What breeds do you feel are absolute necessities?

[safarichick101]

Okay, so I'm fixing to make a new order(s) of chickens (and turkeys!).

I only have 3 acres to work with and neighbors and the park is behind our hous with neighbors in all other directions. I wanted to breed bourbon red turkeys but I wanted to order some more chickens without having to worry about getting a ton of roosters. I do plan to show in the future but that order will probably be seperate.

What do you think of ideal and my pet chicken? What about Porter's rare heritage turkeys?

I already have a faverolle and a orpington as well as 2 barred rocks, a silver laced wyandotte, 2 "ameraucanas", and some silkie mixes.

We plan to get more silkies since ours were lost to predators and we love them.

But what others should we get?

 

[Katy]

If you plan on showing in the future you'd be better off to find some breeders with the breeds you want. The odds of getting a show quality chicken from a hatchery are not very good.

As far as what kind you should get that all depends on what look you're partial to. I happen to like big fluffy chickens so that's what I've got.

 

[safarichick101]

Well we live in humid east texas. And i'm very partial to big fluffy chickens.

 

[domino7]

I love my cochins. You can get some very nice ones from several BYC members. They're pretty fluffy, and easy going too.

 

[GraceAK]

I'd say easter eggers are important, if only for the interesting colored eggs and feathers. People usually get them by mistake but I think they're more important than theyre given credit for. Austrolorps too. 4 BAs can give you 2 dozen big eggs a week, and they dont go broody I dont think.

 

[walkswithdog]

It all depends on what you like. Big and fluffy describes good Orpingtons and Cochins, or the Large Fowl Brahmas. Year round and consistent layers have been Black Australorps, Plymouth Rocks in various colors, Delawares. I have silkies, sizzles and seramas for bantams and love them. Oh and a few bantam cochins - nifty. If I had to pick two sets, It would be the Delawares and the Sizzles. It's all a matter of preference. I also love blue black and splash Rocks.

 

[Chris09]

I can narrow it down to two breeds. My Rhode Island Red's and Barred Rocks..
With the Red's and some selective breeding I can get New Hamshires and Production Reds.
By crossing the Red rooster with a Barred Rock hen I can get black Sex-Linked.

Chris

 

[speckledhen]

Barred Plymouth Rocks, hands down. Much as I adore my Delawares, BRs will always top my list.

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

i dont have barred plymouth rocks...yet, but i wish i had some. Also SILKIES!!

 

[easttxchick]

Quote:
I live in humid East Texas as well!
I LOVE my Barred Rocks(matter of fact, I added a few more to my flock recently). If nothing else, get them for the sheer enjoyment of their awesome personalities(and mine are great layers as well).