Whether you are starting a new flock or increasing the existing one, the availability of numerous kinds of chicken breeds to choose from, makes it a daunting task.
As someone said, it’s like dating; you have to evaluate the available options and understand before making commitment to any. An informed decision with regard to the chicken breed will save you from many troubles and disappointment.
Yes! The wrong selection of chicken breed can lead to disappointment as well. You have to understand and evaluate certain factors to make sure both you and your flock remains healthy and happy.
Factors to Consider While Choosing the Chicken Breed
While experienced chicken keepers already know much about different breeds, beginners only get confused by the hundreds of available varieties. How to know which one is right for you?
This article is intended to help you with this very question. Do take into account the following factors to make your endeavour a successful one:
1. Your Needs
Identifying your needs for keeping chickens is perhaps the most important factor. Do you want to raise chickens just for the sake of pleasure? Are you an egg enthusiast? Is meat your concern? Or you want all of these?
Most of the backyard chicken keepers want hens that can lay eggs consistently, for a longer period of time.
If you are one of them, do not go for broody breeds as they prefer hatching over egg laying. White Silkie, particularly Freida, is known as the best mother.
While this is not suggested for the egg lovers, a flock of broody breeds is ideal for professional farmers.
Sussex and Rhode Island Red breeds are reliable egg layers, but they are really active and hence, could damage your garden. In general, hybrids are considered as the most productive when it comes to egg laying.
There are other types of chicken keepers who want both eggs and meat supply from their flocks. ‘Dual purpose breeds’ are ideal for them. Some of the dual purpose chicken breeds are:
- Wyandotte
- Plymouth Rock
- Orpington
- Australorp
- New Hampshire Red
2. The Chickens’ Needs and Behaviour
In addition to considering your own requirements, it is highly important to think about the needs of the chickens you are going to raise. For example, some chickens’ breeds are born foragers so, be ready to see your garden being damaged if you are opting for one of them. The broody chickens would need separate spaces for hatching eggs so, make sure you have enough space where these hens can sit on eggs for days without being disturbed.
In addition to the fact that they don’t lay eggs, the major reason that many people prefer hens over roosters is their behaviour. They are generally too noisy, and love to fight among themselves. But, some chicken keepers do keep a couple of roosters because they are wonderful protectors of the flock. Those who need a continuous supply of fertilized eggs, professional farmers, also include roosters in their flocks.
3. Climate
The climate of your area also plays a great role in breed selection as it can greatly affect the health of your pets. For example, if you live in a region where the temperature can go very hot, the very feathery breeds, such as the Brahman, is not suitable for you. Similarly, if you live in an area where the temperature gets too low, naked neck breed would not survive the harsh winters.
