What Breed to pick?

[3KillerBs]

Yes, my flock got wiped out in a single moment of lapsed judgment. Good thing the dog is cute....
I think California Whites were what I had also looked at, but they were either straight runs or had stuff on their butts, so I opted for the ISA chicks. And of course there were a bunch in the back room I had not known about nor considered, so I made my choice simple.
Seems a lot of people have the Wyandottes around here.

Heck, who knows, I might enter my hatchery rejects into the county fair, just because we have one still

I'm sorry for your loss.

If you are mentally capable of doing it, I like to get twice as many chicks as I actually want, pick the ones I like best, then sell the others are started or Point-of-Lay pullets.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Every breed is different, not only that, every individual chicken is aswell. Im not sure what your looking for in one, but i will give you information based of the breeds I have owned.

My bantam cochin is very sweet, calm, nice with young children, and is a very very consistent layer, like 6-7 eggs a week.

The silkies i have owned are sweet to, but tend to get bullied more, aren’t as cold tolerant, and have lots of genetic issues and are prone to more things.


My serama is nice, 6 inches tall, calm, loves snuggles and people, sleeps on your shoulder or in your shirt, but is not loved by my bigger chickens. At minimum lays eggs every other day, about 1 OZ or smaller, but she is not consistent.

 

[Alagirl]

I'm sorry for your loss.

If you are mentally capable of doing it, I like to get twice as many chicks as I actually want, pick the ones I like best, then sell the others are started or Point-of-Lay pullets.

I think I could take them to trade day, but in reality, my husband is the worst when it comes to his animals. I was pleasantly surprised he allowed me to give one of our oopsie pups to a coworker. While he likes to eat chicken, he would be upset if his birds ended up in a pot.
At least eggs are not like overgrown zucchini....I don't think the neighbors would slam the door in my face if I showed up with surplus!

 

[Franklinridgefarms]

I think I could take them to trade day, but in reality, my husband is the worst when it comes to his animals. I was pleasantly surprised he allowed me to give one of our oopsie pups to a coworker. While he likes to eat chicken, he would be upset if his birds ended up in a pot.
At least eggs are not like overgrown zucchini....I don't think the neighbors would slam the door in my face if I showed up with surplus!

Not chicken related, but a lot of folks don’t realize that the big zucchini’s are still usable , for breads, and other dishes.

 

[3KillerBs]

It's good to know yourself. People end up with overcrowded coops when they discover that they can't bring themselves to sell the extras after all.

 

[3KillerBs]

Not chicken related, but a lot of folks don’t realize that the big zucchini’s are still usable , for breads, and other dishes.

I have a great recipe for using those -- grated, salted to take the water out, then sautéed in olive oil with garlic.

 

[Alagirl]

Not chicken related, but a lot of folks don’t realize that the big zucchini’s are still usable , for breads, and other dishes.

true, but if you get a sack full hoised in your arms every week, the appeal wanes quickly!

Which reminds me, I want a stuffed one like that like mom made it, with meat sauce and cheese, backed!

 

[Alagirl]

It's good to know yourself. People end up with overcrowded coops when they discover that they can't bring themselves to sell the extras after all.

In my head I am partitioning the yard up: Backyard flock, left (narrow) sideyard flock, right side and front yard flock.....
How many bords do you think I can keep this way?
I might have to see if I can lease the vacant lot down the street to plant some food....

 

[Alagirl]

all kidding aside though, I appreciate the input regarding behavior. I guess the characteristics go somewhat out of the window when the birds are not raised to fit the standard (as with all creatures) but it does give me a starting point, kind of like not getting a Malinois if you spend most of your day on the couch....that won't end well.

 

[3KillerBs]

all kidding aside though, I appreciate the input regarding behavior. I guess the characteristics go somewhat out of the window when the birds are not raised to fit the standard (as with all creatures) but it does give me a starting point, kind of like not getting a Malinois if you spend most of your day on the couch....that won't end well.

That's a good analogy.

If you've got limited space and are going to hold to the minimum recommendations you'll want to avoid birds with "good foragers" and "good for ranging" and such things in their descriptions and go more for "tolerates confinement".