Which Breed?

[chsfairy2007]

Hi, peoples. I've had chickens for 5+ years now, and I feel that I'm ready to start breeding. Out of awesome luck, I'm going to be bringing home some BLRW chicks from great lines (Sterling Center) later on this month. I plan on acquiring some more quality stock, and eventually raise some nice birds. Even though I will be breeding and showing BLRWs in the future, they are not APA recognized. So, I'm looking for one more (just one! LOL) breed to raise, and I need some help in this decision. I can't do it alone! :O

Here are some of the requirements I'd like for the breed to meet:

APA Recognized

I'm all about bio-diversity, so I'd like for the breed to be rare, but not too rare, as in, reasonably obtainable. Also, I already checked out the ALBC website, but I heard that it's rating of rare breeds is based on hatchery populations, so I wanted to see what BYCers thought.

Gorgeousness.

Average or higher laying ability.

Docile/calm temperament. Not flighty (my mother has a phobia of birds, though she is fine with chickens - until they starting flapping their wings).

I'd prefer LF, but I am still open to Bantam suggestions.

That's about it. I really appreciate any help! Oh, and please note that I'm not doing this any time soon, probably next year or even later. I just want some great ideas to mull over in my head until I am ready to purchase another breed.

Thanks in advance,

Katie

 

[cybercat]

Katie,

I think you have some great choices in what you already have. They show bird of Columbin Rocks are rare and even show RIR are rare. Actually rose comb RIR might be the way to go if you want something a bit more rare on the RIR. You can find them and it is not extremly hard but not real easy either. Check the club of the breeds you can usually find a breeder that can send you eggs.

BTW top breeders of wyandottes have real hard time breeding BLRW. They haveto have other colors to do it to keep them in good color and them comb are a problems ect. They have a yahoo list for them so you might want to look that up before taking on that real hard project.

 

[chsfairy2007]

Thanks, cybercat. I really like those suggestions. I had originally ruled out RIRs, because one of my books warned that the roos could be aggressive. I've only had hens. Is that true for all RIR roos or is it just strain specific?

And, thanks a lot for letting me now that BLRWs are hard. I don't want a hard project just yet. I'm not ready for that. I was just offered these chicks a few days ago from a local, so I haven't done my research. That project might just be put on the back burner. Thanks, again.

What about the rarity of Australorp and Ameracauna show birds? These are the two are breeds I have that I'm most taken with.

 

[cybercat]

On the roos it can be either/or but I also think lines and breeding Plus how you handle them is just as impotant. Too many people try to make pets of roos and get into trouble from that in that the roos attack. Do a search on BYC about roos. One of the threads has some great info on how to raise roos right without problems. We have a member here that gives that info on her BYC page. Well, worth reading and saving and following to help you train your roos right.

To do the search just use the word roo and then put the crtiriea as Topic only not topic and message.

Black Autralorps are not considered rare but the blue and white are but there again I am not sure they are excepted into the standard. True from a good breeder Ameraucana are rare. One must be very careful when buying these for many people think they have real ones and they are hatchery EEs. There are only I think 6 colors allowed for them. There is alot of info here on them plus they have a club web site that will answer all your questions on them.