What breeds would you get?

[TheSpiceGirls]

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HMMM. My BR's are my friendliest! My BR roo is friendlier than some my other hens are.

I hear from lots of people that their BR's are the friendliest. And most curious. And I think that DH would like that. He likes a bird that is more interactive.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

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Can you explain a Sexlink to me? I know it's a breed where you can tell the males from the females after they hatch. But what confuses me is they are not listed on the breed index on BYC when you go to look them up. So I'm unclear where I would go to buy one or two.

They are not actually a breed. They are a cross bred egg production layer. Bred to distinguish sex by the color of chicks. Red Sex Links are White=male, red=female. I'm not sure about the colors of Black Sex Links as chicks.
My Golden Comets are Red Sex Link, as are Red Stars and Cinnamon Queens. Black Stars are a Black Sex Link.

Okay. Makes sense. But where do you buy them? I don't see them listed as a breed on BYC. Can they be ordered from most hatcheries?

 

[Farm_Maven]

I believe so. I got mine at TSC back in April.

 

[aoxa]

My cochins are my most laid back. The others pick on them more so than the other way around. You'd know they could defend themselves if need be, but they really don't. They are huge chickens. Very fluffy and adorable (IMO)

ETA: My BR is the most PEOPLE friendly, but she will peck the others if they don't know her place as head hen. She's always looking for my attention. Would rather be around us than the other chickens.

 

[angie3881]

MY BO girls are the best! I also really like my BR hens. I think it kind of makes a difference when they all grow up together. But, I have integrated a few and done so with no problems. If I have a pushy girl, I kennel her for a week in front of the other girls-- Time out seems to change her attitude for the better when she comes out. It is a large wire dog kennel, so she can see that everyone else is out and they can see she is stuck in the cage. I think they laugh and point, too.

 

[SueBaby]

There are definitely big variances between individuals of the same breed. I have EEs, Blue Andalusians and BRs. The BRs have always been more assertive/less friendly than the EEs overall for me, but I have read many accounts of people saying that their BRs are their sweetest and most favorite birds.

I read somewhere (Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens?) that chickens tend to prefer to hang out with/get along with similar colored birds. I don't think that holds true in every situation, but it seems that if you have had trouble in the past you might want to try that.

Good luck!

 

[angie3881]

I do believe that. All of my chickens picked on my meat birds mercilessly. Had I known then what I know now, I would have separated them. They do seem to discriminate towards those that are not their color. Stinkers.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

This is all great info and I really appreciate it.

It's really making me rethink my next move. If birds of a feather like to flock together, I'm thinking I'd get another BO to pair off with the one I already have. And then a Black Astralorp to pair off w/ the JG. I can't get another JG. They are too big. They take longer to grow requiring a higher protein diet longer into their growing cycle, long after they've started to lay eggs. And she barely fits in my little hen house. But an Astralorp would look just like her and hopefully get along w/ the Orpingtons since they are somewhat related.

And I do think I'll get a couple of each knowing that I'll likely just keep two. I can sell the other two as a pair or even give them away.

My Ginger is doing much better this morning and I see her standing right next to the JG. So I think those two are beginning to bond and the BO is getting over her fear of eating. So HOPEFULLY, we've turned a corner. Gosh, such a rough week for me. I'm just a wreck.

 

[Pele]

Quote:
They are not actually a breed. They are a cross bred egg production layer. Bred to distinguish sex by the color of chicks. Red Sex Links are White=male, red=female. I'm not sure about the colors of Black Sex Links as chicks.
My Golden Comets are Red Sex Link, as are Red Stars and Cinnamon Queens. Black Stars are a Black Sex Link.

Okay. Makes sense. But where do you buy them? I don't see them listed as a breed on BYC. Can they be ordered from most hatcheries?

They are actually super common in hatcheries. It would be more out of the ordinary to find a hatchery that didn't sell them. They're very popular because of their friendly nature and high egg-production. THere are several crosses that you can get to make these hybrids. My girls are New Hampshire rooster over White Plymouth hen.

I forgot to mention that my friend who convinced me to get into chickens has them too. They handled theirs enough that her birds actually pluck at her jeans until she picks them up. It's hilarious to watch her do the chores with a happy chicken under one arm, just along for the ride.