What's Your Favorite Breed of Chicken?

I currently have some Delaware hens, butchered all the roosters, as they are the meanest things I've ever seen. They are coming into lay and look like they will make nice layers. But I want another breed. I also have a few Americanas that lay colored eggs, I have 5 hens and one rooster. They are calm, friendly birds. They are starting to lay and the colored eggs are fun. Then I have some red sex links, awesome layers!
I have one Silver Laced Wyandotte that is 4 years old and she just gets to hang out in her old age.

So I am looking for another breed, considering the black Australorps. The ones I've met are large, friendly and lay big brown eggs.

My chickens get to free range and are protected by our dogs. We have hawks, the occasional eagle, coyotes and other people's dogs. We are fencing our 8 acres in 2 inch by 4 inch non climb horse wire, that is 4 feet tall. Practically nothing can get through it. Although 2 deer does managed to stash their fawns in with the horses (no dogs in there) all summer.

What are your favorite breeds and why?

 

Kentucky Fried

 

Stuffed

 

Columbian Blacktail hydrids are reliable and very productive layers. We now prefer to have a couple of these but also a couple of other hybrids for a bit of variety.

 

Total newb but.. My coop came today (supposed to have been yesterday) but no chooks yet.. I'm planning on getting 2 silkies this weekend, one each for the kids to try and entice them, 2 Rhodes that are close by and I did fancy getting a Poland for myself. I love the look on wyandottes too. Been advised to get marrans or warrens as my firsts.. oh and I've signed up for 2 rescue hens for the 14th Jan.. Oops. Might need another coop

 

We have Favorlles , silke tops , brahma 13 in all

 

Garlic and herb.

 

Ah, did I forget to mention chicken maths? Addition!!

I loved my Gold Crested Polish Bantam. Po would sit on my shoulder as I walked around the garden and natter away in my ear. She was a darling!


For coloured eggs, my favourite breed is the Cream Legbar. A lovely breed, lays regularly through the season (pale blue eggs) and isn't prone to going broody ever 5 minutes! This is my Cream Legbar, "Fogherty" (taken 2014)

 

Addition or addiction?

Oh my days, bloody gorgeous. A lady from west wales has contacted me about crested polish.. you might have swayed me!

Excuse me.. I'm a bit too excited. Just finished putting the coop together (cancelled the other and got this one instead) and postie/fed ex has dropped off bedding, feeder and drinker, diatom, apple cider vinegar.. waiting on purple spray

 

@"M" While I love to walk round the poultry section at the country shows, I have never seen a "Polish" before!
What a beautiful bird . . .

 

Good advice.

 

I'm eggcited for you too!!! Love the coop (remember to re-enforce the bottom of that nest box section ). Next pix ... HENS!!!!

Thank you. Aren't they just! Not huge layers though, but who cares when their looks and personalities make up for anything lacking in the egg department It's lovely to see feathers on their heads as opposed to a fleshy comb or the overlarge floppy comb of a Cream Legbar They come in other colours too. Originally, I had hoped to get one which had black feathers but a white "hat" ... one look at Po was enough to swing me to the Gold Crested though.

 

Got Wheaten Marans , friendly birds & they lay a beautiful dark brown egg.