What chickens would you get?

[Stamper]

Quote:
No! Not enough said! I want to know WHY

 

[OutdoorFun4]

We wanted our breeds to have good egg production, be calm around the kids, and be winter hardy.

We came up with:
2 Australorps
2 Easter Eggers
1 Buff Orpington
1 Barred Rock
1 RIR
1 Golden Laced Wyandotte

We really like the mix and have had no problems.

 

[Davaroo]

"...if you could only have 8 chickens, and you wanted them for eggs and pets, what would you get?"
Australorps

I want chickens that are a tiny bit smart (at least) and I would like to get a variety, some who are good at laying in winter (low light, not very cold here).
Okay, now you're gonna get fancy? Smart? Chickens??
Don't bank on any high IQ's in the flock, is all I'm gonna say on that score.

As for variety, I dont recommend the 'yard aquarium' flock as a rule... so I wont break with that now. Get two compatible breeds at the most. To the A-lorps, I'd add Wyandottes.

Both the Australorp and Wyandotte are docile as a rule and good layers. They are of the same general class and so have the same needs and temperament.

The Wy is traditionally a cold hardy breed, and so has a bit more winter laying behind her as a breed. But where the winter temps are mild, the A-lorp is fine.

Besides, winter laying is more a matter of timing than anything else. People get this notion that laying is a never ending process, hens little more than egg making automatons. That is hardly the case.

The best way to ensure winter laying is the ensure they hatch out at the right time. If you do that, they will be laying readily in winter. Simple, eh?

Oh, you can play a few tricks with the lighting to stimulate/extend laying, but no amount of timed illumination will help if the birds are molting.

 

[MagsC]

If I could only have one breed, I would choose Brahmas. Are you wanting different breeds?

 

[Puma]

We have White Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds and Black Australorps. They are all great chickens.

 

[Equus5O]

I went with 2 Leghorns, 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Red Stars and 2 Silkies.

My concern for winter hardiness had nothing to do with egg laying (although that would be a bonus), but with their ability to survive through the winter without supplemented heat.

I wanted variety in my flock for aesthetics. I'd like to look out at my chickens and not see clones.

 

[AZKat]

Quote:
Out of curiosity, why not?

 

[cimarron]

wierd, this is almost exactly the mix we have! it's a nice mix. only problem is that one of the easter eggers gets her butt feathers picked. otherwise they (7 hens) give us about 5 eggs a day and get along ok with the odd squabble here and there

Quote:

 

[chickfluff]

I like Easter Eggers and Barred Rocks. As for a smart bird, I don't think barred rocks are supposed to be especially smart, but my little girl was the first one to do everything, like find the food and water, and she was the first one to roost. My four chickens are still chicks, but they are all pretty smart and very sweet. My other two are an Australorp and a Buff Orpington.

 

[Renee]

I am of the aquarium school. A landscaper would be horrified by my garden too. I would get one of each breed.

I love my Columbian Wyandotte, Blanched. She is the prettiest chicken, she is affectionate and falls asleep on my lap, and she lays the cutest brown speckled eggs. I also have a Silver-laced Wyandotte (Quasi) and a Silver Campine (Audrey). Audrey is very talkative and active, and she is also a cute little thing with big, dark, expressive eyes. Although she is a bit skittish, once she jumps up on my lap I can stroke her head and she just falls over on her side with her eyes closed, she's in such chicken ecstacy. She lays white eggs. Speckled Sussex are a beautiful bird too.

Okay:
1. Buff Orp: cuddly, good layers
2. Barred Rock: personality, pretty, good layers
3. Columbian Wyandotte or Light Brahma: beautiful, cuddly, good layers
4. Easter Egger or Marans: colored eggs
5. Australorp: beautiful dark eyes, good layers
6. Speckled Sussex: beautiful plumage, good layers
7. Rhode Island Red or Sex Link: excellent layers
8. Buttercup or Silver Campine: perky, beautiful, unique, good layers.