I am trying to learn as much as I can about different breeds...the man who is going to build my coop has had various problems so he hasn't started yet...but he says he will.I am going to hold him to that.
I ordered catalogs from McMurray and got Cackle's catalog too...reading about chickens...I want a couple of Silkies..but I also want Cochins too...and Mlle Fleurs...got to have some of them...Speckled Sussex are nice, and Sultans...how on earth, do you decide?
Still Mulling...
Ideal Poultry is right there in Tx Melva
Thanks..I think! LOL!
How do you decide? First you come to the reality that you can't have them all. Next you ask yourself, what am I wanting them for? eggs, pets, color, etc. Then do a little reasearch that leads you to believe that a certain breed will fulfill your purpose for having them...Hope that helps a little...Hay
That helps...since there are going to be Bantams, eggs are not a priority...pets mainly....maybe just Silkies and Cochins...they are both friendly, calm birds, aren't they?
Both silkies and cochins are sweet and make nice pets. So do faverolles, not that it helps you choose...lol
I just hatched out 2 faverolle and 2 cochin chicks on memorial day. I bought eggs off another website and slipped them under my best broodie (she is a silkie mix, I bought her as an egg from someone here on this website some years back now)
Funny, my newest babies are Cochins and Faverolles, as well, but full sized birds. I do have banty Barred Cochins, and am currently working on a design for a house just for the two of them. They're way too easy a target for predators, which seem to be on the increase, lately.
Next to silkies faverolles are my favorite as far as friendly,although I have to say that yellow legs(her name cause she has yellow legs she is a buff rock)is my friendliest,as soon as I go near her she squats.
I'd rather have a sandwich with 3 or 4 bantam eggs than one or two large eggs! My bantams lay better than my large size. (except for my RIR) Even the Seramas lay better than the full size! LOL
There are so many that are friendly.. My all time friendliest bird was a bantam cochin hen no less! I've had many a chicken that was okay.. but she was the ultimate and made you feel like she was overjoyed to see you every time you came out.. (or anyone really)
Jab, I have a silkie/Nankin mix that is the ultimate broody.. I love the picture of yours! I bet she is the same way.. :)
I hand out eggs whenever I have a chance, but I tend to keep the banty eggs for myself, thinking "regular" people won't like them. Joe takes eggs to his favorite Mom and Pop Mexican restaurant, and sometimes they barter eggs for food. The Mom told him shyly that she really liked the little eggs best, so now I save them for her. There are always enough for me, but I'm so glad she likes them. I do use them when it's time for a potluck dinner, they are such a hit as deviled eggs:)
Favorelles...another breed to consider!
Other breeds I am thinking about...Australorps, Plymouth Rocks,and Speckled Sussex...can anyone tell me about them?
And sounds like even with Bantams I am going to have eggs to deal with...I love eggs and eat them every day. My Mother used to laugh at me because I really didn't like eggs from chickens that were allowed to free range...they tasted odd to me.I am sure I will get used to them.
I really like the Mlle Fleur, but are they one of the friendly chickens??
Great video! I have Plymouth Rocks and they are very calm and friendly with people - my favorite hen was a Barred Rock - but they may bully younger birds, especially recently introduced pullets. I have not had either of the other breeds.
Mille Fleur is actually a color/pattern, but I'm guessing you mean the Bantam Belgian d'Uccles? (sorry, youtube is out for my old 'puter).
I had some that weren't particularly friendly, but not unfreindly or flighty, either. They would probably have been better if they'd gotten more attention. My recent order (well, my neighbors, but we got them together) the one that died was a porcelain BBd'U, and the rest of the five have died since. I think much of it was the heat, but they do seem more delicate (at least as chicks) than the Silkies that were also included, and are thriving. Could have also been just a bad batch, so don't go by me.
Yes, the Belgian Bantams that is what I meant...thanks for the information...
Those Mille Fleur Belgian Bantams are really striking looking!
I think so too!