We raised all kinds of birds when we had our ranch. Our son was a chicken mogul at age 9. Sold eggs to all of the nurses I worked with. And he could manage big incubators and hatchers like a pro. We raised not only chickens, we had bobwhite quail, chuckers, many different types of pheasants, and also had white ducks, guineas and peacocks. Even a turkey named Pricilla! You are so right about their different personalities. Chuckers are the most curious, quail are skittish, ducks are a riot. Guineas are like having a security detail, you know when something is up. Also had horses and other farm animals. It was great fun when our kids were growing up. Miss it sometimes, but now that we are older, we just worry about the garden. Great memories though. Love seeing your girls.🐓
I'm with Lynn. I'll never have chickens of my own. But I always enjoy a good chicken update! And of coarse, that coop you've got goin' on Bryan! Well, that's to die for! I actually wouldn't mind having chickens. But only if somebody else takes care of them! That sounds pretty cold, doesn't it! Pffffthhh 👅💦 I would enjoy watching them parade through my yard, a few times a week. Scratching up leaves & eating bugs & fertilizing as they go! Those are nice qualities in a visitor! I wouldn't even mind setting up a few small fences to keep them from destroying some of my plants. Plus, eggs are a very😊 nice bonus! I think I would like the blue eggs the best... And I do enjoy watching actual chickens, as I often do here on You Tube! My biggest excuse for not having chickens of my own is that I have rheumatoid arthritis and so my hands don't really open all the way anymore. Which means I wouldn't be able to pick the chickens up. I'm pretty sure picking them up is a requirement in caring for them! But honestly, the REAL reason is that, in person, those chicken feet, (& the beaks too) they kinda skeeve me out! 🫣 However... After watching chickens on various You Tube Channels for years now, I really wouldn't mind having a few chickens hanging around! (Y'all are talking me into it by osmosis!!) I've often fantasized about sharing some chickens with my next door neighbor! Now THAT would be the perfect scenario for me! Blue Eggs & Ham, yes please, Sam I Am! Ans the best part- I could send their lil' feet running home every evening! 🤭
I'm getting some chickens this week. Hopefully the farm store has some of those white leghorns!...tho i would love to have the more chill/friendly chickens that let you pick them up
I have a small flock of 4 of Buff Orpingtons. I live in an area where my county dictates a limit of 4 chickens or I would have more! I chose one breed because of their clam and friendly temperament and because I wanted a level harmony in the flock. I handled them a lot when they were chicks and have been rewarded with super friendly girls. They follow me everywhere, while I’m gardening or just hanging out in the yard. They interact with me and love to sit in my lap and sometimes take a snooze. They have a calming therapeutic effect on me too. They cruise around the yard in a never ending pursuit of bugs. The best organic pesticide ever! They are my top pick breed.
As a chicken wanter this filled my heart and made me smile. I can't have chickens, I live in a tiny house with a tiny garden. For one, I wouldn't be allowed to have one in my garden and it's so small I couldn't stop the chickens treating my meagre space as a buffet. But it was a pleasure seeing your girls and all the different ones that make up egg harvest.
My favorite breed is Buff Orpington. I had three Buff Orpington, three black Austrolorps and three Barred Rocks. The Buffs were so fun. One especially liked me and ran to each end of the chicken run when I walked by. The three Buffs always were up front in the flock to greet me when in went into the run to freed them or clean. So cute. The Barred Rocks were fun too. The Black Austrolorps were the most fragile. I lost one to a flu and one to exposure. For some reason, she didn’t stay in the coop during an especially bad storm.
I currently have 33 chickens, 30 ducks, 2 geese, 2 pigs, 2 cows (each with a calf). I love all my different chickens for different reasons. When I first started with chickens I just got what I liked but soon learned that aerial predators, color matters. Once that lesson was learned I focused on black chickens. Hawks are less likely to bother black chickens because from the air, they resemble crows and crows will attack hawks. I bought Jersey Giants (black). Both the roosters and the hens are quite large so they are a dual purpose breed. I also have Easter Eggers because I love the different egg colors and because (as you said) they have such great personalities. However, they are the ones who are looking for a way to escape on the days when I keep the chickens in their pens. I also have Buff Cochins. They are a Super friendly breed with Gobs of fluffy feathers that remind me of old fashioned petticoats. I have two of them, one is Mrs. Butterworth and the other is Mrs. Marples. I have two Cuckoo Maran's for their egg color, a Wellsummer for egg color and the rest of my flock are barnyard breeds. I have more eggs than I know what to do with from them and I also have eggs from my ducks (which are my favorite eggs to eat) I give eggs to my family, friends and neighbors and sometimes sell them too. This summer I am adding at least 3 Speckled Sussex and 3 more Cuckoo Matan's.
By the time our chicks are out with the big girls, we will have 15 chickens total. We have Brahmas (1 Light, 1 Dark chick, and 1 Buff chick, as they’re my favorite breed so I like having 1 of each😅), a White Leghorn, a Rhode Island Red, a Barred Plymouth Rock, 2 Ameraucanas, a Black Jersey Giant, a White Silkie (the large variety, not a Bantam), a Buff Orpington (our alpha chicken), a Mystic Maran (French Black Copper Maran rooster bred to a Barred Plymouth Rock hen; a lesser known crossing, but their egg production and egg size are from the Rock and the egg color from the Maran), an Olive Egger chick, an Exchequer Leghorn chick, and a Blue Splash Maran chick.
In the last batch I got a Buff Orpington, and she is a very chill chicken. Very friendly to the rest of the flock (and me), and the friendliest of the new batch. She has been a late bloomer, as when I got her, she was quite small in height (but round-bodied), and I called her Lucille ButterBall, because she was a butter ball! Just in the last few weeks, at about age 1yr, she has almost doubled in size, and now she is a huge (rather massive) fluffy chicken. The other two that I got at the same time were a Columbian Wyandotte (massive bird, but more a gentle giant, now alpha chicken, but she does not need to enforce it) and a gold penciled Wyandotte, also a good sized bird. The Columbian lays a very large egg, the gold penciled a smaller (medium) sized egg. I also have a Maran-White Plymouth Rock cross (3/4 maran) but the white rock appearance is more dominant, dark brown eggs. And finally, I have a Silver Dorking (off white egg). The Dorking is not a great layer (average or below). My recent loss, at age 10, was a mixed breed (no idea what breeds) who was a champion layer and pretty much laid well up until the end. Never believe the "they don't lay much after two years", utter rubbish! I get all the different breeds because they are pets, with names, and it makes it easy to tell them apart. In selecting breeds, the heavier breeds are less likely to fly over fences if you have them free ranging in the yard. The skinnier breeds will often be fence flyers (not an issue if you have a fully enclosed run). All the Orpingtons have a tendency for broodiness, including the Australorp. But the Orpington breed(s) do tend to be non-aggressive and very friendly. Skinnier breeds can be more flighty, less friendly. The Wyandottes are supposed to be better winter layers, although mine have yet to come back into lay after the molt. To pick my breeds, I did a spreadsheet! Generally considered breeds with 200+ eggs per year, because of the smaller flock. In the next batch I will get either a light or coronation sussex, maybe a lavender orpington or white rock, and I need a black one, so probably Australorp.
I just picked up 7 of a variety of breeds and I'm about to pick up 7 or 8 ( or more if I can get a discount) Australorp Chicks from a backyard breeder in an hour. They're all only 7 days old and so far, I'm really enjoying the new title of "Mother of Chickens!". That's what my husband and son call me now. They're going to be such spoiled little egg producers!
I have two black langshans from mcMurray hatchery . They are only 6 weeks old. They don’t care about the pecking order. Very chill laid back a lil shy but loooove to lay in my hand. They do it on their own.
@@Squiggsish Easy enough to make your own. Look up several sites (yes they differ) on the stats of each breed. Mainly you focus on whatever is important to you. If broody is too much, avoid. If flighty is not want you want, avoid. Narrow it down. My Buff Orpington is a broody miss, but she has such a lovely friendly personality to humans and the rest of the flock. Such a sweetie. Love her to bits.
@@littlehomesteadbigdreams isn't that the bird You did not give us laying stats for?!? It was exquisite looking but... temperament & productivity are key when I will have to have a chicken tractor to keep the coons out in a city lot in a small town. 😢
I like Brahmas. They come in a variety of colors, they lay large eggs, they make a good multipurpose bird (meat and eggs), They are more docile and quiet. (Roosters don't get mean very easily).
I love your gardening videos but with having chickens myself I really enjoy your homesteading videos just as much! Your coop is absolutely beautiful!we have 11 , 3 lavenders but don’t have any blue egg layers! Goals! Txs for sharing!❤️🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓❤️
I really wanted a Lavender Orpington, but settled for a Buff Orpington when I couldn't find one close to me. She's very sweet. I adore Plymouth Barred Rocks - they are the sweetest, friendliest chickens and great layers. I also have some Easter Eggers for color variety and one Buff Brahma because she's pretty and fancy.
I have 17 Gold Laced Wyandottes. Love them, but don't expect to handle them. They will hang out with you but don't want to be touched. They don't tolerate other breeds very well.
I strongly don’t recommend a Leghorn as a backyard bird if you let her roam around freely and have neighbors. My Leghorn, Patricia could fly over the 6 foot chain link fence, rocket launch from the porch to the front yard to lay eggs in the carport and would sleep in the tree if I didn’t put her up before dark. She was also LOUD. Her big dumb comb got frost bite when it got down to single digits, so not very winter hardy. She also died before she was even two due to fluid in her abdomen, maybe tractor supply is to blame for that one. HOWEVER, she did lay a ton of eggs the first year and had the funniest personality, very smart and clever. She was secretly my favorite. 😢 Great list, I’m in search of two new ones, this is helpful info, thanks!
Oh thats funny about naming your eggers. My favorite hen is an egger. Her name is Marge. Large Marge because she was the first "normal" size hen and she looked huge compared. We have a few named. The bantam rooster is General. The egger rooster is Blue. And the barred rock are Betty and Barbara. There are another 60-80. It fluctuates. Other than ones the grandkids name and rename, the others are just "here chicken"
definitely contemplating doing a shared chicken venture with my neighbor once she gets back from her cross country trip. took a class already. wont have the space to have a large flock to have the full spectrum of egg colors I'd love. i do have an aesthetic fondness for the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte. So gorgeous! Buff Orpingtons are wonderful!
we are looking at our first flock this coming spring. Thank you for this, it talked my husband into letting me getting some more breeds than just leghorns. (my hubby loves old WB cartoons)
If you want them cuddly (and sitting on your lap), then get them as chicks (5-12 weeks old) or hatch them. Then handle them a lot. I still miss my 'lap chicken' who passed away about four years ago. Every time I sat out there with them, she would be on my lap, just loved being stroked.
My main egg layers are Buff and Lavender Orpingtons. Dual purpose for profit are American Bresse. My rare obsession are Ayam Cemani. But my babies, my "for the love of the bird" are Easter Eggers. I have some gorgeous birds and I love them all. ❤
You’re right, chicken math is real! I’ve enlarged my coop twice already and have plans to do it again this fall. My favorite breed is Easter Egger followed by Australorp (I have blue and black ones) and Speckled Sussex. All 3 breeds are friendly and get along well with the other chickens. I hope to add Cream Legbars after the coop enlargement.
LOVED THE DIFFERENT BREEDS DESCRIPTIONS!!! we are just breaking ground for a coop that I hope to start out with 3 to 5 chicks and I understand chicken math I’m a little afraid of it since I could not get just one dog I had four at one point, however, not afraid of the work, etc. I now have a 1 acre garden. It’s our home and I am looking forward to sharing greens and, all the experiences good in bed with our own little flock of chickens.
I have Bantams and they are a variety of colors. The only reason I have these is because a friend who was moving gave them to me, but as a new chicken owner I also felt like their small size made them less intimidating. Gave me a good start. But all my eggs are white and I really want some colors! I have a friend who has told me she'll give me some eggs next time my Mama goes broody. It'll be interesting to see how my flock handles having big chickens around! I didn't know it was possible to love chickens but I love mine!!! I have 7 hens and 2 roosters and 3 new chicks (one is a roo and it was sooooo fun the first time he crowed!) They are all named after my great aunts, uncles and grandparents..... Bernice, Dorothy, Henrietta, Rosalie, Nettie, Cora, Ethel, Belle and Fern. Roos are Jennings and Merrill and the new one is Cecil (hubby's grandpa.) We had such fun naming them!!
I had a bantam pair years ago. ( Hen and rooster) she was broody a lot, and hatched out turkeys once and ducks once, besides her own. All at different tines. It was so much fun.
Fave breeds: Rhode Island Red, Black Minorca, Plymouth Rock and Barred Rock. We prefer these multi-purpose breeds that add colour to the barnyard, lay larger eggs - during summer get alot of double-yolkers. The egg shell colour never was of interest to us. Always enjoyable and informative videos - take care and thanks!
We were thinking about getting started with chickens this Spring but weren’t sure due to job situation but now that’s settled so next Spring we are going to give it a try. I had decided on the Buff Orpington. PerhapsI should also get a couple of White Leghorns too. Thanks for describing their personalities and number of eggs they lay. Very helpful information.
Again Brian, I don’t have chickens yet but I just love watching these videos on your chickens and learning all there is to know. I find it all very interesting and entertaining! I would have chickens I can interact with.
I never had chickens myself but getting some after the 19th. Super excited and scared at the same time and that's because I am slow to move and balance issues at the moment, which kinda takes your wings down to size. My husband was discouraging me to have them because of that but I just bought them and didn't tell him. Ugh, will find out, he likes animals so I hope is going to be ok. If not, tough! I would have brought them last year when we moved but he said not to because we had so much to do, so here we go! Thank you for the video! ❤️🤗🤗
My #1 is Black Australorp for their color that helps to keep the hawks and eagles away. Lost one to a hawk on a cloudy day. Also eggs are a light brown. I had 5 got set even though they are not known for it. #2 Easter Egger I love their friendly attitude. It is a plus that you get blue or green eggs. #3 Golden Wyandot for friendly and eggs plus possible meat.
Barred rocks, Rhode Island Reds, and Easter Eggers are my fav 3. I have some Sapphire Gems now I think I may love…gotta see how they lay and that will be a couple more months.
This was very helpful. We don't have chickens yet (only because we're moving soon) and in doing my research, my most wamted do far is the Buff Orpington! So I was glad to see it topped out your top 3 list. My husband wants a Rhode Island Red. Again,very helpful, Brian, so thank you!!
Thanks for confirming my decision in choosing the Buff Orpington as my breed of choice for my future coop coming soon. I’m in Puerto Rico and I need a breed that will sustain the warm weather here. Although I’m up in the mountains and it’s always about 10 degrees cooler up here with a nice breeze it can get warm and humid at times and I understand that Buff Orpington can withstand some heat. They are a sweet and docile breed. My dad used to raise chickens all his life and I helped him a lot. He used to reproduce the chickens himself with an incubator. It was always fun to watch. So yeah. Thank you very much.
I am a new chicken owner. I bought babies when two days old. I bought based on egg production, dual purpose and predator savvy. They are 7 months old now and laying an egg a day. I have 2 Cream Leg Bars, 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Jersey Giants and 1 Easter Eggers. The eighth Easter turned out to be a rooster. All have survived a beginner like me, thanks to videos, like this. My hens have all the above attributes, plus personality. Both my reds jump on my back as well. I love my girls and I believe in Chicken Math. 🤣
Going to send this video to my sister in Arizona. She had chickens in California but I’m not sure she knows about the different breeds. I just love watching them when I was at her house. Blessings ❤️🌺
We LOVE our Buff Orpingtons! So much personality! Another (dual purpose) chicken are the Brahmas. They ARE a LARGE chicken, but they lay large eggs, and they are stunning to look at.
We just started raising chickens and started with a few Rhode Island Reds. Easter Eggers are next and I’ll take your advice and look for Leghorns or Orpington’s. Thanks for the chicken video. I’m used to seeing you in the garden.
Hi! I loved this video. I would like so much to have chickens in my yard , but my husband doesn’t want to…it would be another animal to look after. But one never knows the power of persuasion…One thing I would have liked to know is, what kinds of chicken feed there are and the cost. Thank you for the very nice video.
We just got Easter Egger, Wyandotte and Buff Orpington. These have been the most reliable for us next to the Rhode Island Red. Nice presentation, especially helpful for beginners.
Have 6 buff Orpington and first time backyard keepers. Love the breed, easy to raise and very quiet ( no complaints from neighbors). Friendly and they follow us around every time that we are in the yard. Recommend the Orpington breed for 1st timers or living in a residential area.
Thanks I enjoy it so much and I’m glad I found your channel tonight the funny thing is I have just finished building my coop and I’m going to start working with chickens. 🐓 I learned a lot from you
This video helped a lot! We are about to get chickens for the first time and Buff Orpington and Easter Egger are on the top of our list. This video confirms we are making a good choice! Thank you.
Hi so nice to see you in a new role, I love the rhode island red, Next the Australopithecus, then the leghorn, all very good layers, we are busy getting our chicken area sorted out, can’t wait to get the birds,
#1 barred rock. Dual purpose,good winter and summer good with kids my daughters fav and they are sweet can hold them. 2 cinnamon queen second to the barred rock better than road island red 3 cream legbar... cool eggs sometimes fun Easter egg hunting. They are vocal... All the chickens come running with the dogs when we get home
Good day sir, I have just checked out your channel and absolutely love it. I have subscribed to be part of your lovely community. I aquired a coup and seven chickens 14 days ago. They have just layed their 30th egg about 10 minutes ago in this brutal heat 106F here in Huntsville, Texas.
Just getting into chickens and we pick up our Easter effects next weeks very excited! We have a brown leghorn and barred rocks at the moment. We just moved to a 2 acre property and we have some grand kids that have totally gotten into our chickens it’s fun.
Loved your video! It’s always fun to see other chicken keeper’s flocks and hear their opinions. My current flock of 11 consists of : 2 Ameraucanas, 2 Green Queens, 2 Plymouth Rocks, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Salmon Faverolle, 1 Blue Copper Maran, 1 Sapphire Jewel, and 1 White Crested Black Polish. I love them all, but my favorites are the Ameraucaunas and the little Crested Polish. Super personalities and good egg layers.
❤❤❤ I love that I love your chicken. I'm an old ranch girl. I've always had chicken, but you have a few. I don't know about. I love to watching this and yes, I miss chickens. I gotta hit some. I've already got my penspelled but I've been searching for the ones I really want this time. Before I had some money because I got so overwhelmed with how many there were but I do like the silkies because they're black me. At it's got a lot of minerals in for health. The orientals keep them only because their black mineral meat. That was actually the first Chinese. We're the ones with chicken noodle soup made with this black man.Thank you very much
My favorite chicken breeds are the Barred Plymouth rock the buff Orphington, and the Easter Egger I’ve been raising chickens since 2006, and I love it. It is not only a hobby it’s become a little side business for me.
So that's funny, while watching the video I made a list of the hens I would like to start with and the 3 I put down ended up being your top 3! Thank you for the video!
I have had chickens most of my life. Current favorites are Speckled Sussex, Delaware and Dominique. Calm, good egg layers, easy to keep in, handsome, could be butchered. Least favorite are Leghorn, Isa Brown, Rhode Island Red. Ok breeds I have are Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, Australorp. Wyandotte and Brahma.
These are my first chickens but I have two Lavender Orpingtons, two Easter eggers and two Welsummers. These supposed Easter eggers and Welsumners look exactly the same and I suspect I just got four Welsummer, but we'll find out when they start laying in the next month or two. Hands down the Orpingtons are the sweetest things. They are my lap birds and are also at the bottom of the pecking order because they're just so nice. They don't mind being held at all instead of screaming like I'm trying to eat them (like the others do).😆 One of them literally thinks I'm her mom and she gets so upset when I leave, even now at about 3 months old.
I’m getting 3 Buff Orpingtons in two weeks time. I’m really excited. I live in uk and I’ve noticed that all of your coops over there are huge in comparison 😂 Thank you for your videos.
Like you, I love having a variety of egg colors. I've been adding a few different breeds over this past year. Our first spring chicks were the Starlight and Rainbow green egger. One started laying a green egg at 4 months and is consistently producing every single day. From her big floppy comb, I'd say they were crossed with the white or brown leghorn. She's an egg laying machine. Next, we've got the Buff Orbingtons and a Blue Marans. Both are great layers. These are my full figured girls. The May West, Jane Mansfield, Dolly Parton, kinda girls. Laying every day, even in late December, I average 5 out of 6 eggs a day. In October, I added some Speckled Sussex and the Bared Plymouth Rock chicks to the mix. We should see some eggs in early spring. I've been letting them free-range in the backyard with the big hens lately. They still roost in a separate coop at night. All will fallow you around like puppies. The Orbingtons will jump in your lap or sit on your head. The Blue Marans is my sweetest girl. She's very docile and quiet. My wish list: 1. Copper Marans. 2. Blue Red Wyandotte.
Speckled Sussex. Very hardy bird and a good layer. And my classic Easter egger. Love the blue eggs, also my jersey black giant rooster is quite the protecter of my free range flock. Getting some buff orphs this spring and blue laced red wynedots
I've had a variety of breeds in the 24 years that I've had chickens. My favorite have been Arucanas and the Speckled Sussex I currently have. We called the Barred Rocks we had several years ago the Crips because they were so mean.
Great info!! My faves are the lavender orpington because of the color but also the buff, jersey giants because of their size and temperament and then maybe Easter egger because of the entertainment. Lol! I never thought I'd own chickens but here I am killing it with chicken math.
We raised all kinds of birds when we had our ranch. Our son was a chicken mogul at age 9. Sold eggs to all of the nurses I worked with. And he could manage big incubators and hatchers like a pro. We raised not only chickens, we had bobwhite quail, chuckers, many different types of pheasants, and also had white ducks, guineas and peacocks. Even a turkey named Pricilla! You are so right about their different personalities. Chuckers are the most curious, quail are skittish, ducks are a riot. Guineas are like having a security detail, you know when something is up. Also had horses and other farm animals. It was great fun when our kids were growing up. Miss it sometimes, but now that we are older, we just worry about the garden. Great memories though. Love seeing your girls.🐓
That is so great!!
Bob White quail are hard to beat when it comes time to eat lol.
I’m not planning on getting chickens, but I felt compelled to watch the whole dang video anyway!
Well I appreciate that 😊
I'm with Lynn.
I'll never have chickens of my own.
But I always enjoy a good chicken update!
And of coarse,
that coop you've got goin' on Bryan!
Well, that's to die for!
I actually wouldn't mind having chickens.
But only if somebody else takes care of them!
That sounds pretty cold, doesn't it!
Pffffthhh 👅💦
I would enjoy watching them parade through my yard, a few times a week. Scratching up leaves & eating bugs & fertilizing as they go!
Those are nice qualities in a visitor!
I wouldn't even mind setting up a few small fences to keep them from destroying some of my plants.
Plus, eggs are a very😊 nice bonus!
I think I would like the blue eggs the best...
And I do enjoy watching actual chickens, as I often do here on You Tube!
My biggest excuse for not having chickens of my own is that I have rheumatoid arthritis and so my hands don't really open all the way anymore.
Which means I wouldn't be able to pick the chickens up.
I'm pretty sure picking them up is a requirement in caring for them!
But honestly,
the REAL reason is that,
in person,
those chicken feet,
(& the beaks too)
they kinda skeeve me out!
🫣
However...
After watching chickens on various You Tube Channels for years now,
I really wouldn't mind having a few chickens hanging around!
(Y'all are talking me into it by osmosis!!)
I've often fantasized about sharing some chickens with my next door neighbor!
Now THAT would be the perfect scenario for me!
Blue Eggs & Ham,
yes please,
Sam I Am!
Ans the best part-
I could send their lil' feet running home every evening! 🤭
I'm getting some chickens this week. Hopefully the farm store has some of those white leghorns!...tho i would love to have the more chill/friendly chickens that let you pick them up
45 years of chicken keeping. Favorites are Welsummer, Wyandots and Ameraucana. Love my chickens.
Hi,I am looking the buy Wyandots eggs.
Chicken breeds are like Pokémon..gotta catch ‘em all!🤣 I have 24 chickens & 13 different breeds.🙈🤷🏼♀️
Yes!!! So true
I say this same thing all the time..it’s SOO true 😂🙌🏻 I have 28 chickens & they’re all different breeds 😅
I have a small flock of 4 of Buff Orpingtons. I live in an area where my county dictates a limit of 4 chickens or I would have more! I chose one breed because of their clam and friendly temperament and because I wanted a level harmony in the flock. I handled them a lot when they were chicks and have been rewarded with super friendly girls. They follow me everywhere, while I’m gardening or just hanging out in the yard. They interact with me and love to sit in my lap and sometimes take a snooze. They have a calming therapeutic effect on me too. They cruise around the yard in a never ending pursuit of bugs. The best organic pesticide ever! They are my top pick breed.
Orpingtons are the best!
Yep I live in town I'm pressing my luck I got four now too
As a chicken wanter this filled my heart and made me smile. I can't have chickens, I live in a tiny house with a tiny garden. For one, I wouldn't be allowed to have one in my garden and it's so small I couldn't stop the chickens treating my meagre space as a buffet. But it was a pleasure seeing your girls and all the different ones that make up egg harvest.
Thank you!
You should try rabbits!
I love my Buff Orpintons❤️. Beautiful and friendly
Yes!
I just purchased this breed. I'm very happy to have them as companions.
My favorite breed is Buff Orpington. I had three Buff Orpington, three black Austrolorps and three Barred Rocks. The Buffs were so fun. One especially liked me and ran to each end of the chicken run when I walked by. The three Buffs always were up front in the flock to greet me when in went into the run to freed them or clean. So cute. The Barred Rocks were fun too. The Black Austrolorps were the most fragile. I lost one to a flu and one to exposure. For some reason, she didn’t stay in the coop during an especially bad storm.
I currently have 33 chickens, 30 ducks, 2 geese, 2 pigs, 2 cows (each with a calf). I love all my different chickens for different reasons. When I first started with chickens I just got what I liked but soon learned that aerial predators, color matters. Once that lesson was learned I focused on black chickens. Hawks are less likely to bother black chickens because from the air, they resemble crows and crows will attack hawks. I bought Jersey Giants (black). Both the roosters and the hens are quite large so they are a dual purpose breed. I also have Easter Eggers because I love the different egg colors and because (as you said) they have such great personalities. However, they are the ones who are looking for a way to escape on the days when I keep the chickens in their pens. I also have Buff Cochins. They are a Super friendly breed with Gobs of fluffy feathers that remind me of old fashioned petticoats. I have two of them, one is Mrs. Butterworth and the other is Mrs. Marples. I have two Cuckoo Maran's for their egg color, a Wellsummer for egg color and the rest of my flock are barnyard breeds. I have more eggs than I know what to do with from them and I also have eggs from my ducks (which are my favorite eggs to eat) I give eggs to my family, friends and neighbors and sometimes sell them too. This summer I am adding at least 3 Speckled Sussex and 3 more Cuckoo Matan's.
I love chickens -i was around them growing up and miss not having them now.
Thank you! This was very helpful. I can't til I move!
How fun this video was to watch! I don't have room for chickens but am interested in hearing about them.
Rhode island reds stands the heat and cold and a really good layer plus they are pretty
Good to know
By the time our chicks are out with the big girls, we will have 15 chickens total. We have Brahmas (1 Light, 1 Dark chick, and 1 Buff chick, as they’re my favorite breed so I like having 1 of each😅), a White Leghorn, a Rhode Island Red, a Barred Plymouth Rock, 2 Ameraucanas, a Black Jersey Giant, a White Silkie (the large variety, not a Bantam), a Buff Orpington (our alpha chicken), a Mystic Maran (French Black Copper Maran rooster bred to a Barred Plymouth Rock hen; a lesser known crossing, but their egg production and egg size are from the Rock and the egg color from the Maran), an Olive Egger chick, an Exchequer Leghorn chick, and a Blue Splash Maran chick.
In the last batch I got a Buff Orpington, and she is a very chill chicken. Very friendly to the rest of the flock (and me), and the friendliest of the new batch. She has been a late bloomer, as when I got her, she was quite small in height (but round-bodied), and I called her Lucille ButterBall, because she was a butter ball! Just in the last few weeks, at about age 1yr, she has almost doubled in size, and now she is a huge (rather massive) fluffy chicken. The other two that I got at the same time were a Columbian Wyandotte (massive bird, but more a gentle giant, now alpha chicken, but she does not need to enforce it) and a gold penciled Wyandotte, also a good sized bird. The Columbian lays a very large egg, the gold penciled a smaller (medium) sized egg. I also have a Maran-White Plymouth Rock cross (3/4 maran) but the white rock appearance is more dominant, dark brown eggs. And finally, I have a Silver Dorking (off white egg). The Dorking is not a great layer (average or below). My recent loss, at age 10, was a mixed breed (no idea what breeds) who was a champion layer and pretty much laid well up until the end. Never believe the "they don't lay much after two years", utter rubbish!
I get all the different breeds because they are pets, with names, and it makes it easy to tell them apart.
In selecting breeds, the heavier breeds are less likely to fly over fences if you have them free ranging in the yard. The skinnier breeds will often be fence flyers (not an issue if you have a fully enclosed run). All the Orpingtons have a tendency for broodiness, including the Australorp. But the Orpington breed(s) do tend to be non-aggressive and very friendly. Skinnier breeds can be more flighty, less friendly. The Wyandottes are supposed to be better winter layers, although mine have yet to come back into lay after the molt.
To pick my breeds, I did a spreadsheet! Generally considered breeds with 200+ eggs per year, because of the smaller flock. In the next batch I will get either a light or coronation sussex, maybe a lavender orpington or white rock, and I need a black one, so probably Australorp.
I just picked up 7 of a variety of breeds and I'm about to pick up 7 or 8 ( or more if I can get a discount) Australorp Chicks from a backyard breeder in an hour. They're all only 7 days old and so far, I'm really enjoying the new title of "Mother of Chickens!". That's what my husband and son call me now. They're going to be such spoiled little egg producers!
I have two black langshans from mcMurray hatchery . They are only 6 weeks old. They don’t care about the pecking order. Very chill laid back a lil shy but loooove to lay in my hand. They do it on their own.
I would love to see that spreadsheet!! Choosing chicken breed(s) is a headache!
@@Squiggsish Easy enough to make your own. Look up several sites (yes they differ) on the stats of each breed. Mainly you focus on whatever is important to you. If broody is too much, avoid. If flighty is not want you want, avoid. Narrow it down.
My Buff Orpington is a broody miss, but she has such a lovely friendly personality to humans and the rest of the flock. Such a sweetie. Love her to bits.
Best video ever!! Loved it… took lots of notes for the future!! Thank you!!!
Glad you had something different today.... i love my birds.
Me too!
That Wyandotte...Holy Crap! That is a beautiful bird!
It sure is!
Wait until you see the Columbian Wyandotte. 😍
@@littlehomesteadbigdreams
isn't that the bird You did not give us laying stats for?!? It was exquisite looking but...
temperament & productivity are key when I will have to have a chicken tractor to keep the coons out in a city lot in a small town. 😢
Very informative, thank you.
While I don’t have chickens I do love watching the videos about them. Thank you for such a interesting video! 👍
You’re welcome!
I like Brahmas. They come in a variety of colors, they lay large eggs, they make a good multipurpose bird (meat and eggs), They are more docile and quiet. (Roosters don't get mean very easily).
Thanks for the tip
I love your gardening videos but with having chickens myself I really enjoy your homesteading videos just as much! Your coop is absolutely beautiful!we have 11 , 3 lavenders but don’t have any blue egg layers! Goals! Txs for sharing!❤️🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓❤️
You need to get some! 😁
Please take us along when introducing the younger chicks into the flock. Great chicken video.
You got it!
This was a fun video. It's so amazing how they lay different color eggs! So cool. I loved the chicken cam at the end too 😆
Thank you!
My parents have to fence their garden because of deer. I painted it black for them and they absolutely loved it. Thanks for the idea!
You’re welcome!
I really wanted a Lavender Orpington, but settled for a Buff Orpington when I couldn't find one close to me. She's very sweet. I adore Plymouth Barred Rocks - they are the sweetest, friendliest chickens and great layers. I also have some Easter Eggers for color variety and one Buff Brahma because she's pretty and fancy.
I am getting 3 gold laced Wyadotte and 4 Buff polish hens next week...I'm so excited!
That’s awesome!!
I have 17 Gold Laced Wyandottes. Love them, but don't expect to handle them. They will hang out with you but don't want to be touched. They don't tolerate other breeds very well.
I love pretty coloured chickens! If I were going to have chickens, I would try to have the speckley breeds :-)
There are so many breeds out there. Try for the laced or penciled breeds, they are super pretty.
Very interesting!! Thanks😊
Glad you liked it!
Thank you, so much, for your help and insight! I am very new to chickens and am so excited to get started!
I would never have thought about all those breeds in one coop. So cool.
I strongly don’t recommend a Leghorn as a backyard bird if you let her roam around freely and have neighbors. My Leghorn, Patricia could fly over the 6 foot chain link fence, rocket launch from the porch to the front yard to lay eggs in the carport and would sleep in the tree if I didn’t put her up before dark. She was also LOUD. Her big dumb comb got frost bite when it got down to single digits, so not very winter hardy. She also died before she was even two due to fluid in her abdomen, maybe tractor supply is to blame for that one. HOWEVER, she did lay a ton of eggs the first year and had the funniest personality, very smart and clever. She was secretly my favorite. 😢 Great list, I’m in search of two new ones, this is helpful info, thanks!
The slimmer breeds tend to fly over fences. Heavier breeds stay put in the yard.
😢 I’m sorry
Great choices, I have to agree with you on the Buff Orpinton. Our two will be the first to jump in our lap.
Oh thats funny about naming your eggers. My favorite hen is an egger. Her name is Marge. Large Marge because she was the first "normal" size hen and she looked huge compared. We have a few named. The bantam rooster is General. The egger rooster is Blue. And the barred rock are Betty and Barbara. There are another 60-80. It fluctuates. Other than ones the grandkids name and rename, the others are just "here chicken"
That’s awesome 😁
We will be getting chickens in the spring. This has really helped on deciding what ones to get
Great video! So much useful information. I hope to have chickens one day. Thanks for sharing the video
You’re welcome
definitely contemplating doing a shared chicken venture with my neighbor once she gets back from her cross country trip. took a class already. wont have the space to have a large flock to have the full spectrum of egg colors I'd love. i do have an aesthetic fondness for the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte. So gorgeous! Buff Orpingtons are wonderful!
Great idea!
Good man. Beautiful birds.
Love all your videos, but really enjoying the chickens I have almost all the egg colors you have, also have 3 silkies and one silkie wyndott cross
That is awesome!
we are looking at our first flock this coming spring. Thank you for this, it talked my husband into letting me getting some more breeds than just leghorns. (my hubby loves old WB cartoons)
Awesome!
Thanks for these videos! I’m going to start this in 2024, and I appreciate you simplifying it for beginners.
Thanks, your videos are always so informative and to the point.
Glad you find them helpful!
I love watching other folks enjoying chickens. Are they very cuddly pets aside from laying eggs?
hahaha - i love that as well!
If you want them cuddly (and sitting on your lap), then get them as chicks (5-12 weeks old) or hatch them. Then handle them a lot. I still miss my 'lap chicken' who passed away about four years ago. Every time I sat out there with them, she would be on my lap, just loved being stroked.
Your hens are beautiful and healthy!
Thank you!
My main egg layers are Buff and Lavender Orpingtons. Dual purpose for profit are American Bresse. My rare obsession are Ayam Cemani. But my babies, my "for the love of the bird" are Easter Eggers. I have some gorgeous birds and I love them all. ❤
You’re right, chicken math is real! I’ve enlarged my coop twice already and have plans to do it again this fall. My favorite breed is Easter Egger followed by Australorp (I have blue and black ones) and Speckled Sussex. All 3 breeds are friendly and get along well with the other chickens. I hope to add Cream Legbars after the coop enlargement.
Sounds good!
I love seeing all the different kinds of chickens. I want to get chickens after we move
That’s great!
LOVED THE DIFFERENT BREEDS DESCRIPTIONS!!! we are just breaking ground for a coop that I hope to start out with 3 to 5 chicks and I understand chicken math I’m a little afraid of it since I could not get just one dog I had four at one point, however, not afraid of the work, etc. I now have a 1 acre garden. It’s our home and I am looking forward to sharing greens and, all the experiences good in bed with our own little flock of chickens.
I have Bantams and they are a variety of colors. The only reason I have these is because a friend who was moving gave them to me, but as a new chicken owner I also felt like their small size made them less intimidating. Gave me a good start. But all my eggs are white and I really want some colors! I have a friend who has told me she'll give me some eggs next time my Mama goes broody. It'll be interesting to see how my flock handles having big chickens around! I didn't know it was possible to love chickens but I love mine!!! I have 7 hens and 2 roosters and 3 new chicks (one is a roo and it was sooooo fun the first time he crowed!) They are all named after my great aunts, uncles and grandparents..... Bernice, Dorothy, Henrietta, Rosalie, Nettie, Cora, Ethel, Belle and Fern. Roos are Jennings and Merrill and the new one is Cecil (hubby's grandpa.) We had such fun naming them!!
That’s awesome!
I had a bantam pair years ago. ( Hen and rooster) she was broody a lot, and hatched out turkeys once and ducks once, besides her own. All at different tines. It was so much fun.
Great vid on this subject.
Thanks!
Like how you explain the pro and cons ❤about the various breeds
I agree with you! I love my Buffys! I have Barred Rocks, Dominics, Crazy Red Lace Wyandot, Blue Lace Wyandot as well. Love my birds!
Fave breeds: Rhode Island Red, Black Minorca, Plymouth Rock and Barred Rock. We prefer these multi-purpose breeds that add colour to the barnyard, lay larger eggs - during summer get alot of double-yolkers. The egg shell colour never was of interest to us. Always enjoyable and informative videos - take care and thanks!
Thank you!
We were thinking about getting started with chickens this Spring but weren’t sure due to job situation but now that’s settled so next Spring we are going to give it a try.
I had decided on the Buff Orpington. PerhapsI should also get a couple of White Leghorns too. Thanks for describing their personalities and number of eggs they lay. Very helpful information.
Again Brian, I don’t have chickens yet but I just love watching these videos on your chickens and learning all there is to know. I find it all very interesting and entertaining!
I would have chickens I can interact with.
I never had chickens myself but getting some after the 19th. Super excited and scared at the same time and that's because I am slow to move and balance issues at the moment, which kinda takes your wings down to size. My husband was discouraging me to have them because of that but I just bought them and didn't tell him. Ugh, will find out, he likes animals so I hope is going to be ok. If not, tough! I would have brought them last year when we moved but he said not to because we had so much to do, so here we go! Thank you for the video! ❤️🤗🤗
Good luck! You can do it!
Chickens are totally addictive. I am sure your husband will come around.
My #1 is Black Australorp for their color that helps to keep the hawks and eagles away. Lost one to a hawk on a cloudy day. Also eggs are a light brown. I had 5 got set even though they are not known for it. #2 Easter Egger I love their friendly attitude. It is a plus that you get blue or green eggs. #3 Golden Wyandot for friendly and eggs plus possible meat.
All great choices!!
Barred rocks, Rhode Island Reds, and Easter Eggers are my fav 3. I have some Sapphire Gems now I think I may love…gotta see how they lay and that will be a couple more months.
This was very helpful. We don't have chickens yet (only because we're moving soon) and in doing my research, my most wamted do far is the Buff Orpington! So I was glad to see it topped out your top 3 list. My husband wants a Rhode Island Red. Again,very helpful, Brian, so thank you!!
You’re welcome 🙂
Omg! Great video! Want chicken's with all colored eggs...you covered it perfectly! Thank you!!!
You are so welcome!
Thanks for confirming my decision in choosing the Buff Orpington as my breed of choice for my future coop coming soon. I’m in Puerto Rico and I need a breed that will sustain the warm weather here. Although I’m up in the mountains and it’s always about 10 degrees cooler up here with a nice breeze it can get warm and humid at times and I understand that Buff Orpington can withstand some heat. They are a sweet and docile breed. My dad used to raise chickens all his life and I helped him a lot. He used to reproduce the chickens himself with an incubator. It was always fun to watch. So yeah. Thank you very much.
I am a new chicken owner. I bought babies when two days old. I bought based on egg production, dual purpose and predator savvy. They are 7 months old now and laying an egg a day. I have 2 Cream Leg Bars, 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Jersey Giants and 1 Easter Eggers. The eighth Easter turned out to be a rooster. All have survived a beginner like me, thanks to videos, like this. My hens have all the above attributes, plus personality. Both my reds jump on my back as well. I love my girls and I believe in Chicken Math. 🤣
Going to send this video to my sister in Arizona. She had chickens in California but I’m not sure she knows about the different breeds. I just love watching them when I was at her house. Blessings ❤️🌺
Thanks for sharing!
We LOVE our Buff Orpingtons! So much personality!
Another (dual purpose) chicken are the Brahmas. They ARE a LARGE chicken, but they lay large eggs, and they are stunning to look at.
We just started raising chickens and started with a few Rhode Island Reds. Easter Eggers are next and I’ll take your advice and look for Leghorns or Orpington’s. Thanks for the chicken video. I’m used to seeing you in the garden.
Love the way you presented this video you have good communication skills stay blessed and live happily 😊😊😊
Thank you so much 🙂
Hi! I loved this video. I would like so much to have chickens in my yard , but my husband doesn’t want to…it would be another animal to look after. But one never knows the power of persuasion…One thing I would have liked to know is, what kinds of chicken feed there are and the cost. Thank you for the very nice video.
Thank you very much. I learned alot about different types of chickens! I enjoy yoyr teaching style too.
We just got Easter Egger, Wyandotte and Buff Orpington. These have been the most reliable for us next to the Rhode Island Red. Nice presentation, especially helpful for beginners.
My all time favourite are Icelandic chickens, they’re pretty neat looking and are super hardy which is desirable in the winter where I live
Awesome!
Have 6 buff Orpington and first time backyard keepers. Love the breed, easy to raise and very quiet ( no complaints from neighbors). Friendly and they follow us around every time that we are in the yard. Recommend the Orpington breed for 1st timers or living in a residential area.
Thanks I enjoy it so much and I’m glad I found your channel tonight the funny thing is I have just finished building my coop and I’m going to start working with chickens.
🐓 I learned a lot from you
This video helped a lot! We are about to get chickens for the first time and Buff Orpington and Easter Egger are on the top of our list. This video confirms we are making a good choice! Thank you.
Hi so nice to see you in a new role, I love the rhode island red, Next the Australopithecus, then the leghorn, all very good layers, we are busy getting our chicken area sorted out, can’t wait to get the birds,
#1 barred rock. Dual purpose,good winter and summer good with kids my daughters fav and they are sweet can hold them.
2 cinnamon queen second to the barred rock better than road island red
3 cream legbar... cool eggs sometimes fun Easter egg hunting. They are vocal...
All the chickens come running with the dogs when we get home
Good day sir, I have just checked out your channel and absolutely love it. I have subscribed to be part of your lovely community. I aquired a coup and seven chickens 14 days ago. They have just layed their 30th egg about 10 minutes ago in this brutal heat 106F here in Huntsville, Texas.
My top egg layer is Barred Rocks they are very friendly but i love my Mille Fleur D'uccles they are the friendliest and want to be held and loved.
Rhode island reds and white leghorm breeds are my favorite. They lay a lot of eggs and are very friendly. I currently purchased Orpington chickens.
Just getting into chickens and we pick up our Easter effects next weeks very excited! We have a brown leghorn and barred rocks at the moment. We just moved to a 2 acre property and we have some grand kids that have totally gotten into our chickens it’s fun.
Loved your video! It’s always fun to see other chicken keeper’s flocks and hear their opinions. My current flock of 11 consists of : 2 Ameraucanas, 2 Green Queens, 2 Plymouth Rocks, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Salmon Faverolle, 1 Blue Copper Maran, 1 Sapphire Jewel, and 1 White Crested Black Polish. I love them all, but my favorites are the Ameraucaunas and the little Crested Polish. Super personalities and good egg layers.
❤❤❤ I love that I love your chicken. I'm an old ranch girl. I've always had chicken, but you have a few. I don't know about. I love to watching this and yes, I miss chickens. I gotta hit some. I've already got my penspelled but I've been searching for the ones I really want this time. Before I had some money because I got so overwhelmed with how many there were but I do like the silkies because they're black me. At it's got a lot of minerals in for health. The orientals keep them only because their black mineral meat. That was actually the first Chinese. We're the ones with chicken noodle soup made with this black man.Thank you very much
My favorite chicken breeds are the Barred Plymouth rock the buff Orphington, and the Easter Egger I’ve been raising chickens since 2006, and I love it. It is not only a hobby it’s become a little side business for me.
So that's funny, while watching the video I made a list of the hens I would like to start with and the 3 I put down ended up being your top 3! Thank you for the video!
I have had chickens most of my life. Current favorites are Speckled Sussex, Delaware and Dominique. Calm, good egg layers, easy to keep in, handsome, could be butchered. Least favorite are Leghorn, Isa Brown, Rhode Island Red. Ok breeds I have are Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, Australorp. Wyandotte and Brahma.
These are my first chickens but I have two Lavender Orpingtons, two Easter eggers and two Welsummers. These supposed Easter eggers and Welsumners look exactly the same and I suspect I just got four Welsummer, but we'll find out when they start laying in the next month or two. Hands down the Orpingtons are the sweetest things. They are my lap birds and are also at the bottom of the pecking order because they're just so nice. They don't mind being held at all instead of screaming like I'm trying to eat them (like the others do).😆 One of them literally thinks I'm her mom and she gets so upset when I leave, even now at about 3 months old.
Orpingtons are the best! They are Emilie’s favorite
Yes this did help me decide because of egg production and looks. Thanks again
You’re welcome!
Thank you so much for this video. My husband & I are planning to move out to the country side in NW Ga & chickens are on my wish list.
I’m getting 3 Buff Orpingtons in two weeks time. I’m really excited. I live in uk and I’ve noticed that all of your coops over there are huge in comparison 😂 Thank you for your videos.
Like you, I love having a variety of egg colors.
I've been adding a few different breeds over this past year.
Our first spring chicks were the Starlight and Rainbow green egger.
One started laying a green egg at 4 months and is consistently producing every single day. From her big floppy comb, I'd say they were crossed with the white or brown leghorn. She's an egg laying machine.
Next, we've got the Buff Orbingtons and a Blue Marans. Both are great layers. These are my full figured girls. The May West, Jane Mansfield, Dolly Parton, kinda girls. Laying every day, even in late December, I average 5 out of 6 eggs a day.
In October, I added some Speckled Sussex and the Bared Plymouth Rock chicks to the mix. We should see some eggs in early spring. I've been letting them free-range in the backyard with the big hens lately. They still roost in a separate coop at night.
All will fallow you around like puppies. The Orbingtons will jump in your lap or sit on your head. The Blue Marans is my sweetest girl. She's very docile and quiet.
My wish list:
1. Copper Marans.
2. Blue Red Wyandotte.
I just got two baby buff orpingtons because of egg production great video thank you
This video makes me want to add to my flock. I tip my hat towards you for relenting from buying the Wyandotte.
This was amazing! Great informative video thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Speckled Sussex. Very hardy bird and a good layer. And my classic Easter egger. Love the blue eggs, also my jersey black giant rooster is quite the protecter of my free range flock. Getting some buff orphs this spring and blue laced red wynedots
Wow nice color of eggs
Best producing chickens I owned were Australorpes (really loved my blue laced Australorpe. Also like Buff Orpington and Wyandotte chickens.
Great video, I love this hobby.
I've had a variety of breeds in the 24 years that I've had chickens. My favorite have been Arucanas and the Speckled Sussex I currently have. We called the Barred Rocks we had several years ago the Crips because they were so mean.
That’s awesome!😆
When do we get to see the roof process? Love the fact of multi color eggs!
Great info!! My faves are the lavender orpington because of the color but also the buff, jersey giants because of their size and temperament and then maybe Easter egger because of the entertainment. Lol! I never thought I'd own chickens but here I am killing it with chicken math.
Once you start you can’t stop lol
Love your video 😊 my favorites are speckled Sussex, cream legbar and Delaware. Never had a Orpington, might change my mind!
They’re the best!