| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| dkelewae |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 05:35:04 AM
If you could only have one breed of chicken, which would it be?
I've been doing some research for my future farm for egg chickens, and so far I like the buff orpingtons, but figured I'd ask the experts here too! I liked the fact that buff orpingtons are docile,good egg layers, and cold weather hardy.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city! |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 2:54:51 PM
What a good idea, Cyndi! I can't keep track of ours at all; the only ones I know for sure how old they are are the ones that hatched here (since they are pretty strange looking; cross breeds!).
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| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 2:37:15 PM
I have had so MANY chicken breeds over the years! They each have their good points-- and bad (some more BAD than others!), but my Favorites have been the Salmon Faverolles. They're getting harder and harder to find, but I will have more in the future. I also LOVE the Dominiques (look like smaller Barred Rocks-- but with a rose comb instead of a single) They are EXCELLENT layers (though the eggs are med. size), the hens WILL go broody, but they can rear 12-15 chicks at a time all the way to adulthood--- such excellent mothers! I never had to buy chicks at all when my flock was full of those birds!! The roosters are not mean and the hens are usually not aggressive either.
Right now I have Buffs, 1 Rhode Island Red hen, Marans (Roosters and hens-- both are kinda mean and aggressive, but the hens lay the most BEAUTIFUL eggs!) Leghorn's (CRAZY birds! Always busy, but not mean at all, though hard to contain), banty's (Millie's, Cochins, Silkies and a Blue Dutch hen.) Jersey Giants, a few mixed hens and a remnant or two of my Dominiques (hens only). I love chickens!! Can't you tell?
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| Homespun Livin |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 2:06:27 PM
I have to agree with the Buffs. Even the roos are very gentle. My dad had both Rhode Island Reds and Buffs and by far the Buffs were the most gentle. The Red hens are good, but skittish and his Red roos were mean. Ask me how I know!! Those roos looked for the opportunity to spur a person and liked to chase me for some reason.
I had some chicks given to me that were Reds, they were all hens. They laid great brown eggs, but I didn't find them to be very friendly. They didn't let us pet them at all. :(
Once a Buff roo flew over the fence from my neighbors yard and came to visit my girls. The girls didn't appreciate him being in their yard. My kids were able to feed him from their hands and he loved to be petted. Whenever I get more chickens they will definitely be Buffs.
All this to say, everybody will have their favorites and you should go with what you are comfortable with. Have fun with it! :)
"Love one another." |
| MullersLaneFarm |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 1:48:50 PM
Rocks - any color! Barred, Black, White, Buff, Red
We like getting a different color each year so we can tell how old they are.
Cyndi
Muller's Lane Farm http://www.mullerslanefarm.com
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 11:16:42 AM
I have had Banties the past 6 years..mixed flock and I love them...but really, after all the years of having chickens..my whole life..I would pick Rhode Island Reds. A great dual purpose bird, calm, friendly, good egg layers and hardy..and pretty too.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
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| dkelewae |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 08:49:25 AM
So it's not true that the Rhode Island Reds can be aggressive towards people? That's why I shyed away from them in my research.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city! |
| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 08:39:30 AM
I'd have to agree on the Rhode Island reds. Docile, fabulous egg layers even well into their second year and I've never had a problem with feather picking or cannibalism. There are sure other breeds that are prettier, like the Buffs, but I tend to stick with the tried and true for me.
Di on VI
Farmgirl Sister #73 |
| chickabella |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 08:24:23 AM
Can't pick just one! So far, I'm loving the Cubalayas. They're considered ornamental birds here in the States, but they've been using them in Cuba for years as meat & egg birds. Very sweet, tame, will walk right up to you and let you pet them.
EDIT: ah, but they're not particularly cold tolerant. Never mind!
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| gramadinah |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 07:40:46 AM
I like my rhode Island Reds. Large eggs good shells and very docile.They liked to have their back scratched.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 07:19:32 AM
Diana-I have Buff's and you are right they are everything you say and they definatly like to go broody! I also have Deleware's and absolutly love them. My Deleware's are a step above the Buff's in the attitude department, but for the most part pretty calm. I have not had a broody Deleware yet, so if you are looking to raise chicks that is a consideration. As far as egg production they are great layers of large brown eggs. I must add that my Roo is absolutly majestic!
Lillian |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 07:19:27 AM
I have buffs and love them.
Farmgirl Sister #17
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