I purchased 4 Sapphire Gems from a friend laying size. I never thought I would love a chicken, but I love these, lol. Also we have a 8 year old black star who is from our original flock and she still lays eggs as well as gives snuggles. Any ideas? But change bedding every other day. Sometimes you will have sickly chicks that dont recover. Rhode Island Red. The smooth surface is easy to clean with a wet cloth or some running water. I would definitely recommend getting Americaunas! Some are nice. While the above breeds are typically the friendliest, they are far from the only friendly chicken breeds. Not only are they perfect in a backyard flock as active foragers and friends to your other chickens, but they are also going to consistently produce quality eggs. And all this comes in a lovely little personality too. She her sister,also production blues, will make sure a buddy is with her always. GIANT COCHIN I know all chickens are different, maybe we just got lucky, but she acts like a pet. The Roos are trying to crow and to cover. Standard Rhode Island White roosters weight about 3.9 kg and hens about 2.9 kg. Their coats also can vary quite a bit, with some chickens having a brighter red complexion, and others being almost black in color. Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Nobodys complaining, though. But I'm sure there's some people out there had the opposite experience with their Buff Orpington. He begged for food by jumping up and down. Some go gaga for these colors, and some seem to turn up their noses. will I need to get a different rooster? The motive of their development was to come up with a hardy breed that was more tolerant to harshness and achieve more or combined features of the parent stock. These chickens are great egg producers, and they dont appear to mind being confined, so theyre straightforward to care for. 1) In the early days, when you first bring the chicks home, talk to them gently using a soft voice, but resist the urge to pick them up. They are easy to train and can become quite sociable. They kept the excellent egg-laying trait of the Orpington and mixed in features from the Rhode Island Red, White Leghorn, and heritage breed chickens, including the Minorca and Langhsan.. She always seemed to be separate from the flock. Shes the last one in the coop and often we find her in the milking barn alone in the dark because she doesnt want to go inside the coop at all. The face, beaks, combs, wattles, and earlobes also have a blue hue to them that differentiates them from the usual red color. Green asphalt sloping roof to protect from water penetration. The Good Beautiful Calm Curious Rhode Island Red Characteristics. Some people prioritize traits such as egg production, cold hardiness, outward appearances if raising for the show, chicken size, or growth speed; for those of us backyard flock keepers, having the friendliest chicken breeds as our pets is a big reason we own chickens in the first place. That means the female chicks will have 0 copies of the barring and the male chicks will have 1 copy. I love your articles! One was DOA and 4 others were very weak and died within 24 hours. On the other hand we have Red our only Warren who will follow my grandson round the garden for hours looking for bugs with him. There are timber ridges above the ramp to protects your poultry from slipping back. So I have continued to keep Polish, as physician certified companion & therapy animals. Extremely gentle and comes when called. old, my mother decided to raise, what were called back in the day, exotics , which later were termed A Rhode Island Red with a single comb. And our chicken coop has a upgrade reinforced design, The pipe wall we use is twice as thick as the pipe wall of someone else's cheap chicken coop, Great for Outdoor Use: A durable UV and water-resistant cover can protect your chicken from the weather and outside elements. 12. Building your own DIY chicken brooder is a fun and affordable project to take on before you start your journey with raising chicks. Rhode Island Blues are known to be fantastic egg layers when compared to other similarly sized birds, such as the Orpington which lays about 175-200 eggs per year. Feb 16, 2023 #5 Amer Advocate of Shiloh Premium Feather Member 5 Years Nov 8, 2017 9,536 86,181 1,397 Rhode Island Blues are a medium, production bird - an excellent layer of large brown eggs. Love these girls! Blue Stars are a great favorite among our customers because of their beauty, laying abilities, and friendly . A dust bath with food grade DE should help a lot. The other 3 dont lay every day. 2023 Copyright ChickenCaretaker | ChickenCaretaker is reader-supported. We bring all the chicken-related knowledge together in one place to help make your life easier. I had a Cochin rooster I got him at 8weeks the first day he started following me around everywhere. In our flock she is a star! This treasured bird is said to be crossed with a Blue Plymouth rock and a Barred Plymouth Rock. DOMINIQUE 3) People-friendly chickens require chicken-friendly people. This may be foolish but the only other option is to eliminate the sapphire Gem. In short, interacting with chickens when they are chicks, feeding them, and handling them are mandatory when looking to establish a friendly flock. Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures. Amazing breed ! We have tried numerous things to help their feathers grow back but nothing has truly cured this. The other two adult hens are also standing up to her and telling her to be nice. This looks amazing when it is paired with the gray and blue colors, making the Rhode Island Blue a sight to behold. There you can at least see what you are getting. Mature females typically weigh 4 lbs. The funny thing is, I named them Stevie and Ding Dong. Because of your note, I am going to order a couple of golden crested Polish baby chicks for our roommate who is dealing with depression, in return for her helping with my baby chicks. I have a mixed flock of chickens now, as I always have had mixed flocks all of my life. Ive only had chickens for a year so this is all new to me. I finally talked my husband into getting chickens, easter eggers. 1 Rhode Island Red Quick Facts. It has a darker mahogany deep red plumage that appears black from far, large stature, and, of course, delicious meat. Nobody at Tractor Supply said anything about them being special or rare. Theyre one of the easiest chickens to keep, super gentle, are comfortable being held, and do well with children. The article says theyre cold hardy, but doesnt give any temperature or weather examples. Was giving them chick grit and going to look for something different today as well in case it is the food.. the other 7 seem to be doing well so maybe its just you lose some any suggestions? Its my first year of raising chickens and I got an assortment of 10 different breeds. And both of my rabbits died shortly after introducing cedar bedding to their cages. I think shes a little blind because she gets lost (separated from the group) sometimes while free ranging. Rhode Island Blue hens arent particularly broody, which is a common trait of breeds that are bred to produce a lot of eggs. Size and Weight. he doesnt have a very big comb either. I got them at Tractor Supply in Gastonia, NC. The first layer was only 4.5 months old when she started and from the beginning (besides two fairy eggs) shes layed large eggs. The chickens will dust bathe themselves. Consequently, they dont need you, they dont know what to make of you, and chances are they will avoid you. # 7. RHODE ISLAND RED Greatest little feller ever hatched. Are you sure you dont have the wrong breed, sometimes hatcheries lie, When your Saphire Gem Chickens first start laying eggs they will be smaller but then they will get bigger as they continue to lay eggs. They are highly curious, and will happily roam around your yard in search of a meal. By the late 1980s, the last remaining viable flock of Iowa Blues belonged to Ransome Bolson of Decorah, who obtained his starter flock from Logsdon's wife . They love nothing more than knowing their boundaries and sticking to them, which is why these sweet and fluffy giants make excellent backyard pets! I want to make sure I get a heating element ahead of time if I need one. Rhode Island Reds are a perfect choice if you have a family with young kids. Our sapphire gem, went into the woods and is laying on a nest. Wyandottes, Orpingtons, and Rhode Island Reds are some of the best dual-purpose chickens for beginners. This breed is a Rhode Island Red crossed with a Blue Australorp. # 8. They are now 4 months old. # 9. We get one very large egg from her every single day without fail. The Sapphire Gem chicken does well in all climates, with reports of withstanding cold winters with grace and without decreased production. White is a color that pops up as a sport in several breeds and then can be selected for over time to create a white variety. The Sapphire Gem has an upright appearance, similar to that of a Plymouth Rock, due to its genetics, and she sports a single comb atop her alert little head. So I just got my first chickens. The breed's fame derives from its ability to withstand Iowa's typical hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. What exactly are Rhode Island Blue chickens and are they dependable? Every evening at 4 he walked up my ramp and pecked on the door to be let in. Both the cockerel and the pullet sit on my shoulder daily, groom me lol, and hang out while I do chicken chores. Overall, the Rhode Island Blue are incredibly healthy birds, and this is largely due to their Rhode Island Red lineage. Rhode Island Red chickens are friendly and easy to handle. She would chase them but not hurt them. My grandkids love to cuddle with them and feed them meal worms. Your email address will not be published. The Jersey Giant pullets are very quiet for now too. They are solid, round chickens with calm, busy personalities. Three of mine are light gray and the rest are darker. I have had our sapphire gem for over a year. Another surprise is that most of the SGs lay green eggs, although therere supposed to be brown. As the name makes apparent, the blue Australorp is what was used when creating the Rhode Island Blue. CRESTED POLISH It is like it wants attentionwhen the others go about their business. she started to try to kill the babies. We ordered from tractor supply. Also have a area of sand or dry loose dirt for the chickens to take a dust bath . - The Happy Chicken Coop - All Rights Reserved. I would like to incubate some eggs and I dont want to waste any eggs. Blue from beak to toes, Blue Stars are the eye-catchers of the flock. Typically he\she will walk or even run over to the coop door when its opened, and gets as close to us as possible, as if, whats up? Well baby chicks, 2 Golden comets and 2 Sapphire gems. What breed do you like better the Rhode Island Red or the buff Orpington?!!! so will *all* Orpingtons, in general, be docile and have similar personality traits, or will they be noticably different according to what color you have? Easy Access Ramp Sliding door and ramp allows poultry to enter the raised housing area. I also have well water. Raised in Wisconsin, Leland has spent most of his life adjacent to the rich farmlands of the Midwest. You can bet that the popularity she has already gained will only continue to grow, maybe even as fast as that of the Easter Egger! Im no expert but everything Ive read says not to use cedar, it gives off toxic fumes. I have 6 SG (one week old) and have ordered 5 more day old chicks that will be in Friday. They immediately come to us, hop on or arms or into our hands, and dont put up too much of a fight while being held and we love how they follow us or come running when they see us. Love them! Any input would be appreciated. Because of their thick feathering, and the fact that they dont have large combs, Rhode Island Blues are resistant to the cold and arent usually affected by frostbite. Use something else for bedding. I plan on spending as much time with them as possible. This little engine can produce year-roundand has been said to lay up to a whopping 290 eggs per year! Cold weather climates can sometimes be an issue for different breeds of chickens; however, the Rhode Island Blue is a remarkably cold-hardy breed that can adapt to a variety of climates. The nice folks at Jenks said I wasnt the only one who had such trouble, they refunded the money for the dead one and the ones that died. 7 Simple Chicken Brooder Ideas To Raise Healthy Chicks. They are known for being incredibly docile and easygoing, and can even become lap chickens. They love to forage and investigate things that trigger their curiosity. Also, the small gaps between meshes add safety to your chicken that prevent them from some predators, Safety Lockable Steel Door Design: Lockable steel door with a latch and steel wire ties for extra safety, and easy for you to feed your chicken and clean the inside. May only get 1 or 2 eggs a day. All my other breeds are off and on in the mulch but the SGs are always at work turning out good mulch fo my gardens. Durable & WeatherproofSolid rain-resistant fir wood with Environmental painted keep the Poultry Hutch waterproof and not afraid of sun anymore. These chickens have a single variety, with pure white plumage. Rhode Island Blues are a cross between Rhode Island Reds and Australorp chickens. In fact, it is recommended that you get Buff Orpingtons if you have children that enjoy playing with the flock. Claire, I have a mixed flock of brown egg layers and the sapphire gem hens lay extra small eggs , pretty to look at but poor quality eggs. They are big birds though. They are healthy, resilient and will lay plenty of eggs for you. That way, as the flock changes there will be stability in the pecking order. Temperament can vary from strain to strain, country to country and according to the . I have raised my first batch of chicks from 1 week old, and have a mixed flock. And it is not easy to damage, which can prolong a long-term service time. AMERICAUNA Rhodies we called them, are friendly & as every article says, a good 1st breed for beginners. The most common combination is a Rhode Island Red rooster over a Barred Rock hen. Jersey Giant chickens are a very friendly, calm, and docile breed. 3 History & Origin. She is my largest hen, and probably a little overweight. $3 per egg. (Personality and egg laying) A hybrid only called RI Blue by one hatchery (Mt. They had a whole brooder full of them. AUSTRALORP Yes, chickens can be friendly and good pets. Our local Tractor Supply had them this past spring (but I didnt finish my brooder house until late this summer). So annoying when theres lightning. But my grand mother always said to add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to one quart of water. For example, dual-purpose and meat breeds tend to be mellow, while leaner layer hens are inclined to be anxious. Their soft, fluffy feathers feel like silk on a compact little body. As a little girl, our Speckled Sussex , bantam sized hen Penny ,was a sweet girl & loved sitting in my lap. They are great with children and make lovely pets. Anyway shes a fun smart bird that doesnt need supervision outside. While there are, of course, exceptions, for the most part, these stereotypes hold. This does not hold true for Rhode Island Reds and Rhode Island Whites though! Cochin chickens are happiest when they are close to home. Sprinkling some chick feed onto your hand can help encourage them. Leland is able to combine his love of writing and recent passion for agriculture by writing articles focused on a variety of aspects of farming and homesteading. Its also important to let them know youre the flock leader. There are many unique plans available with designs that can be 15 Best Chickens For Beginners: Full Breed Guide. They have featherless yellow shanks and toes. What exactly are Rhode Island Blue chickens and are they dependable? Most modern-day Rhode Island Red chickens are smaller than the original heritage line of Rhode Island Reds. So, for example I would expect Black and White Langshans to have the same temperament. My first flock so I dont know if this is normal We have had a few ourselves, and theyve always been incredibly friendly chickens. Also known as the Sapphire Blue Plymouth Rock or Blue Plymouth Rock, the Sapphire Gem is all the rage for novelty and specialty chicken fanciers. Weight: 5-6 lbs. Smallish and friendly, bearing confinement well, Australorps are a great breed for people looking for pet chickens in their backyard flock. Another important note about the bedazzling beauties is that they do not breed true. Very friendly. Most are blue all the way through but some have red feathers as well. Raving fans will happily tell anyone who will listen how incredibly calm and docile this chicken is. Let the chicks get used to their new life and recover from the trip to your house. Thanks, Abby , I recommend australorps theyre nice and quiet. She would come running to me from where ever she was when called by name and just hang out with us. Blue Star. I spend at least a half an hour a day with them and I try to teach them Im the head of the pecking order. She loves sitting on my lap and is super smart and social. Some of the best chickens to raise in your backyard are Buff Orpingtons, Dark Brahmas, La Fleches, Bantam Leghorns, and Bantam Araucana. To round out all of the above information, weve gathered the most common questions about the friendliest chicken breeds and answered them all in one convenient place for you. does this mean hes not fertile? Rhodebars are red with white barring which tends to be subtle in females but on full display in the males and there may be some black markings. but because of the postal service. WELSUMMER One of the RI Reds certainly has made an impression on me. Interesting cross. SILKIE Ive always told people that a Polish chicken, will follow you to Hell & back again, without batting an eye. You are using an out of date browser. If your flock mainly forages for food, they essentially have to fend for themselves. personality and temperament adaptability to confinement and/or free-ranging Other points to consider include whether a breed goes broody often a trait that is desirable if you want to hatch your own chicks naturally and docility, particularly for hens that will be part of a family flock where young children care for them. Some go gaga for these colors, and some seem to turn up their noses. They are a middle-of-the flock size and can hold their own amongst a mixed flock of chickens. Its me again! Really!? red star small and friendly good foragers murray macmurray used to have them and their cousins, the black star, lay an egg every day no matter the weather, I have barbed rocks and they literally rub on us like cats wanting attention. I bought 10 hens from Tractor Supply (Hoover Hatchery) in April. Its best to get them used to eating out your hand first and then start to stroke them with slow movements. They should be a high production (200-250 large eggs a year), brown egg laying breed. Some Silkies have beards, which almost totally obscure their faces, while others are beardless. Most of them have a yellow or white streak or dot on their head. Foraging is excellent for a chicken's health, as it allows them to eat a wide variety of nutrients. Im thinking about getting more birds this spring, but I dont have a good set up for chicks, so I am thinking about buying pullets. I have gone to this hatchery and they are very good. Another point is how the color varieties developed. More examples are: Will the personality of a Rhode Island Blue be much different that RIR? Also, winter hardy and good egg layers all year long, Faverolles have become a true favorite with families. They're a mix between RIRs and blue australorps. In general, Rhode Island Reds are people-lovers and comfortable with human contact and have the bonus of also being friendly with other members of their own flock. Rhode Island Blues other half, the Australorp, was developed for the sole purpose of laying eggs. FA3F9132-EEB5-4F3D-8E4E-428611AB6589.jpeg, 2C9C2E9F-9756-4288-9A67-10B8926D722D.jpeg, https://www.mthealthy.com/birds/rhode-island-blue. They are around 4 weeks old now. Ive looked all over the internet and I CANNOT figure it out. Waiting to see what or how many will hatch. Lol ? I guess they are the tough ones. They also lay big double yokes. One brown egg every day. Actually, most wind up looking more like a stuffed animal than a chicken. 6. The Rhode Island Blue and a blue Rock are actually hybrids, so they aren't the same "breed" as a Rhode Island Red and a Plymouth Rock. #1. i ha two sapphire gems, one is like my little baby, the other not as close but getting there. Theyre supposed to ship wherever and come from Hoovers Harchery in Iowa. I have one sapphire gem. Photos are circulating of the Sapphire Gems calmly sleeping in the arms and hands of their adoring owners. Two questions in one Is this normal gosling behavior and will they forget me? Most chicken research deems the Buff Orpington as laid back, patient, and friendly, loves to receive food treats,and doesnt mind being picked up. While this chicken is the new It Girl on the scene, little is known about the origins and where to obtain her. Turns out 2 of my pullets are roos. She is smart so I am trying to teach her to be sweet. Rabbit Hutch is constructed of a solid fir wood that will keep your animals safely sheltered and keep your cage durable for years of use. I dont know whats gotten wrong with the postal service but it is evidently a real problem. While they are a calm variety of chickens, they are also alert and aware of predators, making them even better off if they have the yard run. I read the article here about the Sapphire gems being rare. She was very happy when I told her. When they do go broody, the hens become good mothers and will be highly protective of their baby chicks. Plymouth Rock chickens are a heritage breed. Certainly, every breed has individuals with temperament variation along the spectrum, and even raising two chicks from the same breed the same way will prove that friendliness is not a guarantee. Another larger-sized chicken, the Orpington, is a good all-purpose utility breed, providing both eggs and meat, and it is also frequently bred for the show meaning they are a great overall chicken. While being docile . The Sapphire Gem is a sex-linked chicken variety of chick, which means that their gender can be determined shortly after they hatch by observing their feathers colors. #3. If you are new to chicken lingo, this means that if you breed two Sapphire Gems, you will not necessarily get another Sapphire Gem. - The Happy Chicken Coop - All Rights Reserved. All ten pullets matured into hens, all good layers starting at a few months old. They are said to love to cuddle and are one of the sweetest chicken varieties for the kids. I also have six Wyandottes WYANDOTTE Golden Comets are also pretty friendly. He couldnt stand to be out of my sight for more than a minute! My friendliest chicken, by far, is my Buff Orpington. (I know personalities within a breed will vary, but I'm asking "in general"). Ive been very pleased with these birds so far. Theres so many breeds I cant choose which to breed and also help people with their depression issues and pets for kids I wanted silkies now I read your polish story. 2 Top Reasons to Choose the Rhode Island Red Chicken for Your Flock. Theyre curious, the first to check out new situations, absolutely love attention, and are intelligent, mellow pets. They rely on the flock leader to keep them safe, show them where food is, and, While its important to note that a breed-designated trait does not imply that every single chicken in that breed HAS that trait, the general thought is that certain behavioral traits are COMMON to, Another larger-sized chicken, the Orpington, is a good all-purpose utility breed, providing both eggs and meat, and it is also frequently, Most chicken research deems the Buff Orpington as laid back, patient, and friendly, loves to receive, Despite their large size, Cochins will also be some of the calmest and friendliest birds in your flock, making them, They are very child-friendly, appreciate human contact, and again despite their size, are often somewhat submissive to other birds, so they are not commonly on top of, Easter Eggers is not actually a true breed. It has a lot to do with how you interact with them from the beginning. In fact, their egg-laying prowess brought them into the spotlight in the early twentieth century when they broke a record by laying 364 eggs in 365 days. Loves to be held, such a sweet bird. Hi there- I was gifted two female and two male Polish, they are almost five months now. Im so glad theres a few others that love the Polish. They come in varieties of blue, black, and red colors. It was a great alternative side the last group of chicks I had delivered via the mail 5/6 were DOA. I love them all..My Saph Gems consistently give me eggs dailyI am excited to know they may lay through the winter! Some will accept aggressive rooster behavior, while others cull for that strongly. Mine are around 8lbs. My Australorps are ok, but they peck at me a lot. Her laying didnt even slow down! This was a naturally fantastic pairing. Go online and check with Hoover Hatchery. They are a medium-sized breed, mostly known for their egg-laying productivity. Egyptian Fayoumi When it comes to finding a friendly, egg-laying breed of chicken, the Rhode Island Blue is an excellent choice. Theyre both very intelligent thats for sure, Breezy the shyer of the 2 gave me my very first egg ON MY BIRTHDAY! Plymouth Rock Hen. She took a little longer to mature but maybe thats because she is much larger than the others. One or two of the BOs figured out how to follow, so theres plenty of room in the coop for the hens that bed down there. Most hatcheries that sell this little gem are vague in their descriptions, and thats probably because its a new variety of chicken. Our 80 Wooden Chicken Coop is enclosed with a sturdy metal wire fencing which is vital to the ventilation of this chicken coop, it will also protect your animals from outside predators. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Barring is a recessive trait that is only carried on the male chromosome. pay attention to me! The sapphire gems were bred by a white crossbred golden comet rooster and I wanted some babies that would grow to lay more large brown eggs. Hmm, I have production blues. Unfortunately the postal service has gotten really poor when it comes to shipping chicks. They get plenty of layer feed and corn a day and free range a short time due to predators. Raving fans will happily tell anyone who will listen how incredibly calm and docile this chicken is. As soon as she sees me she comes running hoping for treats or a little conversation. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I would like to hatch some eggs for future hens. My wife and I are new to chickens. If you order less than 10 chicks outside of this period your order will be moved. If you decide to have a Rhode Island Blue rooster in your flock, be cautious when allowing children near your chickens. I just got two Sapphire Gems this spring and they were the first to start laying. I love them they are beautiful and friendly. Silkies are also one of the cutest chicken breeds. Generally, this chicken has been sweet until now. A beautifully feathered breed, Wyandottes also bear confinement well and are particularly cold hardy. at end of lay. Spacious SpaceMain poultry house is elevated for preventing damage from wet conditions. ? Should I get rid of one ( or both) Claire. I have one plus 3 easter eggers and the sapphire gem is bigger than all the others and smart and calm.

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