What's your favorite breed and why?

Mine is definitely cochins, mostly because of their sweet disposition, but also because of their so-cute puffy butts! :)

I like most of the standard varieties, tho, and love to keep a variety. I love the blue-green eggs of the americanas (I'm hoping to lay hands on some true araucanas one day - sp?), and I like the big chickens, like the brahmas. But hands down, cochins are definitely my favs.

Breeds I didn't care for - "tophats", specifically the polish. Mean little snots imo. I do like the rocks. Friendly, good layers, nice looking. Banty's are too fiesty for my taste. I like a chicken you can cuddle up to. :P

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brenna z6 PA on January 18, 2010 at 10:41am

Right now all my chicks are mixed breek bantams that I was given. They are all wonderful and my favorite =-)

I think I would say my favorite pure breed is also cochin. I hope to get one this year, they are really cute, and they all have great personalities.

Permalink Reply by Ronald G Maxwell z5/MI on January 26, 2010 at 1:14pm

Road Island Red has a very good personality and love to be loved. I had one that was named Lucy and she would ride on my shoulder for hours. Ron

Permalink Reply by Michele E on February 21, 2010 at 10:24am

All my hens are my favorites. I have banties, cochins, and standards - they are all sweet, but my two daughters and I used to sit and watch TV taking turns holding the different chicks, maybe that's why. I know hand-fed parrots and domestic birds are tamer when they are hand-fed (or held), so we thought to try it with the chicks...seems to work. I do favor the big Americana I have, she's the most quiet and calm hen out of all of them. On a side-note, I have 4 true auracana's which I purchased from McMurray Hatchery. I have another order of 25 "rarest of the rare laying hens" coming in 2 weeks and I bet they include more auracana hens in the batch. They have a good selection and the birds are very hearty/healthy.

Permalink Reply by Skeeter588 on February 21, 2010 at 8:29pm

That's really a cool idea! I didn't know McMurray had the true Aracaunas. I'll have to check it out again! :)

Permalink Reply by Ronald G Maxwell z5/MI on February 21, 2010 at 8:29pm

Keep us posted on what their breeds are and how they do as you raise them. I am interested in what the types of rare breeds they get for you. That is the fun part of raising your own animals. If you can take some Pics to add to your page. Ron

Michele E said:

All my hens are my favorites. I have banties, cochins, and standards - they are all sweet, but my two daughters and I used to sit and watch TV taking turns holding the different chicks, maybe that's why. I know hand-fed parrots and domestic birds are tamer when they are hand-fed (or held), so we thought to try it with the chicks...seems to work. I do favor the big Americana I have, she's the most quiet and calm hen out of all of them. On a side-note, I have 4 true auracana's which I purchased from McMurray Hatchery. I have another order of 25 "rarest of the rare laying hens" coming in 2 weeks and I bet they include more auracana hens in the batch. They have a good selection and the birds are very hearty/healthy.

Permalink Reply by Anne Chastain on March 22, 2010 at 3:46pm

I think my favorite breed is the Marans. They are one of the ancestors of the Plymouth Barred Rocks. The eggs have really dark shells and amazing flavor. The hens are good layers but not so prolific that you are overwhelmed. The roosters are my favorites, very docile and friendly. I had one who reached 12 pounds and used to sit in my lap and eat grain from my hand. He really 'ruled the roost', broke up fights between hens and used to present treats to his favorite. Another nice thing about the Maran breed is you can tell the roosters from the hens early. The hens have much darker feathers, a sex linked trait.

Permalink Reply by Julie Buck on March 22, 2010 at 4:37pm

I got some Wyandot chicks a couple of years ago. It turned out there were Silver Lace pullets and a Gold Lace Rooster. They are gorgeous, big, friendly. They lay (the hens) huge brown eggs that are thick shelled. My hens always have some oyster shell available but these eggs don't need oyster shell to have good shells. I've tried a lot of breeds but really like this one best

Permalink Reply by Kimberly White, Lombard, IL,Zn 5 on May 21, 2010 at 9:37pm

I had never heard of any breed that had a gentle rooster. This is good to know. Do you think it is typical or because of how you raised him?

Anne Chastain said:

I think my favorite breed is the Marans. They are one of the ancestors of the Plymouth Barred Rocks. The eggs have really dark shells and amazing flavor. The hens are good layers but not so prolific that you are overwhelmed. The roosters are my favorites, very docile and friendly. I had one who reached 12 pounds and used to sit in my lap and eat grain from my hand. He really 'ruled the roost', broke up fights between hens and used to present treats to his favorite. Another nice thing about the Maran breed is you can tell the roosters from the hens early. The hens have much darker feathers, a sex linked trait.

Permalink Reply by Lyn Adams, zone4-5 on May 23, 2010 at 9:11am

I like Buff's, there so calm, and fluffy looking. I also have Golden Comets, great layer. I think I'll try something different next year. Who has silverlace wyandottes , and how do you like them? This is a picture of my rooster, he's Bantam not sure what kind, but he's a great little guy.

Permalink Reply by Lyn Adams, zone4-5 on May 23, 2010 at 9:12am

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Permalink Reply by Linda D on July 7, 2010 at 6:13pm

I raise bantam Silkies,Brahams and Polish.My very favorites are the silkies.They are sweet to look at and have sweet personalities.The Brahams are also very sweet.Would love to try some bantam cochins also.

Permalink Reply by Julie Buck on July 8, 2010 at 11:46am

I have a Golden Lacy Wyandotte rooster and SIlverlace hens. They are GOOD layers, big brown eggs, lots of double yolks, nice disposition. My chickens are not pets, none of them eat from my hand or anything like that but I definitely prefer the ones that don't chase the grandkids.

Lyn Adams said:

I like Buff's, there so calm, and fluffy looking. I also have Golden Comets, great layer. I think I'll try something different next year. Who has silverlace wyandottes , and how do you like them? This is a picture of my rooster, he's Bantam not sure what kind, but he's a great little guy.