What is your favorite breed of all time and why?

[Alexandra33]

Not at all! Yes after numerous months of research, I have come to the conclusion that any breeder I want to go to won’t sell less then 6, won’t sex them and won’t allow local pickup. The middlemen in my area require a minimum of 6 and I had a not so stellar experience last go around (out of three chicks one was a roo and the other died suddenly after she turned 1. the third one remaining is flighty). So I decided if everyone else in the country is doing mail order maybe I should give it a try. After doing hatchery research I found that Cackle was the highest rated and had many good reviews!

There are several articles written on hatcheries- see below link for one of the helpful ones I came across

https://www.communitychickens.com/how-does-your-favorite-mail-order-hatchery-stack-up/

So when it comes down to it I am looking for friendly, docile and quiet egg laying hens for backyard production pets that can handle a cold climate!

I am looking for 3-4 this go around as I am adding to my existing flock. I prefer sexed chicks as I cannot have a roo in suburban Long Island.

The good news is that I did some research and it looks like cackle offers cuckoo maran a little later in the year. I like getting a variety of breeds to keep it interesting! Have you ordered from Cackle before? I have spoken to them on the phone and they are very helpful so far.

Good for you, doing extensive research! If 3 is your minimum, then the town special happens to be perfect.

Interesting article. The author's assessment of Cackle - spot on. Saddens me, though, how she reviewed Meyer so poorly. Our many experiences with customer service, survivability after shipment, and bird health are nothing but wonderful. From my involvement on Facebook and several hatchery recommendation threads, it seems the overall top three contenders are as follows: Meyer, Cackle, and Murray McMurray.

After looking at available breeds, and taking your criteria into consideration....Salmon Faverolles, Speckled Sussex, and Light Brahma would be wonderful possibilities. Sex Links are known to be friendly, but their hereditary egg tract issues often shorten lifespans. Pretty sure it stems from the unnatural productive capabilities. These often quit laying at 1-2 years of age, too. Just something to consider. Wyandottes can either be sweet and calm, or distant and fiery. It's a mixed bag.

We ordered 29 Marans, Welsummers, Leghorns, Easter Eggers, and OEGBs from Cackle last Feb.. Loved the experience so much, there are 30+ more OEGBs on the way in about 3 weeks!

~Alex

 

[mrskenmore]

Cubalaya are heat and cold tolerant, and have pea combs. In the true bred lines the temperament is curious and friendly without much handling. With handling they are almost excessively friendly and underfoot. This is without question my favorite breed and I've had them for 20+ years. They are medium egg layers and typically excellent broodies. The most common color is wheaten as the single hens pictured are.View attachment 1644163 View attachment 1644165 View attachment 1644167

they are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! Don’t know if I have heard about them- but will research for sure!! thanks!!

 

[mrskenmore]

Good for you, doing extensive research! If 3 is your minimum, then the town special happens to be perfect.

Interesting article. The author's assessment of Cackle - spot on. Saddens me, though, how she reviewed Meyer so poorly. Our many experiences with customer service, survivability after shipment, and bird health are nothing but wonderful. From my involvement on Facebook and several hatchery recommendation threads, it seems the overall top three contenders are as follows: Meyer, Cackle, and Murray McMurray.

After looking at available breeds, and taking your criteria into consideration....Salmon Faverolles, Speckled Sussex, and Light Brahma would be wonderful possibilities. Sex Links are known to be friendly, but their hereditary egg tract issues often shorten lifespans. Pretty sure it stems from the unnatural productive capabilities. These often quit laying at 1-2 years of age, too. Just something to consider. Wyandottes can either be sweet and calm, or distant and fiery. It's a mixed bag.

We ordered 29 Marans, Welsummers, Leghorns, Easter Eggers, and OEGBs from Cackle last Feb.. Loved the experience so much, there are 30+ more OEGBs on the way in about 3 weeks!

~Alex

Thanks! Can I get in on your order lol?!? I will be calling Cackke this week to ask additional questions. My last point if contention is if I do mail order direct from cackle or use a local farm - Razny’s in PA and do a local pickup. The farm came highly recommended from Cackle as they are the suppliers to that family. My one concern is using a middleman again- however if I order direct from cackle I coukd get more than I ordered... or they could arrive dead . decisions decisions! I think at this point it would be easier to sell my house and move to the country with all of the daily research I do!!! I need more acreage for my chicken math... I mean hobby! As for the sexlink- I had a beautiful one- Jolene! Full of personailty and a flock leader- just like you mention she stopped laying at 2 and died from EYP shortly thereafter- broke my heart. She was genetically disposed for sure

 

[Tinkey71]

I like my Rhode Island Reds
They had a lot of things I wanted-
Known to be good egg layers
Can acclimate to hot temperatures ( I live in Florida)
Don’t mind containment
( they free range a few hours a day, but spend time in a coop as well )
I have found them to be a lot smarter than my last chickens - the RIRs had no problem figuring out the ramp when I first put them outside ( I had to go catch my others chickens at night and put them up in the coop for like 2 weeks) , they figured out how to drink from chicken nipples Within seconds ( it said on the container it might take a few days ) and since they started laying, they always use the nesting boxes, I’ve never had troubles with them laying from the roosting bar or other problems I see on other threads.
They have a pretty easy temperament too- don’t bother my ducks that they share space with when free ranging.
Maybe they aren’t the prettiest chicken of all, but I like mine.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

I love brahmas!
Planning on breeding my blue buff columbians, lemon Pyles and golden partridge Brahmas this year.
They are very quiet, friendly, docile, cold hardy, great with kids, make excellent broodies being able to cover lots of eggs as they’re so big, great layers, excellent mother hens and they’re just darn right stunning.
Gentle giants they are!

Here’s some pics of mine

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I like my Rhode Island Reds
They had a lot of things I wanted-
Known to be good egg layers
Can acclimate to hot temperatures ( I live in Florida)
Don’t mind containment
( they free range a few hours a day, but spend time in a coop as well )
I have found them to be a lot smarter than my last chickens - the RIRs had no problem figuring out the ramp when I first put them outside ( I had to go catch my others chickens at night and put them up in the coop for like 2 weeks) , they figured out how to drink from chicken nipples Within seconds ( it said on the container it might take a few days ) and since they started laying, they always use the nesting boxes, I’ve never had troubles with them laying from the roosting bar or other problems I see on other threads.
They have a pretty easy temperament too- don’t bother my ducks that they share space with when free ranging.
Maybe they aren’t the prettiest chicken of all, but I like mine.

I like RIR too. They are gorgeous birds.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I love brahmas!
Planning on breeding my blue buff columbians, lemon Pyles and golden partridge Brahmas this year.
They are very quiet, friendly, docile, cold hardy, great with kids, make excellent broodies being able to cover lots of eggs as they’re so big, great layers, excellent mother hens and they’re just darn right stunning.
Gentle giants they are!

Here’s some pics of mine
View attachment 1644989 View attachment 1644990 View attachment 1644991 View attachment 1644992 View attachment 1644993 View attachment 1644994 View attachment 1644995 View attachment 1644996 View attachment 1644997 View attachment 1644998 View attachment 1644999 View attachment 1645000 View attachment 1645001 View attachment 1645002 View attachment 1645003 View attachment 1645005 View attachment 1645006
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You have some nice looking birds.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

You have some nice looking birds.

Thank you

 

[mrskenmore]

I like my Rhode Island Reds
They had a lot of things I wanted-
Known to be good egg layers
Can acclimate to hot temperatures ( I live in Florida)
Don’t mind containment
( they free range a few hours a day, but spend time in a coop as well )
I have found them to be a lot smarter than my last chickens - the RIRs had no problem figuring out the ramp when I first put them outside ( I had to go catch my others chickens at night and put them up in the coop for like 2 weeks) , they figured out how to drink from chicken nipples Within seconds ( it said on the container it might take a few days ) and since they started laying, they always use the nesting boxes, I’ve never had troubles with them laying from the roosting bar or other problems I see on other threads.
They have a pretty easy temperament too- don’t bother my ducks that they share space with when free ranging.
Maybe they aren’t the prettiest chicken of all, but I like mine.

I have heard a lot of good things about RIR- unfortunately the ones I have met have been downright LOUD!!! I think there are heritage breeds and production reds- I am thinking I have only met production reds... The heritage breeds I met at the Ohio National Poultry show in November were so chill and beautiful!!

 

[mrskenmore]

I love brahmas!
Planning on breeding my blue buff columbians, lemon Pyles and golden partridge Brahmas this year.
They are very quiet, friendly, docile, cold hardy, great with kids, make excellent broodies being able to cover lots of eggs as they’re so big, great layers, excellent mother hens and they’re just darn right stunning.
Gentle giants they are!

Here’s some pics of mine
View attachment 1644989 View attachment 1644990 View attachment 1644991 View attachment 1644992 View attachment 1644993 View attachment 1644994 View attachment 1644995 View attachment 1644996 View attachment 1644997 View attachment 1644998 View attachment 1644999 View attachment 1645000 View attachment 1645001 View attachment 1645002 View attachment 1645003 View attachment 1645005 View attachment 1645006
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They are beautiful!! Thank you for sharing your photos of your amazing flock!! Everyone seems to like Brahmas!