tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885823206913763143.post7563595817958852493..comments2017-08-29T23:40:46.330-07:00Comments on Down by the Creek: Choosing chicken breedsFarming Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17938675746905624146noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885823206913763143.post-20243979950926582922011-07-20T15:09:48.426-07:002011-07-20T15:09:48.426-07:00How adorable! I hope to get chickens one day. :) ...How adorable! I hope to get chickens one day. :) <br /><br />LynnHomesteading Chichttp://homesteading-chic.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885823206913763143.post-50271508645015843812011-07-20T13:46:48.217-07:002011-07-20T13:46:48.217-07:00Thanks megan for the info on the ancona's, its...Thanks megan for the info on the ancona's, its definitely relieving to hear about the cold temps, I'm getting really attached to those two! I'll have to keep them & our hunting dogs well apart from each other if they start flying around outside of their run though! :)Farming Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938675746905624146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885823206913763143.post-78174154931659875112011-07-19T05:07:09.426-07:002011-07-19T05:07:09.426-07:00I have anconas. They do just fine in super cold wi...I have anconas. They do just fine in super cold winter temps. They are supposed to be non-broody, but I have one hen who is broody more often than not. They started laying early, and in the middle of february; they don't seem to have a winter slow down in egg production, though they quit while molting, and often all quit when that one hen goes broody. They still lay at around 3 years old. After three years, they are still skittish - one just panicked and flew out of the coop over my head and was "free range" for four days. I live in the city; birds are not legal to free range. She did just fine out in the wild, so they are good foragers. They can fly like a grouse, however.meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10064483599165161879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885823206913763143.post-65809277602813191372011-07-18T21:48:11.801-07:002011-07-18T21:48:11.801-07:00Quinn - good idea on the production breeds for the...Quinn - good idea on the production breeds for the winter, I'll have to look into those for our next chicks! I'm glad to hear yours do fine in warm temps, those are some of the breeds I'm most excited for, and thanks for the tip on the wyandottes as we don't have a top on our outdoor run (yet!).<br />Daisy - thanks!<br />Megan - thanks for the tip on the dominiques, they sound like the sort of breed that would work out well here.<br />Patti - glad you found it helpful! Have fun researching and planning for your chicks!Farming Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938675746905624146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885823206913763143.post-44606695439863189902011-07-18T19:12:06.768-07:002011-07-18T19:12:06.768-07:00Cute chicks and good information. I hope to have c...Cute chicks and good information. I hope to have chickens one day so right now I'm busy researching so I really enjoyed your post. Thanks!Lace up and Walkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17143556081356821588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885823206913763143.post-33219255659853770452011-07-18T18:30:05.111-07:002011-07-18T18:30:05.111-07:00You should really consider Dominiques! They are th...You should really consider Dominiques! They are the oldest American breed a dual-purpose breed, and are VERY hardy and excellent foragers. They forage so well that in the summer they barely eat any feed at all. Good layers too. They have good dispositions and are very curious. I think you would be very pleased with the breed but make sure you find a reputable breeder- too many folks confuse them with Barred Rocks. Good luck!Megan @ Restoring the Roosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665496470363819971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885823206913763143.post-54746395499906838642011-07-18T09:58:27.497-07:002011-07-18T09:58:27.497-07:00Oh, they are all so adorable! I love the way you&...Oh, they are all so adorable! I love the way you're approaching the bird raising with such practicality. Enjoy your brood!daisy ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885823206913763143.post-53857917146134650012011-07-18T09:43:14.420-07:002011-07-18T09:43:14.420-07:00Of what you're raising, we own/owned the Buff ...Of what you're raising, we own/owned the Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, Speckled Sussex, & Silver Laced Wyandottes. Our temperature extremes aren't quite what yours are, but we do go sub-zero in winter and mid-90's in summer, and these gals have all done just fine. I find though that the heritage breeds are more apt to quit laying in the colder weather than a production breed like Gold Comets or Black Stars, so I like to keep a couple around so I get at least an egg or two in the worst weather.<br /><br />Sussex are our favorites, beautiful and friendly and their eggs are a pinky-brown and the Barred Rocks are wonderful too. The only thing you may need to watch out for is the Wyandottes are FLIGHTY! The clear our fence with ease and are often seen roosting high up in the barn. We resorted to wing clipping to contain them. <br /><br />Congrats on your new gals!! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04180289951777672150noreply@blogger.com