Which of these chickens should i get?

[SilkiesInSuburb]

Buff Brahma Bantams, D'Uccles and Polishes are very sweet from my experience. Something about banties is just so lovable. They are friendly, bear confinement, and the polishes are extravagant. Another breed you might want to consider is the sultan. They're very similar to silkies (the best breed I've ever had) and have the previous pros as well.

 

[JaeG]

I'd stick with bantams and light breeds based on what you really want (especially for the silkies sake). Heavy breeds may pick on the littlies. One of each of whatever you decide will be fine if they all grow up together. Have fun with them!

 

[tigger19687]

If you get snow and cold I would double think the feathered leg /head hens.
I had Silkies and golden laced crested Polish, LOVED them, hated how the feathers got frozen from snow and waterer.

 

[Jemma Rider]

I had hatchery Easter Eggers and Speckled Sussex and loved them! They were from Murray McMurray Hatchery. If I had the space I’d order more Speckled Sussex from them just for the eye candy and friendliness. They were so fun to have around! The EEs were good too and laid blue eggs. Unfortunately a Bobcat wiped out most of my flock a couple years ago so I don’t have them anymore.

Edited to add: I didn’t read that you already had EEs and I too don’t know what a “Snowy EE” is...
One concern I have with your list is mixing Bantams and LF. I was also told that Silkies can get picked on by other birds due to them being quite different than your average chicken. I have no experience with mixing Bantams and LF so maybe someone else can comment on that? I have only ever had LF.

That's why i wanted to get mainly bantams, because i want the silkies and don't want them to get picked on (if it doesn't work out i have a really small coop i can keep them in i just need to put on a run) and the space issues (plus they are just too adorable to pass up). There are just so many breeds, I'm having trouble choosing.

 

[Jemma Rider]

Ok, it's 4sq ft per chicken in the coop & 10q ft per chicken in the run AND we all know more space the better for flock harmony. You've got 5 now, wanting to add your 3 choices, that's 8 and you're caught up in Chicken Math

I figured bantams would need less space. Is this incorrect? If it is then i guess Ive got my choices. And my run will probably be larger before anybody moves out of the brooder.

 

[Jemma Rider]

If you get snow and cold I would double think the feathered leg /head hens.
I had Silkies and golden laced crested Polish, LOVED them, hated how the feathers got frozen from snow and waterer.

Yeah my roo has a bit of cresting and his feathers are filthy now because i had to put Vaseline on his comb for frostbite.

 

[Jemma Rider]

Barred Rock Bantam all the way! One of the better egg layers of the bantams, very hardy in heat and cold and pretty to look at. A little on the standoffish side though. She did have a prolapse this past year but she came out of that nicely. Here is Cookie:View attachment 1269364 I have more pictures somewhere.

Yeah i think one of them is going to be a barred rock. A friend has one and that chicken is what made me want my own. Thanks!

 

[keesmom]

I'm guessing you are planning to order from MPC for sexed bantams?

I haven't had bantam buff Brahmas or Orpingtons, but the LF of those breeds have been very friendly and always underfoot.

The speckled Sussex we've had have been somewhat friendly and only so-so layers.

Since you already have EEs are you sure you'd want a snowy EE too?

We always had bad luck with Polish. Either the chicks didn't do well, and the ones that did make it to maturity seemed to have something wrong with them or they were cockerels. We had one bantam buff laced Polish who developed severe scoliosis of the neck. Another lovely LF buff laced hen had a screw or 3 loose in her head. She was constantly being spooked by absolutely nothing. I tried trimming her crest to see if that would help. It only made things worse. Sometimes she was spooked enough to escape the pen. Instead of staying near the others she'd wander off. One day I found her almost in the road. Another day she was found a quarter mile away under someone's bush laying an egg. The last time she wandered off into deep snow and wasn't seen again.

I'm another that would suggest rethinking silkies in that flock. They are easily picked on.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Yup, bantams are a slightly less, think it was 3sqft in the coop, not sure about the run. I've never had bantams so haven't really paid attention.

 

[MagpieDucks]

Here is another picture of my Belgian Bearded Mille Fleur d'Uccle and Barred Rock Bantam.