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Of course, we have to have chickens. My earlier experiments with raising fowl didn't go well. Predators got them - and that was in the middle of town! Raccoons got the Guinea fowl like, the second night they were out - maybe the first. Stray dogs got one of our two chickens, an animal control officer got the other one :-)

Hoping we've learned something, I put in an order for 25 chickens a couple weeks ago. 5 different breeds, each group of 5 made up of a single cockerel (young rooster) and 4 pullets (young hens). Delivery date is late March sometime. Ducks and geese will be bought then too, but I don't know what breeds or how many yet.

Here are the breeds I chose and a brief description of each from Oklahoma State University.

Dark Cornish:

Standard Weights: Cock-10-1 /2 pounds; hen-8 pounds; cockerel-8-1/2 pounds; pullet-6-1/2 pounds.

Skin Color: Yellow.

Egg Shell Color: Brown.

Use: Developed as the ultimate meat bird, the Cornish has contributed its genes to build the vast broiler industry of the world, Its muscle development and arrangement give excellent carcass shape.

Origin: Cornish were developed in the shire (county) of Cornwall, England where they were known as "Indian Games". They show the obvious influence of Malay and other oriental blood. They were prized for their large proportion of white meat and its fine texture.

Characteristics: The Cornish has a broad, well muscled body. Its legs are of large diameter and widely spaced. The deep set eyes, projecting brows and strong, slightly curved beak give the Cornish a rather cruel expression. Cornish males are often pugnacious and the chicks tend to be more cannibalistic than some breeds. Good Cornish are unique and impressive birds to view. The feathers are short and held closely to the body, and may show exposed areas of skin. Cornish need adequate protection during very cold weather as their feathers offer less insulation than can be found on most other chickens. Because of their short feathers and wide compact bodies, Cornish are deceptively heavy. Due to their shape, good Cornish often experience poor fertility and artificial mating is suggested. Cornish are movers and need space to exercise and develop their muscles. The old males get stiff in their legs if they do not receive sufficient exercise. The females normally go broody but because of their very minimal feathers can cover relatively fewer eggs. They are very protective mothers but are almost too active to be good brood hens.

Light Brahma:

Standard Weights (Light): Cock-12 pounds; hen-9-1/2 pounds; cockerel-10 pounds; pullet-8 pounds.

 Standard Weights (Dark and Buff): Cock-1 1 pounds; hen-8-1/2 pounds; cockerel-9 pounds; pullet-7 pounds.

 Skin Color: Yellow.

 Egg Shell Color: Brown.

 Use: A very heavy fowl for the production of heavy roasters or capons. Fair egg layers.

 Origin: The ancestry of the Brahma traces back to China although much of their development took place in the U.S. between 1850 and 1890.

 Characteristics: Good Brahmas are beautiful, stately birds. Their large size and gentle nature combined with intricate color patterns makes them favorites for the country estate. The Brahma's appearance in the showroom never fails to command the admiration of one and all. These qualities have made them a favorite with showmen and fanciers. Brahmas do go broody and are fairly good mothers. Their small comb and wattles, together with profuse feathering and well feathered shanks and toes enable them to stand cold temperatures very well. The relatively slow rate of growth and long time required to reach maturity have caused Brahmas to be passed by as a commercial fowl.

Buff Orpington:

Standard Weights: Cock-10 pounds; hen-8 pounds; cockerel8-1/2 pounds; pullet-7 pounds.

Skin Color: White.

Egg Shell Color: Brown.

Use: A heavy dual purpose fowl for the production of both meat and eggs.

Origin: Orpingtons were developed in England at the town of Orpington in County Kent during the 1880s. They were brought to America in the 1890s and gained popularity very rapidly, based on their excellence as a meat bird. As the commercial broiler and roaster market developed, the Orpington lost out partly because of its white skin.

Characteristics: Orpingtons are heavily but loosely feathered, appearing massive. Their feathering allows them to endure cold temperatures better than some other breeds. They exist only in solid colors; are at home on free range or in relatively confined situations; and are docile. Hens exhibit broodiness and generally make good mothers. Chicks are not very aggressive and are often the underdogs when several breeds are brooded together. They are a good general use fowl.

Plymouth Rock:

Standard Weights: Cock-9-1/2 pounds; hen-7-1/2 pounds; cockerel-8 pounds; pullet-6 pounds.

Skin Color: Yellow.

Egg Shell Color: Brown.

Use: Meat and eggs.

Origin: Developed in America in the middle of the 19th century and was first exhibited as a breed in 1869. Several individuals claimed its invention, using crosses of Dominique, Java, Cochin, and perhaps Malay and Dorking. The first Plymouth Rock was barred and other varieties developed later. The Breed became popular very rapidly, and in fact, until World War II, no breed was ever kept and bred as extensively as the Barred Plymouth Rock. Its popularity came from its qualities as an outstanding farm chicken: hardiness, docility, broodiness, and excellent production of both eggs and meat. Most of the other varieties were developed from crosses containing some of the same ancestral background as the barred variety. Early in its development, the name Plymouth Rock implied a barred bird, but as more varieties were developed, it became the designation for the breed. The Barred Plymouth Rock was one of the foundation breeds for the broiler industry in the 1920's, and the White Rock continues to be used as the female side of the commercial broiler cross.

Characteristics: Plymouth Rocks are a good general farm chicken. They are docile; normally will show broodiness; possess a long, broad back; a moderately deep, full breast and a single comb of moderate size. Some strains are good layers while others are bred principally for meat. They usually make good mothers. Their feathers are fairly loosely held but not so long as to easily tangle. Generally, Plymouth Rocks are not extremely aggressive, and tame quite easily. Some males and hens are big and active enough to be quite a problem if they become aggressive. Breeders should be aware of the standard weights and not select small or narrow birds for the breeding pen. Common faults include shallow breast, high tails, narrow bodies and small size.

Status: Watch. The Barred Plymouth Rock is still a popular farm chicken but, as a dual-purpose bird, is still far less common than its more specialized White Rock cousin. 

Silver Laced Wyandotte:

Standard Weights: Cock-8-1/2 pounds, hen-6-1/2 pounds, cockerel-7-1/2 pounds, pullet-5-1/2 pounds.

Skin Color: Yellow.

Egg Shell Color: Brown.

Use: Meat or eggs.

Origin: America. The Silver Laced variety was developed in New York State and the others in the north and northeastern states in the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century.

Characteristics: Wyandottes are a good, medium-weight fowl for small family flocks kept under rugged conditions. Their rose combs do not freeze as easily as single combs and the hens make good mothers. Their attractive "curvy" shape, generally good disposition and many attractive color patterns (varieties) make them a good choice for fanciers as well as farmers. Common faults include narrow backs, undersized individuals and relatively poor hatches. Also, it is not uncommon to see single combed offspring come from rose combed parents. These single combed descendents of Wyandottes should not be kept as breeders.

References:

Oklahoma State University Animals Science
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/poultry/chickens/
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/poultrypage/