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

[TwilightMom]

I just went with the cute factor when they were chicks!

 

[AuntieE]

I was going to get 3/4 different breeds to start with, so I could see which I liked the best- and be able to tell them apart. But, the feed store only had black australorps- so that's what I have.

And their markings are different enough I can tell them apart. They're young though, so if a couple turn out to be roos, I have a friend that will take them. I would replace them with a different breed- buff orpingtons or barred rocks or black jerseys, or golden comets, or light brahmas or......there are just too many to choose from!

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Oooooh, get some BOs and have a Halloween flock!!! I think that would be an awesome combination of just two breeds!

 

[hennyannie]

Quote:
Oooooh, get some BOs and have a Halloween flock!!! I think that would be an awesome combination of just two breeds!

That is a great idea, imagine them together in a flock! I love pansies in the fall in orange and black.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

It may not be best for everybody, but we have found that working with 2-3 breeds is much easier and better for genetics. We can concentrate on just a few breeds to make them the best they can be rather than play around with 15 different breeds and produce mediocre offspring.

 

[Cattitude]

That's why the brown and white egg layers are down at the Farm and the blue egg layers are on the Hill. I take care of the blue eggers and my partner in Chicken Math takes care of the main egg-laying flock, with some input from me. I'm not so much interested in getting different breeds as in exploring the potential of the roo I got from speckledhen, Roosevelt. I get dizzy thinking of plans for him, most of which will not take shape but are fun to think about anyway!

And of course that's the perfect opportunity to post a picture of him! I'm a proud adoptive momma!

(People who visit the farm goggle at him and ask if he's a turkey.)

 

[Egghead_Jr]

For our first year experiment into chickens we went with a few varieties for just that, variety. In color of bird and behavior, egg laying ability too.

With that under our belt and already knowing we like having a few chickens about for the kids to grow and learn with as we do- we went with all one breed this year for temperment and simply varied the color of that breed. Sure the egg #'s will be down some but it was the breed that suits us as a family. Even the 3 year old picks up the chickens and pets this breed and I'm content with the production. BTW- I could'nt ever get my Red Star to squat for me so she went with the leghorns this spring. I saw no advantage Of red star over production reds and love the black star far more than red star for egg size and #. The 4 left all squat and can pick up when free ranging if needed.

ETA- My signature has already dwindled in types I have. The 4 below are what's to give us our eggs over summer as the hatchlings grow out. Basically I had great layers and underestimated them so retained too many over winter. 5 Plymouths over next winter should do our fam fine.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

I started out with all EEs, but the hatchery sent some BAs and packing peanuts and I loved, but I had to get rid of them because I can't have roosters, so I went to buy some hens, but they only had the assorted pullets left so I got those instead, and I became addicted to the guessing game! now I have 8 different breeds of chickens and 9 khaki campbell ducks

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Variety is the spice of life! Who can resist having a rainbow of gorgeous birds?

 

[gmendoza]

CHICKEN MADDNESS!

nuff said.