What's Your Single Breed Flock and Why

[thecatumbrella]

I too have a mixed flock, but was considering moving to Bielefelders for the following reasons:
They do well in my set up (coop and run, no free range)
They lay large/extra large eggs
They are social and people friendly
They are auto-sexing, should I decide to hatch. (This is what drew me to trying them.)

The only downside I knew of going in was that they ate a lot, being a big bird. The big bird part would be a plus should I ever use them for meat.

Well... Things have not gone as well as I'd hoped. The birds are very nice, fit well with my flock, do well in my set up. But of four Bielefelders, they have had the MOST health issues and laid the fewest eggs.

Sunny, one my favorites, died suddenly and for no known reason (I'm going to guess it was a heart attack). Pip, another one of my favorites, had coccidiosis (it happens), salpingitis (related? don't know), but lived 15 months after her first lash egg. Robin has spurs and stopped laying months ago; not sure what is going on with her, as she is otherwise fine. Squeak has had thin shell issues, stopped laying months ago too, and is molting, so she's done laying until spring.

When I get more chicks, sad to say, it won't be Bielefelders. They are lovely, friendly, and two of them have broken my heart this year.

I was actually going to message you today asking how your Bielefelders were doing. It's one of the breeds we've considered for a flock restart, since I knew yours were friendly and handled confinement well. I'm so saddened to hear about the health issues. You're not the first person I've heard this from. I don't know if it's size related or if the hatchery stock is just really weak. That's absolutely heartbreaking, and I don't blame you for wanting to move on from the breed.

 

[Sally PB]

I was actually going to message you today asking how your Bielefelders were doing. It's one of the breeds we've considered for a flock restart, since I knew yours were friendly and handled confinement well. I'm so saddened to hear about the health issues. You're not the first person I've heard this from. I don't know if it's size related or if the hatchery stock is just really weak. That's absolutely heartbreaking, and I don't blame you for wanting to move on from the breed.

If I had room for a flock of 20, I absolutely would get them again, and give them another try. Since my space supports only 12, max -- and I feel that is too many -- I will go with what has been a better fit.

I don't know if I should order Australorps from Mt. Healthy, where I got my Bielefelders (and one blue Australorp), or get just black Aussies from TSC, which is where I got mine, 5+ years ago.

I had a great experience with ordering/receiving chicks through the mail with Mt. Healthy. I'm not blaming them for the health of the birds. I think you might be right that the Bielefelder stock available in this country isn't the most robust. My blue Aussie from them is doing fine, and was one of the best layers I ever had.

 

[ChickenChick46]

Right now I've got a mixed flock of 15 bantams, which I absolutely adore. But for my standard flock, I'll have Orpingtons. BBS, specifically. Two of my closest friends have Orpingtons, and they're wonderful birds. They lay consistently, and they're docile and friendly. Even the standoffish ones are by no means aggressive.

I'm getting 3 females and a male next week, and I plan to buy more in the spring, all female. Or possibly straight run and sell the males, if I go with a lady locally instead of ordering, which I'm leaving more towards every day. But I digress, I'm sorry! Single breed LF flock will be Orpingtons!

 

[thecatumbrella]

I don't know if I should order Australorps from Mt. Healthy, where I got my Bielefelders (and one blue Australorp), or get just black Aussies from TSC, which is where I got mine, 5+ years ago.

My two Australorps were from Mt Healthy. Not a meaningful sample size, but both were very friendly compared to my other breeds. They did end up a bit bossy at point of lay. Also, there was no consistency in their sizing (if that matters). One was super svelte, almost like an egger. The other was massive.

I appreciate this thread, @jxp! Trying to decide between uni-flock or singles right now. It's a tough choice.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I have a mixed flock, by far my favorite breed I've raised are sapphire gems. Hybrid, rather

Cubalaya in standard and bantam size. They’ve been my favorites for 25+ years. I’ve had almost all the color varieties out there.
Here are several examples:
Bantam rooster.View attachment 4220905
Bantam rooster:
View attachment 4220909
Bantam rooster:
View attachment 4220911
Standard rooster:View attachment 4220912
Standard rooster:View attachment 4220913
Standard rooster:View attachment 4220914
Standard hen:
View attachment 4220915
Standard rooster:View attachment 4220916
Standard chicks:View attachment 4220917
Standard rooster, odd color:View attachment 4220922
Bantam pair:View attachment 4220923

Troyer, your birds are so beautiful I can't get over it! I just keep on scrolling over the pics staring at each individual chicken. Cubalayas have such a cool look to them.

 

[jxp]

Hard pressed between RIRs or BAR RKS. Grandmom had these and I like they are big, single comb, sturdy, reliable, heat and cold tolerant all American birds. Now have BLK AUS. Next spring back to BAR RKS.

What is BLK (black?), BAR (barred?), RKS (not even a guess) please? I know RIR is of course Rhode Island Red and I deduce from your screen name that AUS is Australorp but that's as far as I got.

 

[jxp]

I appreciate this thread, @jxp! Trying to decide between uni-flock or singles right now. It's a tough choice.

You're very welcome.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What is BLK (black?), BAR (barred?), RKS (not even a guess) please? I know RIR is of course Rhode Island Red and I deduce from your screen name that AUS is Australorp but that's as far as I got.

I thought BAR RKS might be BARred RocKS...

 

[BigBlueHen53]

BTW, I got a giggle out of your screen name, @5Australorpasaures. I would have added another -es at the end to make it plural, I think ...

 

[troyer]

I have a mixed flock, by far my favorite breed I've raised are sapphire gems. Hybrid, rather

I’ve never had Sapphire Gems, I’ve heard a lot of good about them.

Troyer, your birds are so beautiful I can't get over it! I just keep on scrolling over the pics staring at each individual chicken. Cubalayas have such a cool look to them.

Thanks. I sure enjoy them.