Why do you have the breeds you do?

[Gray Farms]

I chose rare and heritage breeds to help conserve them. If people don't breed these birds, help others get started, help to improve other flocks, and keep them true to form they will go the way of the Dodo. People forget or don't know that there are just as many breeds of endangered livestock as there are wildlife.

 

[Shorty22366]

I have 48 chickens and 4 ducks right now will be getting 19 more in June. I pick for unique feathering and docile temperament. I love my babies and all have names. No 2 chickens just alike.

 

[TashaFrancois]

We've just had chickens for about 2 years now. I'm already 72 (or will be on Saturday ) so it was always clear that there wouldn't be too much time to experience as much of chicken raising as possible. I chose for as much diversity of appearance and eggs as I could when I was getting 3 my first year and adding 5 after that. Got 4 more coming next month. And, of course, I was also limited by what was available.

I'll never get around to all the chickens I want but I suppose life is more or less like that so why shouldn't chickens be? But it's still a pleasure to go out and care for them and collect what they provide for me. And just to see all the colors and personalities.

Mine are:
• a Cream Legbar named Lavinia
• a Partridge Plymouth Rock named Prudence
• a Double-laced Barnvelder named Eggsperanza (who's no longer with us except in spirit)
• a Blue Orpington named Ophelia and a Lavender one named Violet
• a Sicilian Buttercup named Sadie
• a Golden-laced Wyandotte named Wendolyn
• and a Black Cooper Marans roo named Monsieur Maurice

The ones that are coming are:
• a Speckled Sussex
• a female Black Copper Marans (this time! fingers crossed! )
• an Olive Egger
• and a Swedish Flower Hen
no names for this group yet...

Happy Birthday! I love your collection. I would like a bunch more to so I feel you there!

 

[FlyWheel]

None at the moment, as I'm in the process of moving, but I intend on getting Easter Eggers and a speckled Orpington.

 

[Chicksnmind]

I choose silkie and d’uccle because of their looks personality. I have one EE because I thought it would be neat to get blue eggs (it is).

I’m trying to hatch bantam Orpingtons because of their friendliness and they don’t have feathered feet.

I also have a two tiny birds which are probably serama or OEG . I bought them as adults from tack store because they are so tiny lol. They are not good egg layers at all so maybe they are older birds. One lays a white egg and the other a brown.

We don’t actually eat a lot of eggs so silkies are really good enough layers for us. My EE hardly ever misses a day so she makes up for the others.

 

[BantyChooks]

Chanteclers, Ameraucanas, and OEGB are the main breeds I have now. There's a few assorted others. The first criteria was how well they did in cold weather. After that comes temperament, laying abilities, colour, and meat qualities.

 

[IamRainey]

I chose rare and heritage breeds to help conserve them. If people don't breed these birds, help others get started, help to improve other flocks, and keep them true to form they will go the way of the Dodo. People forget or don't know that there are just as many breeds of endangered livestock as there are wildlife.

I love that idea and I have some heritage breeds. But since I only have 1 of each and no corresponding roosters there's no breeding going on. I would imagine that would require a very specific commitment to keep breeds isolated from one another. Sounds like an expensive proposition too!

Still, I'm grateful for those who do so that the biodiversity is protected. Thanks!

 

[IamRainey]

I have 48 chickens and 4 ducks right now will be getting 19 more in June. I pick for unique feathering and docile temperament. I love my babies and all have names. No 2 chickens just alike.

How on earth do you remember so many names?! I have trouble with 7 so I have to key the names to their breed or some unique characteristic.

 

[llombardo]

I had no clue about breeds--I think I did ask about cold hardy birds. I did not stick with one breed, only because I want to tell them apart..lol

So now I have a barred rock, RIR, faverolle, 2-light brahmas(which I can tell apart barely), 3-EE's(different colors), Oliver egger, cinnamon queen, jersey giant(praying not a boy), sapphire gem, silver laced polish, white crested blue polish, silver lace rooster and a leghorn rooster.

A very mixed flock. They all have their own personalities and visually I can look and see where everyone is. I will have a nice array of colors for eggs too.

 

[Gray Farms]

I love that idea and I have some heritage breeds. But since I only have 1 of each and no corresponding roosters there's no breeding going on. I would imagine that would require a very specific commitment to keep breeds isolated from one another. Sounds like an expensive proposition too!

Still, I'm grateful for those who do so that the biodiversity is protected. Thanks!

Its work but so very worth it. I have 20 separate pens in the breeder barn and 3 coops with large pens for grow outs. Record keeping is also very important.