Chicken Breeds from 2013, 2014 and 2015

Chickens are probably the easiest livestock to manage on a farm.  We purchase our chickens from Fry's Hatchery through our Local TSC store here in Leamington.  Here are the three breeds we have purchased over the last few years.

Back in the spring of 2013 we purchased "Rhode Island Reds".  This is a multi purpose bird for both eggs and meat, which is what we wanted.  We ended up with a single rooster amongst our flock who was quite a gentlemen in that he would make clucking sounds to call the hens when he found something neat in the yard to eat. Egg production was good (about one a day per hen) and cleaning the chickens for the freezer wasn't too difficult. The size of the chickens were also ideal for the two of us in having white meat for sandwiches and dark meat for stir fry.  This flock was also good natured overall.

"Rhode Island Red" rooster from our 2013 flock.  Photo by Marianne Balkwill

 

In 2014 we decided to try a mixed flock of Barred Plymouth Rocks and Columbian Rock X.  We ended up getting a rooster yet again in the Barred Plymouth Rocks.  Both breeds got along together and egg production was good as well (about 1 per day per hen).  When it came to cleaning the birds for meat, the Barred Plymouth Rocks had a lot of feathers to pluck and were quite small, so we decided on not having this breed anymore.  The Columbian Rock X breed were easier to clean and were similar in size for meat as the "Rhode Island Reds".  The Barred Plymouth Rocks were a little more skittish towards us whereas the Columbian Rock X breed were quite friendly and would even jump up onto your lap or shoulder.

Barred Plymouth Rock hen from our 2014 flock.  Photo by Marianne Balkwill

In 2015 we decided to have a pure flock of Columbian Rock X. This time we didn't end up with a rooster.  This created an interesting hierarchy amongst the hens and they were a little unruly even towards us.  For a while they even developed a habit of pecking at our legs and even chasing us.  It seems like having a rooster around definitely keeps the hens a little more inline.

Columbian Rock X hen from our 2014 flock.  Photo by Marianne Balkwill

After trying these three breeds we seem to be the happiest with the Rhode Island Reds, especially if we get a rooster with the flock.  They are fairly good natured, especially the more time you spend with them when they are young.