Which ones forage best?

[Kathy]

I have to make a decision on which breeds I'm going to get for my chickens. My first order choice was an assortment of heavy's but they were out. I need to get the order in by tomorrow night 5/29/08 if I have any chance at next weeks hatch, otherwise it will be another week.

I want them to be able to forage for some of their feed not to mention bug erradication. They will be used both for eggs & the extra roo's will be butchered.

I've had all of the above and was impressed with each breed but need to narrow it down to 50 chicks or less. The price for 10 of each breed is cheaper than under 10 price so which ones would you personally order if you were doing the ordering?

[Deleted]

I picked the Americauna/Aracuana (had these before, they forage nicley and lay those fun colored eggs), Barred Rocks (mine foage quite well), and Buff Orpingtons (have had these to... nice brown eggs).

[bbird]

Aracuana or easter eggers have done so well for us. They are great survivers for free ranging for some reason. I have a feeling its their colors.I also notice they love bugs and picking through the woods. I loveeeeee Buff Orps and Australops, great layers, great meat but not as tough about surviving on their own. We've lost some here and there to the predators but I have a feeling its because they are so tame and think everybody loves them, lol. They also require more feed, so I'm doubting they forage as well as others.

[Deleted]

I noticed that the Buff Orps ate more as well, but I always pawned it that they were a larger bird than the others. Nice brown egg layers though! (And they do tend to be a bit more broody than other breeds, a plus for me)

Kaza

[Kathy]

Thanks you guys, since everyone made such good cases for their favorite breeds-I ordered some of each!

My chicken yard will have a pretty mix of Barred Rocks, Aracauna's, Black Australorps and New Hampshires.

I want to get some Black Jersey Giants and Salmon Faveroles later on but for now, I'm happy to be get my 54 little pretties.