What do you think of these breeds for a newbie?

[Bantimna]

Quote:
Yes Yes choose some Sussex!

tnchickenut wrote:
I'd go with all of them Why not?

I would go with them all.

What've heard/read:

Easter Eggers: Have from docile to up and jumpy personalities!
Orpingtons: Docile and great farm/yard birds (one of my favorites).
Wyandottes: Good layers, Docile.
Sussex: A true Dual purpose.
Australorps: Queens and Kings of Laying!
Faverolles: Fluff Balls!
Silkies: Very Evil!

Hope you enjoy your birds!
Would you be ordering from a breeder or hatchery?​

 

[easttxchick]

Good choices with the exception to one thing...where are the Barred Rocks on your list? Every flock should have some! Can you tell they are my favorites?

ETA: Australorps are a great tempered docile breed-you'll love them!

 

[CheepSunglasses]

I agree with the comment about the Silkies. They are not as rugged as the other breeds, are more low-temperature sensitive and tend to get picked on in mixed flocks (in our experience). They are not prolific layers and easily go broody (though this is a good thing for many people). The hawks just LOVE them. For beginners, I'd most recommend Buff Orpingtons, who are super friendly. Also, Plymouth Barred Rocks and EEs. You can't go wrong with any of these.

 

[henney penny]

It depends on the kind of roost you have and how high they are,silkies cannot fly,now saying that I had three silkies in with the big ones and they could get to the top if the big ones would let them, they jumped from one rung to the other.I have a ladder type roost.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Any or all of the first 7 will serve you well on an acreage stead... and have for far longer than we've been around. I would recommend you favor a primary breed and keep that group thriving foremost. Eventually you will consider breeding for results and it is far easier to get predictable outcomes with a single breed flock.

Remember that breeds are composed of individual strains, the elements of which are individual birds. These can vary all over the map in temperament and behavior. One breed that is supposedly "docile" can have a strain that is anything but, and so on. The thing to do is pick the birds for their aptitude and "farminess" then adapt to them, not the other way around. The biggest mistake people will make is to read something, assume it applies universally and then be surprised when they learn different.
Personally, I want assertive chickens for the farm. The Chickens World is a Savage Place, and they need to be able to get along in it.


As for the Silkies, call them fun and enjoy a few for their looks. I, myself, wouldn't consider them *serious* chickens for the farmstead, although they make interesting garden and yard birds. Whatever you do, avoid white ones - they're like an alert flag to any passing hawk, dog or fox.

 

[LittleFeat]

You can see the 5 with breed in my signature line. I would say they are all about the same as temperament goes NOW. Before they started laying I would say my Buff Orpington was the friendliest. My Silver Laced Wyandotte and Easter Egger were skittish. They all started laying around the first of February this year and now they all seem to be just as friendly. Don't tell them but I think they think I'm a rooster!!

One thing that I'm not sure you understand is that Easter Eggers are a mixed breed and may or may not give you green or blue eggs. I was kind of disappointed when mine started as she lays a nice light brown egg. I had so hoped for blue or green. But hey....I don't eat the shells and an egg is an egg!!

I wouldn't trade her for the world regardless of egg color. For that matter, I wouldn't trade her for the world if she NEVER laid an egg.

Oh and once mine started I'm getting pretty close to 1 a day from all of them. It might average out to about 6 1/2 per week per bird if I did the math.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
They can't fly. As someone else pointed out, if you have a *very low* roost or if you have a very ladder-y stairsteppy roost, they can get up, but they can't fly up like other chickens normally would to a higher roost.

Pat

 

[chrissy855]

I have almost decided which ones I would like:
3 EE's
3 Australops
2 Salmon Favorelles
2 Buff Orpingtons or Barred Rock

I just can't decide whether to get 2 buff orpingtons or 2 barred rocks. I live in quite a cold climate, so would one be better then the other? A breeders page who is 6 hours away from me said they are both good in cold weather. How well do each lay? Which one do you think I should get?

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Define "quite cold."

Generally speaking, there are few climates in the CONUS that a chicken cant thrive in, with a little help. The Favs are originally from Europe, not known for it's torpid climes.

Here let me decide for you....... get the BO's. Some of the best chickens I've ever had.
There, problem solved.

 

[buckabucka]

We're getting our first chickens, too, and I had the same trouble deciding on breeds. This is what we have arriving in May:

3 Ameraucanas (hoping for green and blue eggs and heard they are friendly)
2 Barred Rock - I think they are really pretty and sweet-looking
2 Speckled Sussex - also like the look of these
2 Welsummer - don't know if they are particularly friendly, but want some chocolate colored eggs
2 White Leghorns - I know they are flighty, but wanted a reliable producer of white eggs
2 Buff Chantecler - the catalog says they are "high strung", but they are cold hardy and it is cold here in Maine.
1 Columbian Wyandotte - cold hardy, liked their looks
1 Light Brahma - couldn't resist at least one with feathered legs
1 Black Copper Maran - these are pricey, but are supposed to lay the darkest brown eggs

I wanted Buff Orps, too, because everyone says how sweet they are, but we just don't have room! Maybe in a couple of years.

Good luck with your selection! I'll be eager to hear how it works out for you.