What Chicken Breed is Right for Me?

[Sk8inChick(en)]

It seems like everyone agrees EE's are a good choice.

I'm just curious, would 2 EE's get along with 1 Silky?

By the way, Bedazzle is a beautiful chicken! Is she an EE?

 

[Coopacabana]

Cute hen starlover21! Love the color!

Yes, silkies and EE's will get along. As long as there is food, water and a reasonable amount of space, your coop doesn't need to be huge. You may want to provide some sort of treat designed to give them something to do as boredom and overcrowding are too main causes of picking and, in extreme cases, cannibalism.

The thing about chicks is that if you still have to provide heat anyways, you might as well get day olds. You will know how they were handled and cared for, and have the best chances of obtaining your desired breed, though as both your choices are popular ones you shouldn't find any shortage. It's not really hard- might as get off on the right foot. That said, if you can find some healthy older birds that were handled as chicks, it's instant chickens. I for one love the little ones but of course you are better assured as to color and sex if you go for older birds. And some chicks just won't make it. A bit of sugar or molasses in the water helps, though. Mypetchicken.com has free e-books on chick/chicken care.

2 EE's and one silkie- i wouldn't do it. at least two silkies is a good idea, as they will form a sub flock and you never want one really 'weird' chicken (from the normal ones point of view) by itself.

It would appear that Bedazzle is a very pretty EE.

 

[Sk8inChick(en)]

That's good to know about the different breeds. I think I'm just going to go with either SIlkies or EE's. Or perhaps two Silkie and two EE? Still figuring it out, LOL!


I do have some experience hatching chicks. And they are emtremely adorable!

I just don't want the hassle and having to order extras, in case some don't make it, and possibly ending up with more than I bargained for. And I still remember the smell...

Is it difficult to find older birds? Such as 8-10 wk. pullets?


Again, thank you so much for your help!

 

[Coopacabana]

two silkies and two EE's would work out nicely.

It depends where you are and how concerned you are with the color. I'd try craigslist, Ebay, or here on BYC's buy/sell section. Post a 'wanted' add if you can't find anything. I just had a white crested black polish chick die, so i understand your wanting older birds.

 

[Sk8inChick(en)]

Would keeping both those breeds in a coop require more space for each bird? Would they need more than 4 sq. ft. per bird?

That's a good idea, I think I'll try looking at those places you mentioned.

Thank you!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

On your list, consider that cochins, bantams and silkies tend to go broody often - cutting into egg production.
I discourage people from keeping silkies in a mixed flock, especially with LF.
I would add Jersey Giants, Barnevelders and Australorps as docile and great layers.

 

[NanaKat]

On your list, consider that cochins, bantams and silkies tend to go broody often - cutting into egg production.
I discourage people from keeping silkies in a mixed flock, especially with LF.
I would add Jersey Giants, Barnevelders and Australorps as docile and great layers.

My Australorps are friendly, laying 5 - 6 eggs a week per hen. They take heat and cold well, will go broody but not often. Their black feathers sheen green in the sun.
Delawares is another good breed for the same reasons.

 

[Whittni]

Silkies are the way to go!

 

[Sk8inChick(en)]

Thanks for all the replies!

Is it generally not a good idea to mix bantams, especially Silkies, and large fowl in the same flock?

Are Australorps, Delawares and/or Jersey Giants too big for a small backyard coop?

Climate is a big issue, so I need a breed that's tolerant of both heat and cold extremes. I've read that Silkies are hardy in emtreme temperatures. Are Barnevelders hardy in heat and cold?

 

[Coopacabana]

It is fine to mix bantams and large fowl. Pecking order in the chicken world revolves around temperament, not size. My first silkie lived with a RIR. It only became a problem when i added two wyandottes, at which point i re-homed the wyandottes, they were skittish around me and aggressive with the other hens, and the RIR. I got a few more silkies and some LF EE's, marans, leghorns, black and red stars, and bantam d'uccles and old english game. the old english game banties rule the roost, let me tell you!