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

[JacinLarkwell]

Hmmm, I never thought of that. They didn’t seem quite small enough to be bantams, as they were only slightly (but noticeably) smaller than my EEs. So definitely not Brahma or Australorp sized. You have a good point.

If it helps, my Wyandotte bantam cockerel was big for a bantam. Too small to be a standard. But large and stocky for a bantam.

 

[topochico225]

Red Stars/any production breeds. I’ve had 2 and they were the only birds I’ve had to intervene with because of egg binding - lost one to it at 15 months and got 4 eggs, some shelled, out of the other. Had to rehome the second a few months ago so I’m not sure if she had any problems after that, but she was fine after the intervention. I, however, was not. The story is great for Two Truths and a Lie and freaking people out, though.

 

[gimmie birdies]

My least favorite 2 chickens, 1. polish- I have gotten this breed through Meyers, white or rare breeds. Makes me not want to get those assortments, and get a "brown egglayer assortment' from them instead. The other chickens are not friendly to polish. I have 3 currently. One Black white crested hen is pecked. 2. is Brahma of any color. Just not my thing.

 

[SilverBirds]

Wyandottes. I was surprised at how small they were, and the eggs were tiny, and I mean tiny. They weren’t very good layers, not friendly, and weak as chicks. Not to mention stupid and not predator aware. Very pretty chickens, but not meant for free ranging or “rugged” environments.

Tiny Wyandottes that lay small eggs? Were they the bantam variety? Mine are massive.

 

[KreetchaKeepa]

I'll never keep Wyandotte's in the future. I have 3 Silver Laced meanies. They're the most unfriendly of my flock and they are rude to everyone, including their own kind. Then there's the issue of those tiny little eggs. Never again

 

[Fallenone05]

I like my RIRs and New Hampshires; they're bold, inquisitive, smart and forage really well. They go farther a field than any of my other breeds and, because they're breaking untrodden ground, they find more grasshoppers, seeds and whatever else they're hunting. They turned the front yard from a chicken-free area into a grazing field by exploring the place and leading the other chickens to the poultry version of the land of milk and honey. It's the one spot in our property that we water and tend as a lawn so the grass is especially tender and lush.

Crossed with our Ameraucana roosters, they make beautiful babies, too.

I'd love to see their babies if you have a thread for that!

 

[kurby22]

Hmmm, I never thought of that. They didn’t seem quite small enough to be bantams, as they were only slightly (but noticeably) smaller than my EEs. So definitely not Brahma or Australorp sized. You have a good point.

This was my thought as well…my Wyandottes are solidly built and weigh at least 7 lbs and their eggs are the same size as my Orpingtons! They’re also quite hardy

 

[kurby22]

I can’t say I’ve had a breed yet that I have wanted to get rid of or not consider getting again, but I do have a 3-4 breeds I’m more MEH about. While I love the eggs, my Marans are not very people friendly. They are calm, easy flock members and reliable layers, but they aren’t the “come and visit” type and act like they’re being taken off to be murdered when you have to handle them. They’re gorgeous and sweet and I love their eggs and the adorable chicks they make with Ameraucanas, but I’m not in LOVE with them. My bantam Brahmas are also lovely but not real friendly and both the rooster boys are sort of nervous beautiful weirdos. They do get along well with my flocks though, not overly aggressive or passive. My bantam Cochins are hit and miss…they are adorable but definitely the mean girl pack. One is friendly but the other two want nothing to do with anyone and sort of just boring personalities. I have one I constantly forget I own…she’s just sort of there. She isn’t even a very good broody. The rooster is easy going, crows rather infrequently and gets along with other rooster, but overall they’re just not a breed I’ve bonded with. I do still want one that’s high quality because they’re just gorgeous though

The ones that I do LOVE but may not own again are Polish. They are fragile and I got super attached and every one of my pullets died. :-( I still have one very healthy and robust rooster that my daughter loves, and a somewhat strange, sort of “seemed destined to die” but hasn’t, little frizzled Polish rooster. They are very pretty birds and not a single chicken bothers either one nor do they pick on others…but the roosters are sort of meh. I loved my pullets though and cried my eyes out when they passed. They are like silkies, gentle silly looking birds that just seem too fragile. I miss them and it makes me afraid to have more.

I adore all of my other breeds though! Orps, Wyandottes, Ameraucanas, EEs, Salmon Favs, Russian Orloff, silkies, d’Uccles, d’Anvers, and Olandsk Dwarfs. I’m especially fond of my Ameraucanas and d’Anvers…just such sweet birds and full of personality!

 

[TwoShepherds]

I'll never get another Silver Spangled Hamburg. I bought an order of chicks from a hatchery several years ago and added a hamburg to the mix because I wanted a white layer and they are so beautiful. I don't handle my birds much so I didn't think I'd care if she was flighty, but she was really fearful and wild, and didn't seem to fit in well with the rest of the flock. I'll probably not get another.

I love my Easter Eggers, so in March I ordered some B/B/S Ameraucana hatching eggs from a breeder. The pullets are gorgeous and I enjoy their personalities, but so far they are lousy layers. They are 8.5 months old and none are laying yet. Now that it's November, I assume they won't lay until the spring. Egg-laying is only medium-high on my list of priorities, but if this is typical of the breed I'll probably not get anymore. I'll keep two or three of the ones I hatched because they are fun, pretty, and I like them, but I don't think I'll breed them (which was my original plan).

 

[Silexian]

For me it would be Dominiques. I still think they are a nice looking bird. They were calm and foraged well for themselves. When allowed out in the afternoon. Their fertility level was good. Along with the chicks having nice vigor and growth. The extra roosters dressed out nicely. For their size they laid small eggs and not very many of them at all. Even with only a few hens going broody. The ones I had laid subpar, even compared to ornamental breeds and game fowl.