Chickens I Have Known

C x S HEN

C x S ROOSTER

Cochin/Silkie Crosses

• New to the coop so information is sketchy.
• Seem to do better in cold weather, no doubt because of the extra feathering on the head and feet.
• Our C x S rooster was every bit as bold as the Rhodie roosters in spite of his smaller (bantam) size.

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Cornish Rocks

• Known for their conspicuous consumption of large amounts of food and water, with associated rapid growth (and waste issues).
• Like Rosses and other meat birds, they do not fly about and perch like laying breeds.
• Hang around the coop instead of exploring and foraging - no doubt so they can stay close to the feeder.
• Exhibit raptor-like behavior at feeding time.
• Remind me of certain relatives who overstay their welcome.
• Did I mention that they like to eat?

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New Hampshire Reds

• Personable, friendly birds.
• Layers of large, dark brown eggs.
• Not as neurotic as Rhode Island Red hens, the New Hamps seemed to tolerate human company more and didn't mind being petted at the end of the day.

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Red Sex Links

• Early and dependable egg layers.
• Friendly birds - I named one Shadow because it would follow me around.
• RSL Hens are flirty - they seemed to court the roosters as much as the roos courted them.

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RIR HEN

RIR ROOSTER

Rhode Island Reds

• Females somewhat aloof; this inspired me to name one Eleanor Rigby.
• Roosters are aggressive - this makes them tough on the hens but good watchers of the barnyard.

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Ross

• Industrial meat bird.
• Grow to be huge (the rooster in the photo weighed about 10 pounds), but do not seem healthy when grown to full size
• Aggressive birds.
• Not a good pet.
• Lays large to jumbo brown eggs from the beginning, many of which are double yolkers.

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Silver Laced Wyandottes

• Very vocal birds; always clucking, cooing or chiding me for not feeding them quickly enough.
• Lay small to medium light brown eggs.
• Suspect SLW's of being chronic layers of eggs with meat spot eggs.
• Our SLW eggs did not age well - after a little time in the refrigerator, they began to look spotty and porous (but were still edible). See the porous egg candled on this page for further explanation.
• Abundance of feathers on their rear end near the vent may create fertility problems.
• An SLW roo fought off a pack of dogs to protect a hen.

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White Plymouth Rock

• Passive, didn't mix well with more aggressive birds.
• Dependable layer.
• Culled one to the dinner table because of blindness - both White Rocks I had developed cataracts to a degree.

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