A little backstory. I grew up with regular Rhode Island Reds and sex-links at my parents farm, they were dual purpose for eggs and meat.
Now that I have my own place I’m building a coop and run for 4-6 hens, no roosters.
I’d like a fancy breed or breeds. As far as colours go I love the anything barred or laced. I’m looking for some advice on which breeds would be friendly, cold hardy, not too broody, and come in my favourite colours. I don’t really care if they lay an egg every day or once a week, they’ll be pets more than anything. Although I may throw an Easter Egger in the mix, we don’t eat many eggs so it might be easier to sell or give them to friends if the eggs “look cool”.
I’m also curious about showing chickens. Had anyone done it? I think it could be kind of fun to try if I could find some show quality birds. There are 4-5 fairs within 30 minutes of me every year that have poultry classes.
Check out Cochins–they come in full-size and bantam versions, and in the colors you like. Mine were very tame from day one, and did fine in NE PA. Very charming birds!
The double laced barnevelders are STUNN. Starting with a solid color bird will be less difficult.
Colors are different than patterns. Colors are red, buff, white, blue etc. and patterns are laced, barred, cuckoo etc. So you’ll have to determine your favorite base color and then pattern. Some of the breeds with the patterns you like would be Cochins (which tend to be VERY broody), Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Cornish, Barnevelder…I would try to determine what “fancy” means to you. Is is lots of unique feathering or unusual coloring. One person’s “fancy” is another person’s “no thanks!”
I’m also going to suggest Backyard Chickens! Lot of pictures and information…Good luck and enjoy your chickens!
@Megaladon I’m assuming the blood testing is for disease prevention? Is it sanctioned shows requiring it? Or is that a state thing when moving poultry? I’m having trouble finding any requirements like that for the small fairs around here. My idea of showing chickens is more along the lines of taking a nice bird out if I have one, and meeting other locals who have chickens. I have no intention of breeding (don’t want a rooster), and wouldn’t bother travelling very far. They’ll be pets more than anything.
As far as colours go I’d prefer white or blue, but it’s the patterns that I’m more interested in. Particularly laced or barred.
And yes my definition of “fancy” is limited to unique patterns. I’m not a fan of unique feathering such as silkies or naked necks.
I do have an old copy of the SOP that I’ve skimmed through a bit. It does a good job of colours, patterns, etc. But doesn’t get into much on “personalities”.
Thanks @Simkie for the tip on crested cream legbars, I knew they had pretty eggs but I didn’t realize they were autosexing.
I’m not sure what testing requirements are for showing, but looking into what is required for NPIP in your state might get you started on the right path.
Something else to consider for fancy eggs would be cuckoo marans. Nice dark eggs, and they’ve been in the US for quite some time, so you should be able to find some quality birds? I don’t have cuckoo, but I do have black copper and birchen marans, and they are very nice birds. Nice to be around, not as chatty as the crested cream legbars.
Thanks @Simkie I’ve seen lots of black copper marans in the poultry facebook groups that I’m in but I don’t recall seeing and cuckoo marans. They would definitely fit almost everything on my “wish list”.
I’m in Canada so I’ve searched much of CFIA, OMAFRA, and Poultry Industry Council websites and it doesn’t seem that there are any requirements for transporting small flocks, just voluntary biosecurity measures. I guess if I can find a show quality bird I’ll quiz the breeder and/or call the show secretary well in advance.
You are absolutely correct. Here in the US a few years back we had a big Avian Influenza scare and there were zero chicken shows. I didn’t realize you are in Canada, so testing may be different. Even my tiny little County Fair requires blood testing.
You could look into the Chantecler chicken breed. Originated in Canada, comes in White, Buff and Partridge. Dominique is barred, considered an American Heritage breed, cold hardy and friendly. If you look up mypetchicken.com they give pretty good descriptions of breeds and their personalities. Just some ideas. Good luck!
