What is the best breed of chicken for a family to have?

[newhatcher2]

My goodness! Can not believe that, it's crazy!
The past few days we have been talking about EEs here, and we think they're a pretty cool idea.
Do the colored eggs taste any different ?? :O

 

[dretd]

Quote:
How cold do your winters get? All of our chickens have tolerated the cold but the one with single combs (Speckled Sussex-super sweet, Barred rock-top hen+ friendly, Welsummer-very social) all had varying degrees of frostbite (got to -30 before wind chill last winter). Not that big of a deal because once the tip dies off it won't have frostbite again, but still, nice to avoid if possible.

I have one EE that lays a legitimate tinted jumbo egg and is very friendly, so I would recommend the 'breed' highly. My daughter's fav was the Welsummer. We also like our Light Brahma so much we just got a Dark Brahma chick who is super-friendly. The Brahmas and EE have the advantage of pea combs so they don't get frost bite. One of my friends swears by Orpingtons so I have some in the incubator now. Another friend's favorites are the sexlinks and her Australorp.

I suspect as long as you play with them when they are chicks you will have great success!

Oh, and double the size of any enclosure you are planning cuz you'll need the extra space!

 

[newhatcher2]

I think last winter in this part it got to be about -15.
And yes, I am going to have a lot of time on my hands so I will be able to give them LOTS of attention : )

 

[Walbertl]

black Australorps, Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Barred Rock, Americana(Easter Eggers)...Really any dual purpose bird from hatcheries will do well foraging and in cold/warm weather.
I had 2 australorp, orpington and wyandotte in a small coop outside when it got to -25 windchill and they were fine.

Did you heat your coop? I'm been ready if you don't start with heat they can adapt to weather changes....

 

[Dominique King]

Do not get Rhode Island Reds or NH Reds. They are pretty mean to the rest of the flock if you are thinking of getting them. The roos of that breed also are very mean. We now have a Jersey Giant x RIR roo who us not attacking us yet. But I think he isn’t going to because of the JG in him. JG are great chickens to go for as well as Wyandottes. They are very sweet and laid back chickens who are very cold hardy if you live in a place that gets cold winters. (like me) Dominiques are also very sweet! And look very beautiful!
So take or leave my comments…it is up to you! And I hope you have good luck!
And also Merry Christmas!

 

[Dominique King]

Dominiques are also very cold hardy and LOVE to forage!

 

[Dominique King]

Oh really? Well then I suppose insulation is a better idea, I believe we have some laying around in our barn...
It will still be a month or two until we build the coop, so haven't done much research on what to do, plus my Dad will be taking care of that.

I have read that insulation can actually attract pests like mice and other rodents. But if you just have a coop built with boards. Use the board and batten layout. It will cover up the little slats between the boards and prevent drafts. But keep a little ventilation during the summer. If possible have your waterer outside with a heater or s bubbler to keep the water from freezing. If you have the water inside the coop it will give your chickens frost bite. I have my waterer outside now and my chickens have not gotten frost bite. It has been below freezing and they are doing amazing!