Which chickens would YOU choose?

[beddyBoom]

IMHO is go with
1 Barred rock
1 Australorp
& 2 buff Orp

Get rid of the Wyandotte for sure!

You've not had good experience with Wyandottes? Do tell!

 

[BantyChooks]

You've not had good experience with Wyandottes? Do tell!

Hatchery Wyandottes (particularly silver laced) have some repute as being cranky and bullying. However, no one breed has 100% consistent temperaments, and I'm sure some hatchery Wyandottes are just lovely. I have only had one hatchery Wyandotte and she was indeed a little brat, but that's only a single bird, not the hundreds needed to even make a generalization about a breed.

 

[beddyBoom]

Aussies are beautiful and gentle, as are Orps. Silver laced Wyandottes are stunning. I'd recommend an Aussie and your friendly BR, as well as either 2 Orps or One Orp and the SLW. We have a mixed flock of several singles, and it makes for easy identification and a varied group. Never had too much trouble if they're all the "odd one out."
Also, are roosters a problem for you? If so, you may need to wait and see who turns out to be a roo or a hen before you decide for sure.

Roos are a problem for us. Correctly stated, a problem for the city. We did order sexed pullets so am hopeful *most* of what we have are girls.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

You've not had good experience with Wyandottes? Do tell!

My cousin got a Columbia Wyandotte last year, gorgeous bird but at a year she went savage and attack’s my cousin anytime she’s within her range of aggression. I thought the same thing though. No way could it be all Wyandotte, so I went against her judgement and got three blue laced red Wyandotte. From the getgo they attacked the other chicks. Attacked me anytime I tried handling them, I tried keeping them for a month before I decided there was no way I wanted them. They made the whole batch of chicks I got slightly aggressive. I personally wanted more docile breeds that I could handle. I’ll never get a Wyandotte again.

 

[beddyBoom]

My cousin got a Columbia Wyandotte last year, gorgeous bird but at a year she went savage and attack’s my cousin anytime she’s within her range of aggression. I thought the same thing though. No way could it be all Wyandotte, so I went against her judgement and got three blue laced red Wyandotte. From the getgo they attacked the other chicks. Attacked me anytime I tried handling them, I tried keeping them for a month before I decided there was no way I wanted them. They made the whole batch of chicks I got slightly aggressive. I personally wanted more docile breeds that I could handle. I’ll never get a Wyandotte again.

Oh NOOOOO! yikes. Such a bummer.

 

[beddyBoom]

Hatchery Wyandottes (particularly silver laced) have some repute as being cranky and bullying. However, no one breed has 100% consistent temperaments, and I'm sure some hatchery Wyandottes are just lovely. I have only had one hatchery Wyandotte and she was indeed a little brat, but that's only a single bird, not the hundreds needed to even make a generalization about a breed.

I would never have expected it, but we have a brat Buff Orpington. My son - who has never been around chickens - pointed her out at week one and said "she needs to go" LOL. By week two I agreed and she was out. Temperament of the whole group seemed to change after that. I did warn the new owners but was met with "awww Buffs are always so friendly. She'll be fine." I think maybe we had little roo.

 

[BantyChooks]

I would never have expected it, but we have a brat Buff Orpington. My son - who has never been around chickens - pointed her out at week one and said "she needs to go" LOL. By week two I agreed and she was out. Temperament of the whole group seemed to change after that. I did warn the new owners but was met with "awww Buffs are always so friendly. She'll be fine." I think maybe we had little roo.

I haven't had much experience with buffs at all, but I didn't really like the hen I had either. They're not for me. I know some people love them.

 

[andreanar]

Definitely wait to see who proves to be pullets. I'm always suspicious of the "friendliest" chick! Little cockerals tend to appear as the friendliest because they don't seem as scared of people as pullets. Little cockerals seem to have more confidence. Ive always had good luck with the Australorp and Orps, Ive had 3 wyandottes at different times, 2 blrw and 1 sl, all were standoffish. My BA's have always been funny and personable. I'd keep 2 BA's and 1 Orp.

 

[flyingroosterranch]

I would do one of each, this way you can tell them apart easier, comes in handy when you need to treat them with medicine. Colorful flock and will give you a chance to see which breeds you like the best. Good luck.

 

[beddyBoom]

I would do one of each, this way you can tell them apart easier, comes in handy when you need to treat them with medicine. Colorful flock and will give you a chance to see which breeds you like the best. Good luck.

I think this is ultimately where we're going to land. Mostly because everyone in the family - despite ALL SWEARING that these are MY chickens - has a different favorite.