Planning ahead - breed suggestions! Your favs?

[littlecoopnextdoor]

I've read lots of other threads but I have some questions.
Recently I lost my sweet Speckled Sussex, Squeak, at 19 weeks. She had a chronic crop issue that seemed to eventually take her. It was quite awful and very sad. I loved her and she was a very sweet chicken so I am considering adding another of her breed to the flock in the spring. But - are certain breeds prone to crop issues? I have two chickens currently, a feather footed cuckoo Maran (Buttercup) and a Blue Star (Sugarcube) that are now 21 weeks old. I think the best time to add more would be in the spring when I can take space to introduce them properly and it's not winter. What would you add? Two more max, and of course I'm fine with two different breeds. Do you think I should find young pullets or do chicks? I can't have roosters so if chicks, what are easiest to purchase reliably sexed? TLDR: what are you favourite gentle chicken breeds that are quiet, good in cold climates, and friendly?

 

[kurby22]

I've read lots of other threads but I have some questions.
Recently I lost my sweet Speckled Sussex, Squeak, at 19 weeks. She had a chronic crop issue that seemed to eventually take her. It was quite awful and very sad. I loved her and she was a very sweet chicken so I am considering adding another of her breed to the flock in the spring. But - are certain breeds prone to crop issues? I have two chickens currently, a feather footed cuckoo Maran (Buttercup) and a Blue Star (Sugarcube) that are now 21 weeks old. I think the best time to add more would be in the spring when I can take space to introduce them properly and it's not winter. What would you add? Two more max, and of course I'm fine with two different breeds. Do you think I should find young pullets or do chicks? I can't have roosters so if chicks, what are easiest to purchase reliably sexed? TLDR: what are you favourite gentle chicken breeds that are quiet, good in cold climates, and friendly?

I lost two chickens to persistent crop issues and my vet said it’s more common in poorly framed birds not really certain breeds…essentially if their bone structure is smaller or narrower than they should be, their insides have less space to move things thru their body. Both birds of mine were thinner and had very small, narrow bone structures :-( I loved them both so very much, it made me so sad I couldn’t do more :-(

As for your other question, I love my Salmon Faverolle if you don’t mind feathered feet! They are super sweet, can handle the cold, and have great personalities. I’m also very partial to Orpingtons and Ameraucanas and EEs. If you are only getting a couple and for sure want females, you might look at local breeders that offer grow outs, or hatcheries that offer started pullets. I’m super hands on and like raising them from chicks, but I think 6-8 week old pullets would be okay too!

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

I lost two chickens to persistent crop issues and my vet said it’s more common in poorly framed birds not really certain breeds…essentially if their bone structure is smaller or narrower than they should be, their insides have less space to move things thru their body. Both birds of mine were thinner and had very small, narrow bone structures :-( I loved them both so very much, it made me so sad I couldn’t do more :-(

As for your other question, I love my Salmon Faverolle if you don’t mind feathered feet! They are super sweet, can handle the cold, and have great personalities. I’m also very partial to Orpingtons and Ameraucanas and EEs. If you are only getting a couple and for sure want females, you might look at local breeders that offer grow outs, or hatcheries that offer started pullets. I’m super hands on and like raising them from chicks, but I think 6-8 week old pullets would be okay too!

oh that's so interesting about the framing. I do think her issue must have been genetic as so much of what she was going through was 'old birds' problems. she was a sweetie. she was my first Sussex so I have no idea if she was narrower than most, she was rather round? I've heard good things about salmon faverolles. I'm in a few local groups and often folks have young pullets that they're rehoming so it's something I'd consider for sure. I liked raising the baby chicks this time (first time) and thankfully the hatchery was correct with all of them being female thank you for your suggestions!

 

[hotpotato3]

I love olive eggers mine are so docile and have very pretty eggs. I also like polish they do not lay as many eggs but totally make up for it because of how sweet they are

 

[kurby22]

oh that's so interesting about the framing. I do think her issue must have been genetic as so much of what she was going through was 'old birds' problems. she was a sweetie. she was my first Sussex so I have no idea if she was narrower than most, she was rather round? I've heard good things about salmon faverolles. I'm in a few local groups and often folks have young pullets that they're rehoming so it's something I'd consider for sure. I liked raising the baby chicks this time (first time) and thankfully the hatchery was correct with all of them being female thank you for your suggestions!

You're welcome! I'm sure it is not the only reason these things happen to them, but in my case it was definitely the issue. You really can't go wrong since chickens are awesome. Good luck!!

 

[Tonyroo]

Go with pullets if you can't deal with potential cockerels from chicks.

I only keep Swedish flower hen and I think there great. Zero health issues going on 3 years strong.

I'm also trying out a Barbu de watermael cockerel. Tiny bantam.

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

I love olive eggers mine are so docile and have very pretty eggs. I also like polish they do not lay as many eggs but totally make up for it because of how sweet they are

I love polish but do you find they get picked on at all? are they okay in the cold?

 

[hotpotato3]

some of the more assertive breeds can bully Polish chickens more because of hew docile they are