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looking for a chicken variety...?
I'm looking for a suitable chicken variety for the backyard.
Ideally the chicken would be at least 8 pounds (the bigger the better), and have utilitarian use too.
Egg laying ability is more important than meat quality, because I have the feeling I'm gonna get attached to them.
Personality wise, I would like them to be non aggressive but confident and not easily startled, and I'm sure the neighbors would appreciate it if I got one that doesn't roam, rarely or never flies, and doesn't make much noise.
Thank you in advance.
Oh, and also I would like one that is cold and heat tolerant and also fairly disease resistant
1 Answer
- SaraLv 78 years agoFavorite Answer
Most chicken varieties that will get close to eight pounds don't make good laying birds. They're intentionally bred to grow very quickly in a short amount of time, and be ready for processing in 6-8 weeks. Most will usually only live a few months beyond that.
A slightly smaller variety, but one that fits your needs well, is the Buff Orpington. They're a dusty red color. They don't look it, but the hens usually weigh 5-6 pounds. They're very low key birds, and most of the ones I've had will come sit on your lap if you let them. As long as they've been well fed and have access to a nice fenced yard, they don't really wander off much.
Most chickens are fairly hardy when it comes to weather. As long as they have a shed or coop they can go in and out of as they want, and the building is free of drafts, they should be fine. Chicks shouldn't be moved outside until almost all of their primary (adult) feathers.
Ideal Poultry will ship them next day to your door, and I've used them for years and have never had a problem. You can also find a lot of good breed information on their website. I would also suggest you get a copy of Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens. It's a great help regardless of how many birds you have.
Hope this helps, but if you have other questions, feel free to email me through my profile and I'd be more than happy to help.
