- Jun 8, 2011
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I have too many chickens to count.. literally.. I think it's in the 60ish range with all this years chicks and roos. I'll be downsizing in the fall. My first priority was Heritage breeds who were good layers, no sex links, pretty was a plus, but no "foofy" types such as Frizzles and Silkies... My best layers have been my Australorps and New Hampshire reds, none of my reds have been aggressive as some others have mentioned. The friendliest and most inquisitive have been my Speckled Sussex, my favorite all around have been my Welsummers, who are friendly, great foragers and lay a beautiful egg. A close second is my Barnevelders, simply GORGEOUS birds and so sweet. I have Easter Eggers and Wyandottes to round out the flock. plus some Blue Orpingtons (pretty, not great layers...did I mention they were pretty? lol). The ones I have not liked were Leghorns (WAY too flighty), Buff Orpingtons (have tried, and tried with them... I want to like them, but they're not very productive and seem to have a penchant to be egg eaters) and Salmon Favorelles (too timid for large, mixed flock). I 've had two Brahmas, the Buff ate all the time and didnt' lay, plus had no personality, so she was rehomed. I have a dark brahma pullet this year and she's a really nice, friendly bird. I really hope she lays well. This year in addition to the laying birds, I"ve branched out into Black Copper Marans (gorgeous eggs, not so great layers) ,Olive Eggers and real Blue/Black/Splash Ameracaunas. My plan for next year is to sell eggs and chicks that are BBS Ameracaunas and BBS Olive Eggers, while keeping my laying flock. I thought I'd branch out into bantams, I have some Mille Fleur D'Uccles, but I'm just not feeling it with them, too much work to keep them separate from the others, I'm looking to rehome them.
What I haven't had yet, that I'd like... Buckeyes, Dominiques, Delawares, Cochins, more fun varieties of the Marans and Ameracaunas probably.
What I haven't had yet, that I'd like... Buckeyes, Dominiques, Delawares, Cochins, more fun varieties of the Marans and Ameracaunas probably.
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