What is the best breed of chicken to raise?

Answer 1

If you want pet chickens get them as babies, they will be tamer when the grow up and they will let you hold them. Also bantoms chckens would be good because they are smaller and easier to look after. :)

Answer 2

The best chickens to keep are those that best suit your personal purposes. It really does depend whether you want the chicken to produce meat, eggs or be a good show bird. Some types of chickens are also easier to keep cooped up in a back yard than others. Yet other types make better pets for children or can tolerate more handling by humans.

In terms of being high producers of eggs there are quite a few chickens that can be a good backyard pet. If you like dark brown or light brown eggs then try raising Rhode Island Reds. The Barnevelder standard chicken or even the Bantam is also a high producer that usually lays between 180 and 200 eggs a year.

If you like white eggs or eggs that have light pastel tinge to them then you might want to consider raising Dorkings. However Dorkings only produce medium sized eggs.

If you are looking for the producer of those exotic dark chocolate brown shelled eggs then it is the eggs of the Maran that you are after.

If you are looking for a chicken that is a good pet then try the Barnevelder. This is also a prized bird on hobby farms because it produces perfect little yellow chicks that stay looking like chicks for weeks. It The fact that they make such cute chicks that grow quite large and strong make them good pets for children as babies like this are not likely to be damaged by handling.

Yet another friendly little chicken that makes a good pet is the Ancona "Italian" breed of chicken which is rounder, lighter and less aggressive than most. The Australian Australorp was also specifically bred to be a good well mannered pet and in fact Australorps are a common backyard pet in Australia. The absolutely worst chickens you could raise for a pet are the Old English Game Hens which were known as the original cockfighters.

If you are raising a chicken for eating then the Sussex is a good choice as it is a heavier bird with lots of breast meat. It is one of the better of the dual purpose birds to raise is you are looking at animals that can both be used as a good egg layers and as roasters and broilers. Another bird that is a good dual-purpose bird to raise is the Wyandotte which lays a healthy layer of big brown eggs and is also known for its juicy meat.

Another concern might be whether or not the chicken is a hardy breed that can stand cold weather. If this is a consideration fro your then you might want to stick with the more durable breeds like the Rhode Island Red. The Dorking is also one of the most hardy and durable birds in existence and the Chantecler from Canada is bred to withstand extreme cold. It can live in a colder coop and can bear being penned up in a darker space with a roof. They are good setters and easily become broody (good mothers.)

If you are looking for birds to show off at exhibitions any Bantam style of chicken is a good choice. These miniature versions of larger chickens (standard) are really making a splash especially at exhibitions in Canada and the United Kingdom. Another trendy chicken to show are any of the Black or White Orpingtons that hail from Australia.

There is also a retro passion lately for showing off the latest in game chickens including the famous Old English cock fighters and to groom them in the fashion for fighting which included culling the cock's combs.

Answer 3

The best breed of chicken to raise depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some popular choices for backyard flocks include Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks, and Australorps for their hardiness and egg-laying abilities. Consult with local farmers or agricultural experts to choose a breed that suits your climate and goals.

Answer 4

Orpingtons, Faverolles, Sussex, Australorps, Barred Hollands, Spitzhauben, Cochins, Polish, Silkies, Ameraucanas, Marans, and many other breeds make great pets.