What breeds have you had the best experience with?

[missrose]

Ive heard a lot about clipping wings and my friend told me that clipping only works for certain breeds. Is this true?

I have a buff orp, EE, BR, and amerucana and sounds like my next batch will be those and a couple of red sex-linked

thank you

 

[JamesA]

I would say Buckeyes and Delawares.Both very friendly and great free rangers

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
I know you didn't ask this, but thought this may interest you. Both of the ones mentioned by James are listed as, "critical," on the endangered list. I like the idea of raising them, to help increase their population as well. I have Delawares in the brooder, and they are the friendliest and most curious chicks I have raised. I don't have any Buckeyes.

 

[lildinkem]

Orpingtons for me.
MISSROSE you clip one wing on any bird and they don't fly well at all.

 

[sbarab]

My Speckeled Sussex & GLW both have no trouble clearing a 6' fence with one clipped wing.

 

[Mahonri]

Quiet and doesn't fly, lays LOTS of eggs.

Black Sex links, Delawares, Buff Orpingtons, Speckled Sussex.

________________________________________________________________

My Ameraucanas, while beautiful and they also lay beautiful eggs... are SO NOISY!!!... and so are the leghorns and the ancona. FLIGHTY, NOISY, BIRDS...

At least the Ameraucanas like to be handled.

 

[JamesA]

Quote:
I know you didn't ask this, but thought this may interest you. Both of the ones mentioned by James are listed as, "critical," on the endangered list. I like the idea of raising them, to help increase their population as well. I have Delawares in the brooder, and they are the friendliest and most curious chicks I have raised. I don't have any Buckeyes.

I could also add they both are very goood egg layers as well as dual purpose birds.They fill out rather quickly especially the delawares.

My Buckeyes and Delawares are the friendliest birds I have.The are the first ones under my feet when I go to feed them.

 

[lildinkem]

SBARAH
I have an 8 foot fence and my Red Speckled Sussex do not clear it, or even try. And their wings aren't clipped. Maybe there is a reason their trying so hard to get away.

 

[kees]

Silkies

Suzy

 

[Illia]

Personally I would vote New Hampshire reds over RIR's - They were bred from RIRs to be better, anyway. To me, they are the friendliest, most quiet (besides the Polish) and best layers. They're pretty hardy, too - Although my Wyandottes are the hardiest of all. They are super layers, and will survive anything, but. . Mine aren't quite as friendly. They are very clique-ish, and only the ones at the "bottom of the totem pole" are friendly enough to approach me without a quizzical look on their faces. Then again, I love all my chickens - They all lay pretty decently except for a couple exceptions, but those exceptions don't lie within the breed, just the certain hen. (example: My Polish are pretty good layers, but not the best, and only one of them is probably my favorite hen - She is sooo friendly, brave, and has gone through quite a lot. Also, my Easter Egger lays huuge eggs, and she's really sweet and hardy, but she also takes long breaks. She will lay for a couple days, then break for several, then lay a couple more, then break for a few, and so on)

I would just say go with Wyandottes and New Hampshire Reds though - And if you want some differences with eggs or personality, go with Ameraucanas or Easter Eggers (very large egg with a wide variety of colors) or Brahmas (mine are excellent setters with all that fluff and feather, and lay almost every day. One of them lays every day.)