What to get

[BrandonM]

I am getting chickens and turkeys very soon. What breed should i get?
Traits i need:
Needs to be able to free range
Fend for themselves
Would like to have a good mother
Cold and heat tolerant
Not noisey

*I am looking into dark cornish and barred rock for chickens and either bourbon red or chocolate for turkeys. What do you guys think?

 

[vtfarmer]

We have barred rock and bourbon reds

 

[Cole D]

Chocolate turkeys might be hard to find the only place I have seen them is murry mcmurry hatchery and you have to order 15....

 

[GotCoop]

For chickens, our Black Australorp has been favorite hen and rooster. Hen has raised two clutches of chicks...but does not stay broody, gets in sits for the 21 days, babysits for 3-4 weeks and then is back free-ranging with the rest of the chickens. We've also had RIR, Buffs, New hampshires, Wyandottes, and Easter eggers. They are both hardy and friendly.

This is the first year for turkeys (16 weeks old), we have midget whites, royal palms, and some of varied hertitage. The chickens are fun to watch and they will come for treats...but the turkeys have to be where you are (I find creative ways to sneak away from them in the pasture or they will follow me everywhere.) Chickens seem hardier as babies.

I have favorites, but enjoyed them all. Good Luck