What breed should I try next? What are your favorites?

[cbeth95]

I have an EE, Buff Orp, and a New Hampshire Red (all hens), but this spring I'd like to try a different breed.

What are some good breeds to get as chicks? And what are your favorites?


Thanks.

 

[cbeth95]

 

[Cowgirl71]

Depends a lot on what you're looking for in a breed... Colorful? High egg production? Broody? Rare or common? Big or little?

Me, my favorite breeds are Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, Black Australorps, and Easter Eggers/Ameraucanas.

 

[Judy]

My all time favorites were my Kraeinkoppes; Ideal has them. Be warned, though, they are very broody and great mothers, will even mother as a group. I'd take them over Silkies any day. They are a small LF kinda like a Leghorn in size and build so they are easy on feed, also excellent foragers, very friendly and tame. Next favorite is Speckled Sussex, beautiful, fair egg producer, friendly. BO's are quiet and placid but dumb. I have a broody BA who kills hatching chicks, but the hens are VERY quiet. BO's and BA's produce eggs in winter, but sure eat a lot.

As Cowgirl said, it depends on what you want from them. Are you familiar with Henderson's breed chart?

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

 

[cbeth95]

Hmmm. Thanks.

I'd like friendly chickens, but also good layers & mothers.

Would silkies be a good option?

 

[cbeth95]

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Are those rare breeds at all?

 

[gritsar]

No matter how many chickens I get, my brahmas will always be my favorites. Big, calm, gentle giants. Bonus! Very well suited for your winters.

 

[BlueBirdChick]

i like EEs even though I dont have any right now, Nacked Necks (turkens) buff orps, Dominiques , blue cochins, my australorps, my dark cornishes. my patridge rock.

 

[henry19952]

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Seeing that you live in New England, probably not. They like warmer weather. I second the Brahmas, good personality and handles your climate well.

 

[Sportsterjeep]

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Silkies are very friendly, they are good mothers, and they go broody very frequently. If you want to hatch anything out and not use a bator, chances are you can get a silkie to do it by say SIT!