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

[Cowgirl71]

Quote:
McMurray's Buff Orpingtons sound like the perfect bird for you. Broody and excellent mommas in the summer, excellent layers of big brown eggs the rest of the year, and very docile!

 

[PepsNick]

BR, any BBS ameraucanas, Sexlinks, Sebrights, EEs, Marans, D'uccle, Speckled Sussex.

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
McMurray's Buff Orpingtons sound like the perfect bird for you. Broody and excellent mommas in the summer, excellent layers of big brown eggs the rest of the year, and very docile!

Corrections! Plymouth rock isn't average temperament, they're SWEET AND SUPER FRIENDLY. So are silkies.

 

[buckabucka]

I ordered just a few of 10 different breeds, since these are my first chickens and I didn't know what to choose. Mostly, I tried to get a variety of egg colors.

I must say, despite the lack of a "showy" egg, that I agree with gritsar about the Brahmas.

I have only one light brahma, and she has provided so much entertainment that I would keep her even if she never laid eggs.

 

[BarredBuff]

I personally like Australorps, BO/RIRs, and Dominiques. All are very hardy breeds/crosses

 

[cbeth95]

Thanks everyone, this has really helped!

 

[dwegg]

Giant Cochins are my favorite..gentle, great looking...I have three and just hatched 9 more.

 

[fluffychickens]

My personal favorites are D'anvers and D'uccles but they are bantams and average layers I think. Cochins are from what I heard are good broodys and mothers and I know they are sweet, beautiful and pretty quiet(or at least the hens are).Average layers though... Do you need only quiet breeds?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

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Their feathers don't really hold the heat in well- they need some warmth compared to say a Buff Orpington.

I give my silkies light bulbs in the coop to just take the chill off (100 watt). I have it secured two ways. They REALLY like the extra warmth. I love making them comfortable. In fact I do that with all my breeds when it gets down to freezing at night.

If you provide them with heat ALL the time, if your power goes out, be prepared to bring them in to the garage or something so they don't die.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=92702
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=99105

Don't let anyone bully your silkies since they have a soft spot in their heads like a baby. They can become neurologically damaged or killed by pecks to the head.

Oh I forgot to tell you my favorite breeds: EEs, silkies, welsummers, d'uccles, cochins, and Golden Campines (which I had to sell since they flew over my fence all the time). All the ones I mentioned are super sweet- and my silkies tend to be near the top of the pecking order!

Oh, and also, I wanted to add that my Golden Sex Links are really bully-ish toward other breeds. Just a warning! I found two of my EEs cowering in the corner of the coop last night (all these girls are around 6-7 months old).

Another thing- some folks don't give their silkies any heat at all- just remember that not all coops are created equal. I have chickens in rabbit hutches with pieces of plywood up for a wind break- open bottom! Another coop of mine is an uninsulated metal shed. Other people have insulated sheds that effectively could be a small house! And they don't heat. My chickens would freeze to death in some winter weather because of they type of coops I have. Use your judgement.

 

[Farmergreen]

With my Silkies it's Yes Please. A good looking Silkie setting looks cool. Even cooler is Her mothering

Oh If you leave golf balls in the nests for snakes She will set them too LOL