What breeds of chickens do you have?

[Kristen D]

Mine are predominantly for eggs, but I like them as pets as well. Albeit mostly allusive ones.

I have:
One Production Red (Ol Red),
One Cuckoo Marans (Nut),
One presumed B. Australorp (Glinda),
And seven Easter Eggers.

Haha aww love their names! I'm assuming the Easter eggers are your favorite breed?

 

[maralpz2006]

My favorite is naked neck and frizzle

 

[JaeG]

So which breed do you like best for being broody, surrogate, or good mothers? I don't show chickens, but if I bought a silkie I would still expect one that has good traits, and is well bred. Poor thing getting soaked for infertile eggs, but at least that shows you she's determined

I've only tried my OEGBs and one of my Booted bantam as mothers and both have been wonderful. This Booted came to us as a young pullet. We also got two frizzle chicks off the breeder (unfortunately both turned out to be boys and had to go back) and our new Booted bantam pullet, Hope, adopted them and looked after them. When she was a bit older she went broody and was still determinedly broody after 10 weeks (I'd brought her inside where she got lots of attention and treats so she was still in great condition). So we got her a few Silkie chicks - she was so happy! Hope and a couple of my OEGBs have also hatched Japanese quail eggs for me, but quail need a lot of cuddling in the first week whereas a hen wants to be up and scratching about, finding her babies food, so I brooded them myself. I'd love to indulge my broody girls more!

 

[Kristen D]

My favorite is naked neck and frizzle

You like the unique looking ones eh? That's awesome. The naked neck ones are so interesting! Same with the frizzles. I tend to be drawn to sheek ones with a proud stance, and upward tail feathers. I find I'm drawn to the same physical characteristics in dogs as well, like my Doberman. I like when animals look proud? If that makes sense lol.

 

[Kristen D]

I've only tried my OEGBs and one of my Booted bantam as mothers and both have been wonderful. This Booted came to us as a young pullet. We also got two frizzle chicks off the breeder (unfortunately both turned out to be boys and had to go back) and our new Booted bantam pullet, Hope, adopted them and looked after them. When she was a bit older she went broody and was still determinedly broody after 10 weeks (I'd brought her inside where she got lots of attention and treats so she was still in great condition). So we got her a few Silkie chicks - she was so happy! Hope and a couple of my OEGBs have also hatched Japanese quail eggs for me, but quail need a lot of cuddling in the first week whereas a hen wants to be up and scratching about, finding her babies food, so I brooded them myself. I'd love to indulge my broody girls more!

That's beyond cool. It would be so interesting if you recorded and journaled your chickens surrogating. You should try duck! I've watched a few YouTube videos of chickens hatching out duck eggs. They've always been amazing mothers to the ducklings but, you can tell some of them are a little bewildered by the quacking and especially swimming! Lol. I haven't heard of anybody doing quail though! That must have been so amazing to witness. I'm very interested in broody breeds that are also great moms because in the last week I have had a terrible experience incubating and hatching quail and chicken eggs. With the quail I had 3 dozen eggs incubating, and only 3 hatched. Two of those died in the first 24 hours as well. So I have one lonely baby quail in a brooder. Four days later my 3 dozen chicken eggs were suppose to hatch, sadly none did. I allowed the quail eggs to go 3 days past the last hatch, which was day 23 incubating. The chicken eggs I kept in the incubator until day 26. I bought two very crappy, still air incubators for $50 a piece, and I regret that. It was disappointing for my first time incubating and trying to hatch myself. I would like to try again, but not until I buy a good incubator. I wish I could return these ones but I've already used them.

 

[SilverKelpie]

lock or small flock? What's your favorite breeds? Why does everybody have their chickens for? I can research, and read all about different breeds, but nothings better than real advice and opinions from real people. Thanks!

Small flock. I have one of each of the following: Appenzeller Spitzhauben, Sumatra, Fayoumi, Dominique, Welsummer, Easter Egger. I specifically got this variety for a colorful egg basket. I really like the look of the Appenzeller Spitzhauben and the Sumatra. I also really like (but have yet to own due to cost) Silkies, Ameraucanas, Sebrights, Orloffs, Deathlayers, and Ice Cream Bars. (I admit the last two are due to the fantastic names.)

I heard repeatedly that I shouldn't get the Fayoumi, Sumatra, and Appenzeller Spitzhauben because they would be too difficult to control, but I haven't yet had any major issues with them.

 

[meetthebubus]

Buff orps have been represented but I'm the biggest supporter of buffs! So I have to put in my opinion

Buffs are the best can't imagine a friendlier breed! I actually made a video about it recently while I was talking about how they like to cuddle up comes Mohawkie!

 

[JaeG]

That's beyond cool. It would be so interesting if you recorded and journaled your chickens surrogating. You should try duck! I've watched a few YouTube videos of chickens hatching out duck eggs. They've always been amazing mothers to the ducklings but, you can tell some of them are a little bewildered by the quacking and especially swimming! Lol. I haven't heard of anybody doing quail though! That must have been so amazing to witness. I'm very interested in broody breeds that are also great moms because in the last week I have had a terrible experience incubating and hatching quail and chicken eggs. With the quail I had 3 dozen eggs incubating, and only 3 hatched. Two of those died in the first 24 hours as well. So I have one lonely baby quail in a brooder. Four days later my 3 dozen chicken eggs were suppose to hatch, sadly none did. I allowed the quail eggs to go 3 days past the last hatch, which was day 23 incubating. The chicken eggs I kept in the incubator until day 26. I bought two very crappy, still air incubators for $50 a piece, and I regret that. It was disappointing for my first time incubating and trying to hatch myself. I would like to try again, but not until I buy a good incubator. I wish I could return these ones but I've already used them.

Oh, poor you! And your poor little lonely only!

Having a good broody makes life so much easier! No mucking around with humidity or temperature! And it's gorgeous watching their interactions. Bantams are often fantastic mothers especially bantam cochins (called Pekins in my country), silkies, OEGBs, and I'm sure there are many more. My darling Pixie (the one that died) was a brilliant mother to some large fowl Orpington chicks. Here's a photo:

I did have her inside as it was winter and I did give them a heat lamp as they got bigger. By 20 days old they were half as big as she was!


One of our OEGBs, Elsa (named by our daughter), was allowed to keep her quail chicks, not that they needed her for long - three weeks old and they were pretty independent. Only two hatched - a week apart, and she sat for all of that week while I provided food and water, as she knew that second egg was going to hatch.

 

[jwyles]

What breeds of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other fowl do you have? Do you have a large flock or small flock? What's your favorite breeds? Why does everybody have their chickens for? I can research, and read all about different breeds, but nothings better than real advice and opinions from real people. Thanks!

I don't have a lot of experience bc I just started building my flock in April. Got my final birds in June. I got them simply because I have wanted chickens for many many years. At first I wanted just a few brahma in the varying common shades but they were difficult to find around my hometown so since I didn't get my first choice I decided to shoot for a mixed flock and colorful egg basket. I did end up with 1 light brahma, as well as 2 EE, 1 OE, 1FBCM, 2 bantam Cochin-1 buff frizzle, 1 smooth gold lace, 1 salmon faverolle & 1 lavender true Ameraucana. I have all pullets bc I live in town and roosters are not permitted. So far my favorite birds are my little splash EE and my 2 Cochin bantams. This is 100% based on personality as none of mine are laying yet. The little Cochin I don't expect many eggs from, but as far as eye candy and cuteness, it's hard to find a better breed. They are so fluffy it's just adorable and they truly are sweet little birds. They were by far the friendliest of the chicks. My splash EE seems to be the most interested in me so of course I like her. Not to mention she is the one chick I hand selected myself specifically for her looks. She was such a cute chick with her fluffy cheeks and has turned into a beautiful pullet with very unique feather pattern. My other EE is very pretty but more on the flighty side. I got them from the local feed store but they are originally from cackle. The salmon faverolle is the funniest and quirkiest by far of all of them. I heard they were friendly but I've yet to experience it as she spooks at the drop of a hat but I could watch her all day long. She's just so goofy. I honestly believe she'll settle down with age and be a sweetheart. She's also my youngest bird but one of the biggest so I think she's going to be a big fluff butt when she's done growing. I purchased her from a breeder and I believe she has good type. I don't regret it either bc I wanted my SF for their looks and possible creamy pink eggs and this lady said hers lay that color. My OE and Ameraucana are very much interested in the other birds but pay me no mind. They are pretty and I have no regrets about them but they're just yard ornaments and I don't feel particularly connected to them. They're really on the flighty side and I think they work the others up for no reason sometimes. Hopefully that too changes as they age and settle down. My FBCM I believe is going to be a real sweetheart but she is just very shy. I got her from a breeder at probably 14 weeks old or so, so she was sort of ripped from a place where she was established and forced to learn all these new faces so I don't blame her at all. She's a big pretty girl and I can't wait til she comes out of her shell. I'm also really hoping for some beautiful chocolate eggs from her. My brahma is not a disappointment. She too is from cackle and is a very big pretty and gentle bird. She seems to be one of the top dogs but never really has to put anyone in their place. They just respect her. She seems to be warming up to me too. I'll attach a few pics for you to check everyone out. If I were to give any advice I would say if you want them for looks and really want birds that look a certain way and true to type, find a reputable breeder. But if you are more interested in eggs I've heard it said that hatcheries breed more for production than type so you can probably get birds that look the part but maybe aren't perfect examples but that lay better than the show quality versions of the same breeds. Good luck to you!

Buff frizzle Cochin bantam

Splash with some bronze penciling EE

Front to back: brahma, lavender Ameraucana (this was a cockerel I had to rehome but the pullet looks the same), salmon faverolle, splash OE, FBCM

Gold laced Cochin bantam

Other EE , she's a mix between blue and buff with some lacing in SO areas

FBCM, this when she wouldn't even hold her tail up. Poor shy baby.

& Salmon faverolle. Ole goofy thang.


Sorry so long but hope it helps!

 

[FrankieDoodle]

We have a welsummer, cream leg bars, a Brahma, & a silver laced Wyandotte. The cream leg bars are my favorite breed.