Sustainable Chickens~Has My Opinion Changed?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ธ.ค. 2016
- The question was asked about how I feel about a previous video and my interpretation of sustainable chickens breeds. I can tell you that answer will always vary! So do what works best for your, your goals and your farm! And YES... there was some wind today! But let's chicken chat!
Enjoy & thanks for watching! xo
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I have Buckeyes, Barred Rocks, and Comets, 21 in all. They are 8 weeks old. I'm a first timer! I am loving it. I have NO experience or expectations!! Thank you for being my inspiration🐥
xoxoxo!
way back when. . . . I had a Black Langshen rooster. Absolutely beautiful iridescent feathers. took his job seriously of guarding and taking care of his hens. Covered the girls quite well. (good fertilization)
Back then, my kids were young, preschool, 2nd grade, kindergarten, so all were close to the ground. He was as protective of them as he was the rest of the flock. When he felt they were getting too far afield, he would try to herd them back towards the house, just like his hens. He would forage around, and when he found a juicy bug or worm, he would call his flock to come see what he found. When I came out with scraps and hollered "here chick chick chick, " he would spread the word and round up his ladies. He got along well with my dogs and goats.
Did I say he was protective??? He gave his life trying to protect his ladies from a coyote. He raised such a ruckuss trying to call for me, trying to give his girls time to get to the barn. I got there in time to see him launching himself at the coyote. sacrificed himself. When I get back into chickens, Black Langshen is one I'll be looking for.
Years ago, I got some black australorp hatching eggs from a 4h family, they were the biggest chickens I ever had, much bigger than feed store jersey giants or light brahmas...and they laid lots huuuge eggs. I have feed store australorps now and they are just regular size, lay regular size eggs but are dependable layers.
australorps have done very well for us here in Florida. I think they have been my best bird ever I had . One hen go broody twice in one year
I have 4 buff orpingtons and they are great!love your videos patara!
I was looking forward to this video after I saw it posted...thank you for the great video and advice!
Thank you for the updated opinion! You have helped me narrow down my huge "wish" list to something more do-able. ~Cindy (also on a mountaintop in East Tennessee)
Thank you so much. We currently have australorps, golden comet, leg horn , Isa brown, and bard rock
Thank you for your suggestions. I have buff Orpington /wellsummer mix and they are great! Once we move to Kansas I want to be able to have a small flock with one rooster. I’ll keep watching and hope to learn from you and others as I go. 🐓
Buckeyes were one of my first chickens! I love them! White Rocks were also in my first bunch plus Faverolles! These three are my favorites!
thank you for your opinion and all of the information
I live in western Kentucky and so far being newer to the chicken world and having chickens for sustainable living I’m saying the buff Orpington have strong instincts all around so they are my favorite my Buff rooster is a gentlemen with his ladies and very protective of his gals that with my golden comets!! I have 2 cuckoo Marans that add a little spice to the flock! Thank you I have learned alota stuff from you!
Great vid. I've learned so much watching your channel. Keep up the good work. God bless.
I love your chicken videos! I have learned so much! Gotta love a chicken!
I've got Leghorns, Golden comets, and black Australorp. This is a great video!
Thanks! I appreciate you making this video.
I love Orpingtons but they take a long time to start laying. Most breeds I raise lay in 18-22 weeks but all my orpingtons are more like 26-30 weeks. The only drawback. I love your advice on trying different things. It truly does make a huge difference where you live.
Buffs are the best.
Excellent vid! Good advice with why you recommend that breed. Please keep it up!
BTW - will miss conference this Apr. Out of town for daughter's graduation
The Orpingtons that I have are good layers but not too friendly. The most friendly hens I have are the ISA browns, they follow me around like puppies.
ISA and Golden Comets, both, are great!
I loved my Barred Plymouth Rocks.
Patara, I always find your vlogs educational! I am 75 years old, and I'll never be a homesteader, BUT, I still enjoy watching your vlogs. I would like to become one of your new paying members, if it's not to expensive. THAT"S how much I enjoy your vlogs!I made some of your "ultimate bread" for the first time, AND it turned out great. Thanks! PS... I never realized there were so many different breeds of chickens! Thanks, once again.
So glad you love the bread!!! Thank you for being here! xo
I love chicken topics!
Thanks for this great advice
So cute! Love your channel.
I'll look into that. Thank you
I've had Rhode island reds, but will be trying buff orph. Thanks for the video. Merry Christmas to all!!!
Will buff orph's do well in central West Virginia?
That's interesting. I had a friend who was also very disappointed in their Australorp hens. I haven't had any myself. I've been considering Dorking chickens.
I tried black Australorps, New Hampshire reds and silver laced Wyandottes for the first time this year....I also got some buff Orpingtons because I have always had great success with them. I am not impressed with the Wyandottes, which was a surprise to me because I thought I would really like them. I'm on the fence about the New Hampshire - loved her at first but she didn't fair as well as I hoped this winter, though she lays really large eggs....when she lays. Of the three new breeds, I love the Australorps the best! They are hardy, don't even notice the cold, are the only ones that have layed right through the winter. I will see if any of them go broody before making my finally assessment. I'm planning on trying Speckled Sussex and Buckeyes next time I get chicks. I'm glad I watched your video after I had tried the Australorps otherwise, I would have passed them up. You are so right about finding what works for each person and situation. I really enjoy trying new (to me ) breeds!!
I love my 4 buff orphingtons, they produce well, are super friendly (my kids handle them with no problems whatsoever) and are fairly quiet compared to other breeds. I live in a neighborhood in washington state near the puget sound.
Our first chicks that we got were Rhode Island Reds. I will not get any more of those. The hens have just been down right mean, and the roosters have been complete jerks. We have a Dominique rooster that is the sweetest ever ! We've also had several golden comets that we just love ! You are so right, they are very sweet hens. Had one that stayed right under your feet until you picked her up and talked to her. She loved attention.
Fallen in love with my Buff Orphington (my one and only layer of 5 right now.) Not so much my RIR and Red Star. Waiting for my Red sex linked to start laying. Great video. Thanks! :)
Black Australorps have always worked beautifully for my family, but we live in Australia and they're literally designed for our weather conditions - plus we don't want broodies so that works for us.
T Nicholas yes I totally agree with you there, The Australorps are bred for the Aussie climate, I have found them to be great for our conditions, good layers, placid birds and they do go broody also. I have the utility breed so they are top layers, I would like to get some of the heritage ones also, they are a bit heavier and more placid, I guess you have to be Aussie to appreciate them.
Kaye Schlenert no, she appreciates them. The australorp used to be in her top three favorites.
Loving your videos Patara, keep it up. I feel the same way about my buff orps, my buff orp rooster is extremely nice with my family and I, got him for free off of craigslist and plan on hatching my own chicks this spring. Am looking forward to trying the sexlinks. Again I love the videos keep it up and merry Christmas
Love your videos!
I have always had Rhode Island Reds but the las 8 months I have white rocks and yes they are good the reds are just mean I think that I will try the buff Orpington next thanks for the videos
Hey Ontario here. lol and you are right. Not every situation is going to be the same.
New sub here.
Had a couple buffs in our batch that were broody. Love our lorpes but I agree they are not the top egg makers in the hen house.
Thanks for the news on white rocks.
I hope you get this message. I did alot of research and took in alot of homestead opinions. My goal off grid is to be completely self sufficient well 98%. So I chose the Easter Eggers due to cold hardiness and disposition, same why I chose the Buff orpingtons. I did get 3 bantams because I can use them to babysit eggs and why not have a couple cuties! I am keeping my breeding hens separated for clean lines. Thank you for your video, I am in KY mountains and my dad is in FL says get different chickens but like you said, all depends on purpose, preference and location. I just dont wanna over elaborate to my dad. Love him too much. Thank you again for your video and honesty. Kind regards, J.W
Our top 3 breeds here are english buff orpingtons, white leghorns and my golden comets. If I could choose a fourth it would be my easter eggers
Thank you great info
Thanks for all of your wonderful advice! Could you do another video on Easter Eggers?
I love love love my Orphington . Awesome Mommas, wonderfully friendly, awesomely friendly rooster. I love these birds the most!! We have RIR, Easter Eggs, Brahmas..but nothin like my Orphington .
We have had great success with our gold sex links here in west Tx. Planning to get a flock of buffs in the spring. Could you recommend some videos of meat bird info. We are going for egg production for our selves plus too sell so I think we are handing in the direction there but one of goals is to have a butcher meat flock to feed the family running in some kind of cycle thing if that makes since. I'd like to say thank you Patara because I've learned so much from you and the resources you mention in the videos I always look forward to your new videos.
awww I was looking to see the buffs in this vid
I've tried red star's (red sex link). The were the best natured, and best producing hens I have tried. Now you've got me thinking about trying the black star's.
I have had nothing but great success from them! ;-) Thanks for watching! xo
Always appreciate your perspective. I love my barred rock hens (Velma and Veronica) and my RIR girl Betty is a bit aloof but can be sociable but you can't beat them for production. My bantam Cochin Frizzle Roo is the devil lol but takes care of his girls. I have a polish hen Lola (she was a showgirl-Copacabana) is beautiful but does not like to be touched. Our RIR rooster so far is very sweet but I know things can change. It was so nice to see Mr. Peaches and you of course lol. Blessings and Hugs from Texas
Our 11 Rhode Island Red hens are giving us 11 eggs a day. Solar powered lights and drinking water heater keeping up so far here in PA.
I've had a number of different breeds, though not quite as many as you, Patara. I've said it before, totally, totally in love with the buff orpingtons. Also love my white rocks and barred rocks. I like my golden laced wyandottes for how they look and how hardy they are, especially in the cold, but mine have always been super skittish, no matter how much their handled and treated etc. I'll never again have a RIR rooster every last one I've had has had to be culled because of it getting super aggressive. I currently have a "mutt" roo that I'm raising up. He's a mix of white rock and buff orpington and man is he great. Super sweet, looks out for his small group of ladies. I'll be replacing the big man with him once he's all grown up. This spring i'll be setting up a separate area for more buffs. Take care y'all.
I'm a very small farm and after a lot of research I settled on Black Jersey Giants. I love them, They started laying at around seven months which is younger then what I thought. I have 15 hens and I was getting an average of 11 eggs a day.They aren't laying right now, I'm in East Texas and the weather just started to cool down plus I have a couple molting. I did have one go Broody last month and since I had no rooster I got a couple of silky eggs from another lady and she hatched them out just fine. I love them. The only thing I've noticed is that they do retain most of their natural instincts so mine can be a bit flighty.
I love my Buff Orpingtons. I just did a video about them.
I am a buff orpington fan and golden comets as well. I currently have the comets I want to add buff orpingtons we have barred rocks that are awesome.
if possible I'd love to see how you sort the rosters and hens for breeding stock aimed at egg production. haven't found much information on it and that which I did find was actually mixed facts. just wanted to know your take on culling your flock. please and thank you, we love you and your videos!
I love your videos
Was wondering if you tried the New Hampshire. I usually use a buff Orpington chick as a train for my baby turkeys. They just help the new turkeys learn to eat and where the food and water is. They do so well at that, But last time they were out of them, but I got a New Hampshire. She is a great trainer and seems very friendly too.
Livestock is illegal in my neighborhood so I do my animal lifestyle with my rescued Eskie canines since 2 of my 3 service babies passed away this past 12 months. I do knit cook and will be planting again when it's that time.
Amber Marie maybe you could get some bantams or silkies they are classified as a cage bird in some areas here in Australia, you may just get around it that way
Work to get your ordinances changed. It can be done, it took me 18 months to gather a group of like minded people and work to change our city's and now I am back to having hens.....even though I'm stuck in the city now... :-(
excellent info!!
Right now I have 8 supposed pure breeds and 2 half marans/God only knows which breed is mama. I don't have a farm, I just have a backyard barnyard. My Marans hen has not laid since August, so I do not recommend them. It may just be this line, but since I am so small scale, it isn't worth messing with. The 2 marans roos we had were gorgeous. Again, small scale, so we culled one of them. Very tasty, even if older than typical meat bird age. When I got into the whole chicken in the backyard venture, I did try to get dual purpose breeds that would be good for our area. I figured that the resulting mixes would be also good for the area. I do hope that the Marans roos do not affect future egg production.
Y-Thank you that was interesting and I enjoyed it.
GOD'S JOY.
White Rocks are incredible!
My Buffs are are great... friendly and they produce most of the winter. But I also breed sex links that produce everyday all year long without additional light in the winter. My oldest ones are over two years old and haven't missed a day yet. They are Rhode Island White hens bred to my Rhode Island Red rooster. White Rocks bred to a RIR rooster will work good too.
Love your videos ,why do you not want any more australorps I am thinking about getting some and trying to learn all about them thanks
I have found the rhode island red rooster to be the meanest roosters. I will not have another one. I love buff orpingtons and my blue orpington roosters are sweet too. My two year old chases them around the yard and they have never once tried to hurt him.
i LOVEEE buff orpingtons i dont have much chickens but all of them are buff orpingtons
When you go to cull the buffs you may find them to be fatty carcasses as we did. Ok if you like schmaltz and you use it... surprised me as I wasn't particularly expecting it.
Your cat is so beautiful!
I've raised chicken's for years now and the buffs are for most the best ones I've raised over the years
Love that cat !!!!!!
He's my sweetie. ;-)
Great video thanks. And thanks for not doing this video in the barn where it gets awfully loud. LOL!
Buff Orpingtons work great for nothern New England. Great meat and egg bird.
I know this video is almost a year old, but I was hoping you might answer a question. For me, sustainability is about self sufficiency. You seem to touch on that when you talk about encouraging birds to go broody, isn't it a great thing when your flock replenishes itself. So here's my question, do sex links lose their hybrid vigor over time? Or do you have to keep buying them every time you need to replenish your stock. For my future I'd like to be able to replenish my own flock without needing to back to the hatchery each time.
TL;DR How do you keep your sex links producing for many generations down the road?
I liked what you said about the chickens. I never had chickens before (did 350 acre horse farm {Zimbabwe}, and 75 acre commercial rice farm {Philippines}). Commercial farming and small homesteading/farming are completely different. I have done much research and watched FAAAAARRRRR TTTOOOOO MMAAAANNNY videos about homesteading!! And awaiting my delivery of the books you suggested about chickens/homesteading. I am seriously considering to get 6 each of Ancona, Araucana, Jersey Black Giants, Buff Minorca, White Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, and Speckle Sussex. These will be the starting batch of chickens flocks. With each type in its own coop (so I can check on results closer). After 18 months of learning from this batch, I am hoping to increase my flocks. Does anyone have any comments or recommendations about these flocks????? The small barn yard will be 3/4 acre.
I have red star and buffs, love them both. have always had buffs first year with red star. I have a buff rooster like a grizzle bear, even the dog won't go near him, sneaks around you attacks from behind.
most buff roosters aren't mean just very protective of flock
Hey Petera, I’ve recently become the proud mama of chickens and wanted to share my experience with you. I have 5 Buff Orpington hens and a rooster. They’re 8 months old and so far I’ve been extremely pleased! I’m about to add a new coop and start raising a few Bantam Buffs because one of my Buffs, sweet Pearl, is being bullied by the others due to her small size. Plus I can use the bantam eggs for many purposes. My Buff Rooster, Jorge, is extremely protective of his girls and flogs me every day! He hates me being anywhere near “his” girls! Both my legs are covered in bruises, bite and scratch marks. But, I love him and appreciate how well he cares for and protects my hens. I’ve been told he “should” calm down once he reaches a year and half??? I’m going to hang in there a little longer and see what happens. My Hens starting laying eggs at about 5 months old and laid all through the winter. I’ve now started selling the eggs because I have so many! I can’t wait until they have babies, I’ve heard it’s an awesome experience to watch how the mama hens care for and teach their young. I’ve learned so much these past 8 months and learn more every day. It amazes me how smart these chickens are and how they communicate with each other. The other day when I was cleaning out their coop I witnessed my Mockingbirds ( my 4 acre yard is covered in Mockingbirds) sending out their warning signal of danger and Jorge actually understood their warning and instructed the hens to take cover as he paced and watched until the coast was clear. Not only do the chickens communicate with each other, but the mocking birds also ensure that my chickens are safe! I think that’s amazing! Anyway, I enjoying your videos and plan on saving my old pine chips and starting a chicken garden or back to Eden garden, as you put it. I had no idea such a thing existed! I also didn’t realize how wonderful chicken poo was until I started watching your videos 😂😂😂
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! ~Hope from Georgia 🐣🐥💩❤️
well I know what you mean my Wyandotte is more regular than my black austrolorps, not sure I am gonna continue with the latter. my leghorns obviously out laid any breed during molt (they laid eggs during molt at about 1 egg every other day) but have slacked off a bit since winter hit. I have 1 EE well really she is an olive egger and she lays about everyday and she is over a year. so I have some individual birds I want to cross.
I made up my mind I'm getting buff orpingtons those are going to be our egg and our meat chickens I might decide to get the white rocks I've looked into those those are pretty good thanks a lot for the videos
White rock are great like your vido
I've been trying to find a good hen for Michigan. I have only had 1 year in 10 where they laid during the winter.
This past spring I added some Rhode Island Red Heritage Breed to my flock. They are without a doubt much friendlier than the hatchery RIR's. They are a little darker color and bigger as well. They were hatched in late April so less than a year old. Once they started laying they have been so far going like gang busters even though at this point their eggs are still pullet sized but getting a bit bigger. I have a rooster as well and hes a big boy. So far hes not made any sign of wanting to attack me even though I do keep an eye on him. Up to now I am extremely satisfied with these birds and if all goes well hope maybe one of my other chickens will go broody this spring and I'll attempt to hatch some more of these big beauties. I also have some barred rock hens that I really like and with my RIR Heritage I am thinking maybe some black sex links perhaps.
My white rock rooster Runt is a sweetie:)
Any more videos on White Rocks?
I have barred rocks and buff orbingtons in MA there both great layers. The barred rock roaster is absolutely beautiful but is the biggest A-hole I've ever seen. I don't even have to turn my back to him, cause he comes charging soon as anyone enters the pen, but he does watch out for his girls. My 80lb lab doesn't even go anywhere near him anymore. So needless to say he will be destined for the freezer soon cause I don't trust him near my 2yr old daughter . I will try a buff roaster in the spring. Thanks
I've had the same experience with black australorps (meyer hatchery stock) - not living up to the legend - they are just not great layers. Easter eggers stopped laying completely sometime in November - haven't had a green or blue egg since then. Gold laced Wyandottes - pretty with small eggs and not super productive layers, but could be super meaty on the table in a pinch. One Meyer Golden layer- super productive - its been a rare day indeed that she does not give a big beautiful roundish dark brown egg - super layer! Barred rock hen is a very good layer and biggest fattest hen - yummy. But boy for some reason I just love Speckled Sussies - real personality, best foragers by far and sooo beautiful - average layers. I will definitely be including Buff Orps in my next order - I've noticed old timers with lots of experience will 9 times out of 10 recommend the Buffs. May I ask if you've considered Cochins as broodies - smarter than Silkies and tag team rearing efforts including the roosters I understand. Thanks for another great video!
do you have any trouble with predator birds getting your white rocks? I always heard that the lighter colored hens attract more hawks, eagles, etc. so I have always shyed away from them. I tried New Hampshires this year and LOVE them.....until we were below zero for a few days and those big floppy combs got frost bite.....I'm hoping for a broody so I can get some Speckled Sussex eggs next spring. I was glad to hear you like them, that's a good recommendation to listen to. And by the way, whoooo- hoooo, we passed the shortest day of winter so we are headed in the right direction!!
I tried Bieleflelders. They don't lay very well. 6 months and they stop. The roosters are big and friendly. I did raise 5 roosters from eggs and processed them after 5 months. They were big and meaty, but I hated doing it because they really are sweet. I have two Bielefelder Roosters, Ben and Elvis. They will be around forever as pets. The hens... well free loaders. Because the Bielefelder hens stopped laying I bought twelve white leghorn hens... well you know they lay big white eggs and right at 5 months they began laying and boy do they lay. They are flighty but that does not bother me a bit. After Ben and Elvis live out their days I think I am going to try the white rocks... the only hesitation I have is the feed thriftiness of the leghorns is tempting. I may just get a couple white leghorn males and call it a day, but the white rocks do seem very nice.
I have australorps and I'm not impressed yet. May switch to some buff orphingtons or white rock come spring. Maybe work some in as the old girls get cycled out lol.
have you tried Dorkings great egg layers broody in the spring and forages
Robert Noraas. Thanks for the input in Dorkings. I have been thinking of getting some but can't find anyone local that has raised them. I was thinking they wouldn't lay well so it's nice to hear you say they are good layers. I raised Javas, another really old breed, and really was disappointed with how slow the matured and how poorly they played.
What are great non aggressive breeds to include in a flock with Buff Orpingtons which are primarily a non aggressive low on pecking order breed in your opinion. I live in the Northern Illinois. Looking to have a total flock of 60 birds and I would have separate meat birds.
Try the buff rock
Hot weather? What breed.
Can you breed the sexlinks however (do you have and maintain the component birds in the appropriate sexes) if things got difficult and you couldn't just order them somewhere? Or you could interbreed them and come up with derivatives that work. I prefer to go with something that is good the way it is and can reproduce like birds off the bat in a bad situation. I've chosen orpingtons.....hands down...the docile temperament is important. I won't maintain an especially aggressive animal on my property.....even with that there are exceptions that do occur that have to be culled out.
I would love to hear more about Brahmas. Have you ever done a video about them? I live in a small city in IA. I am allowed to have a handful of chickens. I was thinking about getting Brahmas because they are docile, friendly and best of all fairly quiet (don't want to make enemies with the neighbors). What are your thoughts?
I have several. I have found them to be very friendly and productive birds. ;-)
their are chickens that lay EGGs in winter?
I am looking for super friendly (we have 8 kids) great egg producing hens. I am looking at getting 25. I would like a little variety at least more than one type. I also would like at least one broody type hen. Any advice? Thanks! Oh and we are in NW Pa in the Allegheny National Forest.
I was wondering is there a reason you house yout buffs seperate? We have just buffs but looking to add more kinds.
I started with Delawares and Buff Orps. I love Buffs they are the great. But I acquired Pita Pintas and I couldnt think of a better chicken than them. In fact I have a couple Pita Buff crosses and they are great birds.
Pitas are incredible. (Not the largest meat bird but decent enough on the males)
Look at this forum on BYC www.backyardchickens.com/t/920104/the-pita-pinta-asturiana
Too bad they are so rare.
Ill continue to raise Delawares Buffs and Pitas I have not had much luck with Cream Legbars as far as blue egg layers I have a couple of Easter Eggers but hope to get some U of A (Arkansas) Blue egg layers.
Pitas are almost the perfect chicken in my opinion. All the temperament of a Buff excellent foragers they do go broody non aggressive roosters. Generally calm and quiet Heat hardy (not sure about cold but they have small combs generally so should do well)
While all the other birds mob me at feeding and treats the Pitas are polite and friendly. When their free range time is up the are easy to usher back to their pen. Good mamas just cant say enough good about them.
I have 6 Buff Orpinton hens and three Black sex link hens (had 4 but one ran away.) Love my girls. They are still laying to beat the band. I watched a you tuber say not to expect the hens to lay until they were a year old. All of mine started laying at about 6 or 7 months. I am in Iowa so I really wanted something that would be good in cold weather. So far so good and we were -13 last weekend (not counting wind chill.) Are the white rocks good cold climate bird? Thinking about expanding just a little next year if everything goes ok this winter.
What would you recommend for cold climates like Canada? I'm currently doing my homework and totally appreciate your specifics!
Welsummers & Icelandics
1264 pandora Also worth considering chanteclers, they were bred in Canada and are great winter layers (also excellent meat production for a heritage breed)
do you have a place or website that is good to get chicks from? I live in NeTN. Thanks! love your videos.
Do you know anyone with brown leghorns. Just curious I like their color for foraging and camo from hawks etc. not sure about their temperament and laying capabilities though.
I have brown leghorns. Love them. I think they are beauties.