What made you decide to get numerous different breeds of chicken?

[ChickenAlgebra]

Started getting more for fun, then kids got into 4H, so other breed for what they wanted.

 

[TigerLilly]

I found that although I wanted brown eggs, I couldnt decide on which breeds, so I got different ones!

 

[hennyannie]

Quote:
I grew up thinking there were only two breeds RIRs And BRs. I now have what my cousin calls Baskin Robins chickens 37 differant flavors. But when one is missing I know because I know how many of each flavor I have. One year I had all RIRs and named them all R names. Only two could I tell from the others.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Just think potato chips.... you can't have just one

I only wanted a few laying hens now we have at least 100 at any time plus we raise hundreds extra every year.

We have a little over 100 right now, over a hundred eggs in the incubator and looks like I'm driving to Missouri in a week or so to pick up more chicks.

It's an illness with no known cure.

 

[DDRanch]

Yes, you are destined for more. No doubt about it. One of my favorite activities is watching my girls free range and the different breeds and colors are a fabulous and very satisfing visual. Also, the breeds are different in personality so they are even more fun to observe and work with. I bet you will find your favorites, but will eventually mix it up......if not, you will surley end up with more of the same...it's addictive so be ready.

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

I started with 4 Gold Sex Links. Then the feed store had EE chicks and my hatch all died right after lockdown, so I bought 2. Then yesterday I got a black Cochin pullet for shows.

 

[Domestic_goddess]

Let's just say I like variety! I have 10 different breeds myself.

 

[shelleyd2008]

I've got less breeds now than I did a year ago. When I first got chickens I just got 1 or 2 of this breed, 1 or 2 of that breed, and so on. Basically, a few representatives of the breeds I liked. Or if I went to a sale and saw a 'pretty' hen I'd buy her without any idea of breeds. Then I started learning about breeds, selling eggs and chicks, and I started acquiring more birds of the breeds I already had along with a few more new breeds that I just had to have.

This year, I've decided to 'focus' on a few certain breeds. I realized last year that it was impossible to be a 'good' breeder when I had 10+ different breeds to work with. There was no way I could afford to get 'good' birds--birds that I needed to improve my breeders--in all the breeds I had. I also culled some breeds because they were low producers or had poor hatch rates.

I've finally got it down to a more manageable number. The japanese are new this year, but I've had them before and these are pretty nice-looking birds. I'm limiting myself to only blue, black, and splash in Old English bantams, at least they can be mixed together so I don't have to have separate pens for them (of course I do though). The seramas are also new this year but I'm going into a partnership with a friend of mine, so we're working together to improve the flocks we have.

I'm going from at least 10 different breeds down to 6, I think that'll be easier to work with. Who knows? I might drop a few more next year.

I don't have chickens for egg purposes (eating), they are mainly just for breeding. By the end of this week, the only chickens I will have are my breeders plus a few EE hens because blue egg layers sell pretty good

 

[schellie69]

When I started in chickens I bought starter pullets and I go 2 of each color that he had, I wanted a flock that looked different. I love all the different color of eggs. I need 2 more breeds, EE's for blue/green eggs and Marans for the really dark brown eggs. Just need to find someone near me that have these 2 breeds. When I do move to a farm I think I will breed just a few breeds and then have my laying flock of mixed breeds.

 

[dkvart1]

I'm looking forward to summer when I can finally get some chickens... my list so far includes: Silver Laced Wyandotte, Speckled Sussex, Light Brahma, EE's, and Buff Orphingtons.... live should be lived in COLOR!

I only have a little over an acre, so my intention (I hear that snickering!) is to keep it relatively small but I'm smart enough to know that the best of intentions often fail miserably!

Thankfully it can't get too out of control, our city ordinance only allows 25 chickens, and sadly no roos.

That breaks my heart as I have seen some beautiful roos and so wanted a couple... but I'll take what I can get and be most happy.