We are moving and I want some chickens again. I used to have barred rocks, a couple of rhode island reds, and a few crosses of the two. These are the only breeds I have ever had.
I would like to have some maybe different chickens for:
1. Good egg production
2. No white ones (they get too dirty looking)
3. Not with a genetic lean toward being "mean"
4. Good for eating
5. Neat would be a plus
6. Can withstand a zone 7b-8 climate
Suggestions anyone???
Thank!!
Deb
What kind?
orpingtons have been fantastic for me, i have a white rock and black rocks as well(sexlink) but the blue and buff orpingtons have been the most pleasant, quiet, and productive.. the rocks get noisy.
Buff Orpingtons are friendly and good layers, they tend to be a bit talkative - if that's a problem. I also like the Jersey Giants. Both breeds eat quite a lot as they are large, not as economical as some. But they are calm, people oriented, and not aggressive with other chickens.
Thanks one good idea!!
Oh...by "neat", I meant "different'. I like the buffs.
deb
I have never heard of a Jersey Giant! Will have to look that one up!
Thanks!!
debbie
Wyandottes. Combs are close to the head and therefore I've not had a problem with frostbite. Big birds.
To of the best for your region, would be Austrolorps, clean, quiet, one of the best layers around. Great on the table also. Second would be buckeyes, wonderful bird and cold, hot, climate not a problem. At least look into them. I am sure you would be pleased with both breeds. Good luck Haystack.
I agree with Haystack...not that the others aren't great! But Australorps are the quietest birds I've owned.
The Buff Orpingtons were very friendly and interactive with people, but they were also the loudest when they laid an egg. Buckeyes are also great and will mouse for you! Jerseys are sweethearts...but they seemed slower to mature. I had a Silver Wyandotte roo who was very nice too.
The Henderson Chicken Breed Chart is helpful--but sometimes it depends on the strain of a given breed. Almost every breed has nice individuals and not so nice individuals.
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html
ok i have to ask... how does a chicken MOUSE? Do you mean they catch mice? or is there another meaning to this word?
This is a helpful thread. I wish to add to my flock this spring but i am not sure yet what I want.
Yes, some chickens will chase and eat mice. Buckeyes are famous for it.
Thanks Catscan, i thought that's what you meant but i wasn't sure.... my RIR's would hunt mice better than my cats. I'll have to look up Buckeyes. I've never heard of that breed.
I have a Buff Orpington who catches frogs...perhaps all that's left after the barn cats have hunted. (?)
I had some Silverlaced Wyandottes and they were downright mean. They heckled our young chicks a couple of years ago, pecked at them, and wouldn't let them eat. Many of them died due to failure to thrive as a result. We had to set up a whole new system for raising chicks that involved keeping them separate until they were almost full-sized, because of that. I would never have them again!
Most of my hens are rather inhospitable when it comes to introducing new chicks. The Barred Rocks have been the worst, the Orpingtons the sweetest. I always keep the chicks separate until they are 3 - 4 months old.
WOW!! I didn't know that chickens would catch mice! That would be neat! I know there are house mice as well as plenty of voles over there. Nice here in the forest...no house mice...just white-footed woodland ones. I have been telling my husband about all of the info I am getting here. He told me write it all down and not lose it. He was supprised when I told him the info would all be stored here in this thread. Thanks for the link. Can't check it out now...have to fix dinner..but TY!!
Debbie
I checked into the buckeyes and im gonna get a few to try out.From all i have read they are listed as endangerd so i like the idea of adding them and keeping them going.Im going to order some as soon as they are availble again i think he told me april so I will keep ya posted when i get them and i will post pics.I think im also going to order some of the black morans.I have been reserching them also and it seems cockoo is availble everywhere but the blacks are a little harder to find.Right now we have both black and blue cochens sometimes we get a spangled out of the ones we have.We also have both bantam and standard game birds in the black breasted red color,Buff bearded polish(Standard size) Barred rock,White rock,Americauna and silkies.We also have the mystery chickens.I looked a little closer at the eggs from them tonight and I would say they are med size the color and shape of a cochin egg so mabie they are mixed with cochin.I plan on adding Marans,jungle fowl,Light Brahma and Buckeye this year if my hunny will let me get away with it and if we get those new pens built giggle.
bantam black breasted red game birds
polish hen,barred rock,white rock
