Why do you choose the breeds you have?

[yotetrapper]

I chose mine for a variety of reasons. First consideration was eggs, then looks. I like a pretty chicken. I also consider winter hardiness (if I heated my coop it would end in divorce, lol) and is why I lean towards rose combed (or pea combed) varieties like wyandottes, RC rhode islands, and EEs. I do have straight combed orpingtons in several colors, because to me, orpingtons signify all a chicken should be. Big, calm, gentle, good egg layers that will go broody. Meat generally isn't a consideration, as I raise cornsh X just for meat, but I do like a bigger chicken so that the extra roos are worth eating. I don't do bantams much but do have some just for the cuteness factor, but they make up less than 5% of my flock.

However, bantam eggs are about ALL we eat. What I dont sell for hatching of the standard eggs, I sell locally for eating, leaving us only with bantam eggs. 3 bantam eggs equals 2 standard.
I dont however, bother cleaning banties for meat.

Quail I keep for meat and eggs. Cortunix quail eggs have the best taste of any egg I've ever ate, and for over easy eggs are SO worth the time it takes to crack them!

 

[math ace]

I am all about the eggs - - - I choose breeds that lay large eggs frequently.

Since these are pets too, I chose birds that were friendly too.

I have :

EE's
Marans
leghorns
wyandottes
partridge rocks
welsummers
and Speckled sussex.

The last 3 breeds are young chicks. The first three are at laying age. Eventually - - - based on egg production and personality - - I will narrow it down to ONLY 2 - 3 breeds.

My favorites so far are - - MARANS.

 

[pdsavage]

I use to have all kinds of diffrent breeds and sizes,then I went with just Sussex.They have a great personality and are dual purpose.

 

[hearthnsoul]

IMpatience,...beggars can't be choosers. I got the chicks from a feed store, didn't even know enough then what was what,..still don't

, but I have illusions,..give me two of those, two of those and three of those,..ahem. I lucked out with the EE, first time I saw a blue egg it was whooo hooo. The ducks,..I sooo wanted Pekins,..hadn't a clue where one would get ducks,..so I found a guy on craigslist and wala I have mutts,..love em, but sure would have liked at least one pekin full blood in the batch. I was a bit more diligent on the goat choices. Of course the pygmy was OMG she is so cute

 

[Illia]

My Wyandottes, Brahmas, Easter Eggers, Polish, and New Hampshire were my mom's idea when she first ordered from a hatchery. Of course, I too would have gotten the Brahmas, Easter Eggers, and Polish.

The Ameraucanas I got because I wanted real Ameraucanas - Something pretty, uncommon, a challenge, and something to give me nice colored eggs, wether it be blue-greenish color or a nice true blue.

The Marans I chose because I once found an article written by a BYCer here about the need of critique on their eggs - They had white eggs, brown eggs, Cuckoo Marans eggs, then. . . The Black Copper Marans eggs.

I fell head over heels in love with such a dark egg, and once I purchased my first BCM chicks - I fell in love with the size and posture of the breed it self as well. So of course, that too is a very fun challenge for me to work on - bird AND egg.

The Araucanas I have because they were what I was originally hoping, ignorantly, to get from a hatchery. Finding only Easter Eggers then learning the difference, I was still crazy to get such a unique, rare, and challenging breed. They're so pretty and so neat, plus their eggs (at the beginning of the cycle) are such beauties. Again, a challenge well worth the work on.

The Jersey Giants we got because I LOVE huge chickens, and they're also an uncommon breed. The daddy to my chicks especially is a gorgeous looker!

The new Polish I purchased because I have been in absolute love of Tolbunt Polish ever since I first saw a picture of one from the UK. . . But for the longest time I thought, like many breeds, they were only available in the UK. Once I found some here, and for a hefty price. . . I really didn't care for such a price. I tried my hardest looking up and down for breeders willing to sell or auction, I tried at the auctions, I asked around, then I finally found my dozen eggs. On this day, they're in lockdown, and I am SOOO nervously excited to see them hatch on Sunday.

 

[gryeyes]

I wanted chickens for the free fertilizer, since I had started raised bed gardening. I thought it would be nifty to have my own eggs, too. I only wanted chicken-y chickens, but not just scrawny layers. No poofy, poodle-like not-chickens, either. So I started researching dual-purpose breeds. My first choices were the traditional RIR and Plymouth Barred Rocks, and I asked lots of questions at the feed store where there were at least 15 different breeds represented, separated into "rooster" and "hen" chicks in different bins. Light Brahma was the next breed suggested by the employee, then the Sex-links (black and gold - I chose black) and then he mentioned Amereucana - green eggs!

Green eggs? Well, golly, I'm a fan of Dr. Seuss, so of course I needed to get one of those hens!

Oh, I knew I would name them, and never eat them, so I also decided to get all different kinds, otherwise I'd never be able to tell Rhoda from Rhoda from Rhoda or Rhoda, or even Rhoda if I had a flock of RIR hens. I was a new chicken keeper, after all, and didn't realize I WOULD be able to tell them apart. Then I bought two laying hens from another BYCer who was down-sizing her flock, before mine started to lay, and they were both Gold Lakenvelders. I learned to tell Minerva from Millicent. But I do love my colorful flock of big, hearty hens, and the colorful eggs they lay. But learning the Lakenvelders were an endangered breed made me research heritage breeds.

I started deciding what chicks I wanted this season by what *I* want, not what a feed store employee suggests. And I've picked up some pairs of chicks (the same breed) because I'm no longer afraid I couldn't tell them apart.

I decided I wanted a cochin, next. Yes, not exactly the most chicken-y of chickens, but I really liked what I heard and read about their personalities and temperament. I got excited at seeing some available on Craigslist, drove to the farm, ooohed and ahhed and bought a pair of those, even though - ahem! - they were bantams. (I didn't notice that on the Craigslist ad.) And then the feed store had some bantams, but not any cochins. It did have Silver and Gold Sebrights, though.... straight run, not sexed. I picked up a pair of those.

So, for the most part, my flock is comprised of regular chickens of a variety of breeds, with a smattering of banties thrown in. I can hardly wait for the bantam chicks to be old enough to add to the flock....

 

[Delighted]

WOW! So many wonderful replies! I want to answer every one! But I bet my chickens can type faster in their hunt-n-peck, than I can! LOL!

And thanks a lot! Just thanks a lot! dagnabbit!!! Now I want them all!

To popcornpuppy, Ya know, that's a good question you asked--what would i consider a pretty chicken--I think my Buff Orpingtons are beautiful! And I love RIRs and OH MY!! the Barred Rocks! I want a flock of them! I guess I oughta say "Frilly" when I'm talking about the fluffy-headed ones, puffy hair, downy legs--I love them too!


The colorful egg basket is really appealing to me--I've only seen greenish eggs and brown eggs in person--thankfully, a lot of you post pics of the dark brown eggs and your blue eggs--I haven't seen the pink eggs or olive. I bet they are really pretty!

Do ya keep all breeds separate or togther? I guess that sorta depends on if you are breeding and don't want mutts?


DTchickens, your game fowl seem really awesome! I didn't know that they were thought of as vicious--yours surely don't sound like they are--I love the breed that act like dogs! too cool! I didn't know you need a lot of room for game fowl, though.


I have to stop now, cuz i have company coming to see my new chicks-- they have a two yr old and three yr old-- both implulsive kids, so I hafta go get ready for them! (lock the brooder, etc!

)

 

[Illia]

Quote:
All my breeds are together for hens, but the roosters, once they're 4-5 months old, are separated into their own bachelor pad until I need to use them.

This prevents crossbreeding and allows me to know what eggs have been fertilized and laid by who.

Once my Tolbunt Polish hatch, though, they'll be entirely separate from everyone else, and the roos and hens will be together. Also, I'll introduce a Gold Laced and Silver Laced Polish with them for some projects to work on.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Quote:
I love Guineas! They are especially great for eating ticks. After we got the Guineas, we're experiencing only 10% or less of the ticks we used to have. We used to have to get Frontline for the dogs, but don't anymore. The Guineas range all over our farm, especially on the 100 or so acres nearest the house ('cause we raised them right next to the house). They are excellent in the garden too! My brother throws a little bit of corn in the garden now and then to attract them into the garden. He's noticed significantly fewer pests on the plants. Guineas are very gentle to the plants, unlike chickens. They can fend for themselves much better than chickens. Our Guineas also roost in trees overnight, and free-range during the day. Once their old enough to fend for themselves (4-5 months), they are practically zero maintenance. We give them corn when there's snow on the ground, and that's about it. As far as the noise goes, they can definitely be LOUD! The MALES are the noisiest by far. The females are pretty noisy though, too. We don't mind the noise too much, but if our farm were smaller, or we had nearby neighbors, then it'd be more of a problem.

 

[Delighted]

Okay, I'm ba-a-a-aack!! The visiting little ones didn't harm my chickies! I was most worried about the two-yr old, becuase she's impulsive and fearless--I could just picture her SQUEEZING my lil peepers. Thankfully, she's NOT fearless--she was afraid of the chicks! So we survived that visit and we don't have any other friends who have such young kids! hehehe!

Kelseygirl707, I laughed when you said you chose Polish cuz they make you giggle-- that's rge reason I want some!

I can just see myself if I went to some big hatchery--or even farm supply store that has a variety of chicks. . .
Walking by each pen with the type written on the front, pointing; "Want it, want it, got it, want that one, too, need three of those, oh, darn, lemme go back and get some companions for the earlier ones. . . " I'd be dangerous!

And I *SAY* I want some of these birds for meat--yeah, I do, but now that I have a few, I can't picture myself eating any of them! Well, except for the mean ole rooster-- we call him "Broth" (His brothers are "Dumpling, Stew, and Pot Pie!) They're all old and grumpy! LOL!

Cloverleaf Farm , Yeah I did ask for it! DARN IT! Now I want Faverolles, too! I like the thought of docile roosters! and eggs in the winter. And i especially like your thinking that bantams taking up more space so you can have more--Ohhhh yeahhh!