Chicken choices

[Kathy]

After a few years of moving around and having no chickens, I'm considering getting some chicks come spring.

Now the question is which breed? My gosh, this is just like a kid going into a candy shop and being told to only pick out a few treats.

I'd like you to tell me in your opinion what is the best and worst feature of each breed of chickens you raise.

I've always like the New Hampshires and Aracauna's but since I'm starting over, maybe it's time to try a few new breeds.

[bergere]

All I can do is enable you.

www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html#Chickens

This one is pretty good about the +/- of each breed.

www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#poultry

[Deleted]

LOL, I only know about the Brahmas, but I don't have anything bad to say about them. When I go outside, if they don't see me first and come running, I holler "CHICK-ENS!" and they all run over and stand around looking up saying "What, mommy?" All but one goes back in the coop to lay eggs, no matter where they are, and I found Persephone's little hiding place in the tall grass, so it's easy to go pick her and her egg up. The roosters are protective of the hens and Zeus ran off a hawk the other day. He was trying to get to the Cessna that flew over as well, but THAT bird left on its own! LOL! They started laying at 18 weeks (the book said 26), and I've been averaging 7 to 9 eggs every day so far (10 pullets). And I just love watching them run! LOL! They pump those little legs, and flap their wings, with their heads down. They could be football players!

Anyway, I really love 'em, and I'm so glad I chose this breed. They're also really easy to find in the tall grass and bushes because of their white. It'll be harder in the snow, I expect, but then maybe their black will give them away.

~Lannie

[Deleted]

Barred rocks, sex links are good layers as well as mothers. I like wyndottes and the araconas also. I ejoy having leghorns(lay longer during the season) They have white eggs

[Deleted]

I like a lot of breeds... RIR's, Barred Rocks, Buff Orph's... This year I think I'm gonna try Black Giants.

Kaza[/size]

[Kathy]

I like Barred Rocks & New Hampshires; they both have such nice brown eggs and gentle personalities.

[Deleted]

My very favorites are the buff orps and rhode islands...But they must be incredibly stupid because they're the first to get eaten by predators. My Americaunas are usually broody and I like that. The Austrolorps tend to be survivalists and lay ALL the time. My little Cochins are just eye candy...but lay very well and have proven to be very good mothers. The games are all very flighty and when they go, I wont' get any more. The Leghorns are just annoying... My little polish is wonderful and sweet...But it's a roo so he doesn't lay anything... I say get a variety.