia_M]

Whatever you do, just try to get a variety; then you can educate yourself firsthand on different breeds for the future.

I just love them all, especially Faverolles and Cochins.

 

[Q-tip the indoor chicken]

My personal favorite breed is silkie. They have a great temperament and are so fun to have around. But do your research on them, and be careful in the winter.

 

[sylviethecochin]

So polish are definitely out. And bantams are preferable?

My bantam cochins are really sweet, and I love them. They also have feathered legs, which is a plus. And they're also known as pekins. They look rather different from the standard variety.

Silkies tend to get picked on and I think fluff is messy, but some people like them.

I prefer hardfeather breeds like the guy in my profile--he's a silver duckwing Old English Game Bantam. Downside is, they're really common, so you'd have competition, and they need to be dubbed for show. Upside is that they're cocky and they show really well.

I never hear any complaints about d'uccles. They're cute little guys, often mille fleur in color. The picture below is from Cackle hatchery.

I saw Sebrights and I fell in love, but they're a little delicate.

And double-laced barneveldars come in standard and bantam and are just really cool. Silvers are kind of expensive, though.

What's the matter with RIRs?