Whats one breed you own that you would not get again?

[Sally PB]

Not a breed, per se, but I'll steer clear of any bird with lavender feathers, if possible. The feathers are too fragile. My girl with a bare back is FINALLY growing feathers back in.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I don't want to deal with hatchery Orpingtons or Rhode Island Reds again. Mine had the same reproductive problems as the high-production hybrids.

 

[NanaK]

I agree with the high production hybrids. I don't want to deal with the reproductive problems. I've had a few and they all died young, less than 3 yrs old.

Same for the lavender feathers. I had 2 beautiful orpington ladies. I loved them, great personalities, did well with the other birds. I really like the color but their feathers were very ratty except just after a molt. Easily damaged by the roo also.

I have to say my Buff Orpington has been wonderful. Never a problem from her and what a great mom she's been. Now she will be 10 yrs old next spring. Quit laying about 2-3 years ago and living out her retirement in a mixed flock.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

Cornish Rocks.

Pros:

• Rapid growth rate.
• Good meat production.
• Have very good immunities to fowl pox and coccidiosis (in our experiences).
• Not flighty; very laid-back.

Cons:

• Takes up a TON of food.
• Health issues; leg problems, heart attacks, etc.
• Will attack others over food.
• Won't get out from under your feet because they want food.
• Very loud; they make calls that sound like screaming.
• Can't fly like others because of being so heavy; easy prey to predators.

 

[Iluveggers]

Any hybrid high production egg breeds.

Agree w this!

Did lots of research for my current ladies, and very happy with all so far: Brahma, Easter Egger, Sussex, Faverolles, Marans, Welsummer & Orpington. I know you asked what breed I wouldn’t want again but this group is amazing & I would get another of any of those breeds again.

 

[Everose]

Hybrid layers.
They were given to me, I would never get one on purpose, because they all died young from internal laying

 

[Fallenone05]

Cinnamon Queens, Rhode Island Reds, anything barred or Speckled Sussex.

Cinnamon Queens and RIR all laid way too much and way too often. I had more eggs than I had hens in the coop a couple days and it got me super concerned. RIR and Cinnamon Queen HENS have been some of the most chicken-aggressive chickens. They guarded their pecking order spot with their life and were just bullies about it at times.

Barring genes are pretty but I think they're too dominant and I don't want a flock of all barred birds.

Speckled Sussex roosters have been human aggressive. I had one that started attacking me when my back was turned. My coworker was gifted one and guess who also got attacked when her and her husband's (who is disabled) backs were turned? The hens were fairly aggressive with one another as well and didn't lay super great.

Australorps, Easter Eggers, Wyandottes, Partridge Rocks, Marans, Welsummers and Leghorns have been some of my favorites so far and make up some of my flock now. I do like Orpingtons but only the English variety - any color.

 

[alwaystj9]

No bantams, I prefer full sized chickens.
Makes it easier on coop arrangements and fencing.
I disliked trying to keep the flocks separate, always worried about the little guys.

 

[artbykarenehaley]

Do you mean bantam or standard? Just asking because my bantams are almost opposite that

Standard. I really like some aspects of their personality because they're also quite comical and people curious, but hard to contain and loud don't work well in town. The roos only lived at my house for two weeks when they were cockerels before my Dad and Sis bought them and three pullets.
When we visit we have to make sure the roosters and kids don't mix. They kept the less agressive one but he's still so big and protective of his hens, I don't want my kids near him. His name is Beast (my sister named him that, because he's a big guy)

 

[artbykarenehaley]

I think lineage is overlooked a lot when folks look at temperaments and variations within the same breed. Hatcheries, especially, are a crap shoot for temperament. They run dozens and dozens of birds of the same breed together with very little selection going into individual traits because their main concern is mass producing chicks, so temperament and personality can vary quite a bit. From breeders, at least proper breeders and not those claiming to be as such while essentially doing what hatcheries do on a smaller scale, birds tend to have more uniformity because each individual is scrutinized and flocks tend to be much smaller because only the best are put forward. At least, that's been my experience with getting birds from both hatcheries and breeders.

Anyway, long post short, I've never had a Buff Orpington because I personally find the color unappealing, but I've had both lovely and sketchy Orps of other varieties, mostly from hatcheries. I think the breed has its reputation of being sweet and friendly for a reason, many of them are just that... but from a hatchery, you just never know what you'll end up with.

Definitely true.