I have 10 Sapphire Gems that are 8 weeks old. I guess they are the tough ones. Cochin chickens are happiest when they are close to home. 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. The funny thing is, I named them Stevie and Ding Dong. Another important note about the bedazzling beauties is that they do not breed true. What a good looking bird! After that, its crucial to spend time with them, talk to them, and make them your friends. The most friendly, and most calm, in my opinion are Russian Orloff ? They are excellent foragers and have no trouble finding the tastiest morsels in the yard. I have one plus 3 easter eggers and the sapphire gem is bigger than all the others and smart and calm. My first flock so I dont know if this is normal This said a good background in best practices for raising a friendly flock would certainly go a long way. The longer I raise chickens the more breeds I encounter & fall in love with. We have had issues with them ganging up on one and ends up that we have to put them down because they are too hurt. They sure friendly and pretty quiet. We know about this mysterious chicken because the Sapphire Gem is a cross between heritage and hybrid chickens and was developed in the Czech Republic. #5. Sultan Chicken: Egg Production, Breed Personality and Care, Columbian Wyandotte Chicken: Egg Production and Breed Personality, link to 7 Simple Chicken Brooder Ideas To Raise Healthy Chicks, link to 15 Best Chickens For Beginners: Full Breed Guide. She wont tower over your Easter Eggers nor cower under the, As with other single-combed breeds, protecting the Sapphire Gem from frostbite, While they are a calm variety of chickens, they are also alert and aware of. Shell also sit on my lap. Rhode Island Blues are a hybrid crossing two of the best layers - the Rhode Island Red and the Australorp. Just hope not too amazing to be true only time will tell with this new exciting beautiful breed ? Durable & WeatherproofSolid rain-resistant fir wood with Environmental painted keep the Poultry Hutch waterproof and not afraid of sun anymore. For example, Buff Orpington is usually very docile. Some will accept aggressive rooster behavior, while others cull for that strongly. Silkies are also one of the cutest chicken breeds. They are trendy hybrids of, They are a breed that is so gentle and social with people and other chickens; oftentimes, when mixed with other breeds, the Faverolles, Jersey Giant chickens are a very friendly, calm, and docile breed. Let's stay updated! Choosing the Right Chicken Breed Based on Temperament - MorningChores 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. I got them at Tractor Supply in Gastonia, NC. Some are jerks. She is smart so I am trying to teach her to be sweet. While this chicken is the new It Girl on the scene, little is known about the origins and where to obtain her. Blue Star. Ive seen adult birds of this breed and therefore know what I have to look forward to! 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? Why is this on the 10 friendliest breeds page? As a little girl, our Speckled Sussex , bantam sized hen Penny ,was a sweet girl & loved sitting in my lap. I also have well water. So if you want a chicken that will add a lot of personalities and a lot of eggs, to your flock, the Rhode Island Blue might be the perfect addition to your chicken coop. If you order less than 10 chicks outside of this period your order will be moved. Required fields are marked *. The Jersey Giant pullets are very quiet for now too. Several hop on my shoulders. I ordered 10 Sapphire Gems from Jenks Hatchery and they will be two weeks old this Saturday (May 1st). This is our first time in many years that we have been able to have chickens and we love them. They were developed after crossing the Rhode Island Red with the Blue Australorp chickens. FA3F9132-EEB5-4F3D-8E4E-428611AB6589.jpeg, 2C9C2E9F-9756-4288-9A67-10B8926D722D.jpeg, https://www.mthealthy.com/birds/rhode-island-blue. :-/ Got them on March 15. They are generally amiable and docile birds that are also quite easily handled. Considering The Production Blue Chickens? - It's Poultry My sapphire gem isnt mean, she just keeps her distance and is kind of haughty. And Blue Rock vs Barred Rock? 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. But my grand mother always said to add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to one quart of water. I have a Sapphire Gem that I got just by chance. We bring all the chicken-related knowledge together in one place to help make your life easier. #3. I love them all..My Saph Gems consistently give me eggs dailyI am excited to know they may lay through the winter! SILKIE Hands-on time with your chicks should be limited to several short sessions of just a few minutes each, several times a day. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Unfortunately, a fox got her. Yes they dont want to be out of your sight and will prop their beaks on my face when I cuddle with them.. Really sopreciate your experience and input. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. They are a medium-sized breed, mostly known for their egg-laying productivity. . This chicken breed is suitable for both confinement and free range system. at end of lay. We may earn a commission after clicking links on the site before making a purchase. He begged for food by jumping up and down. 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 the pecking order. Rhode Island Blue hens arent particularly broody, which is a common trait of breeds that are bred to produce a lot of eggs. Considering chickens arent typically classified as just brown, somebody just made it up. The Barnevelder can be described as a rectangular body shape, compact with a U- shaped back. They are great with children and make lovely pets. Or perhaps a specific technique that can be used to bring them around? The breed's fame derives from its ability to withstand Iowa's typical hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. She comes back once a day for food and water but I dont want a skunk or other rodent to eat her and her eggs . Chicken Coop shelter with Green asphalt sloping roof to protect from water penetration. that theyd do fine in most areas of the country. They are not generally flighty or nervous birds and are mostly very chilled out. They are highly curious, and will happily roam around your yard in search of a meal. Temperament can vary from strain to strain, country to country and according to the . ( PLEASE NOTE: THIS LIST IS NOT IN ORDER OF FRIENDLIEST, IT JUST LISTS THEM ONE BIG CATEGORY ALSO PLEASE NOTE: THIS LIST, IS INCLUDING ONLY BREEDS, THAT I HAVE HAD PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH ) The chicks had a long, terrible trip. 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. Some people prioritize traits such as, Well, as with most pets, how the owner treats their flock is just as important in determining chickens temperament as, 2) The best way to tame your chickens when they are a bit older and to build up trust is again to offer your chickens, Its also important to let them know youre the flock leader. There is conflicting information on this variety of chicken, but everyone seems to agree that this bird is a new favorite. I have two 1 is super friendly (Stormy)shes been trying to gain higher ground since she was tiny so now enverytime I bend/kneel/squat down she hops right onto my back making her way up to my shoulder as I stand up I believe the leader amongst the 9 others. Id love any tips you could give me! Some of the best chickens to raise in your backyard are Buff Orpingtons, Dark Brahmas, La Fleches, Bantam Leghorns, and Bantam Araucana. Some owners report seeing some more creamy, almost white eggs, but on average they will have a light brown egg color. This large and beautiful chicken will provide you with 4-5 light brown eggs every week - that is more than 200 eggs a year! Does anyone know what kind of winters this chicken can sustain? They are not flighty but, If you are beginning to get interested in starting a flock of your own, check out these tips on. One hen in particular seems to lay giant, double-yolk eggs occasionally. Rhode Island Reds were created from Malay chickens, which are known to be incredibly hardy birds. If I were a chick I would want to be raised by her. I want to make sure I get a heating element ahead of time if I need one. Any recommendations where I can find Sapphire Gem chickens for purchase close to Colorado? 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. My grand daughters love playing with them. JavaScript is disabled. One likes to go off alone to sleep. I would like to incubate some eggs and I dont want to waste any eggs. They are solid, round chickens with calm, busy personalities. Most are blue all the way through but some have red feathers as well. Wyandottes are classified as a dual-purpose breed, so they are not particularly small birds. Let the chicks get used to their new life and recover from the trip to your house. I thought maybe they werent Sapphire gems and Tractor Supply just got the name wrong but I looked them up and they look just like all the pics of Sapphire gems that I found. I have raised my first batch of chicks from 1 week old, and have a mixed flock. I have one sapphire gem. A young Gold Lace Polish rooster, who hatched in my hand. When they people hear of Rhode Island Blue chickens, they often think of one of the best-known American dual-purpose breeds: the Rhode Island Red, or RIR for short. 4 Appearance. I dont know whats gotten wrong with the postal service but it is evidently a real problem. We finally put her down the others seamed fine. Raving fans will happily tell anyone who will listen how incredibly calm and docile this chicken is. my favorite breed is buff orpington but my favorite hen that i have right now is named sophie but I dont know what breed she is I got her from a mixed run. They rely on the flock leader to keep them safe, show them where food is, and keep them comfortable. They are easy to train and can become quite sociable. Does the variation in chicken color for each breed affect their personalities? 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? The two roosters are getting rowdy and messing with the girls Blue from beak to toes, Blue Stars are the eye-catchers of the flock. I live in S. FL, so their not exposed to cold much. Anyway shes a fun smart bird that doesnt need supervision outside. 2) The best way to tame your chickens when they are a bit older and to build up trust is again to offer your chickens their favorite treat in your hand. AUSTRALORP There are timber ridges above the ramp to protects your poultry from slipping back. So, its safe to say that reviews on appearance seem to be mixed. The American Poultry Association first admitted Rhode Islands into their Standard of Perfection in 1904. Thats such a shame that you havent had the same experience with them. 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. Today Brahma hatching eggs cost $3 each and chicks cost $7. I am guessing that since they have Plymouth Rock (a cold-hardy breed) in their bloodline and were developed in the Czech Republic (Central Europe has miserable winters, take it from a guy who knows!) JavaScript is disabled. There is no nutrition in it. So annoying when theres lightning. I have found that blue brahmas are very the sweetest out of my chickens including silkies. Consequently, they dont need you, they dont know what to make of you, and chances are they will avoid you. I'll go pick her up to bring her back and she will lay her her in my neck like shes thankful. I just purchased and had shipped 15 chicks from them two weeks ago. In our flock she is a star! They have very hard feathers that are inherited from their Malay and Java genes. Their soft, fluffy feathers feel like silk on a compact little body. Every evening at 4 he walked up my ramp and pecked on the door to be let in. This is also used in taming aggressive roosters. This comes from the fact that they were bred as cockfighting birds. - The Happy Chicken Coop - All Rights Reserved. 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. These chickens are great egg producers, and they dont appear to mind being confined, so theyre straightforward to care for. 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. Between building furniture with Amish-milled wood and helping a local farmer construct a greenhouse, Leland developed a deep interest in homesteading and wants to one day have farmland of his own. I havent gotten any eggs the last 3 days and it finally got in the 100s just this week.Or could there be something else ? Our sapphire gem, went into the woods and is laying on a nest. This did not affect our assessment of products. Weve had chicks in our washroom since July and I love hearing them, so its definitely different. They can often look even more substantial than that because of their very fluffy feathers. I am considering bringing in some more hens, so glad to find this list! Sounds like you really know your chickens! Is it the breeds we have? If you have an older line, your birds may be larger. Following this lead, and based on well-documented opinions of chicken farmers in general, heres a list of several breeds of the friendliest chicken breeds around: Silkies are one of the best chicken breeds to keep as pets because of their size and temperament. Every chicken has their own personality. My sapphire gem is the best bird in our mixed flock (buff orpington, 3 easter eggers), and shes been laying everyday since 5 months old (big eggs and double yolks ). Shes happy to be snuggled and have you boop boop to her as long as none of the others are watching. #10. Ding Dong is always, ALWAYS, the last one to come back into the pen at night..she always finds a way to dawdle her way back for the night. Thanks, Abby , I recommend australorps theyre nice and quiet. Females have a chipmunk strip on their backs, while males are lighter in color and have a yellow spot on their heads. The one with the red on her face and down her chest is such a cuddle bug. Australian breeders developed the Australorps from Black Orpingtons. They are said to love to cuddle and are one of the sweetest chicken varieties for the kids. What are your thoughts on the sapphire Gem rooster? Weight: 5-6 lbs. Nobody at Tractor Supply said anything about them being special or rare. The Top 10 Friendliest Chicken Breeds of 2021 - The Happy Chicken Coop If you love exotic colors in your flock, the Sapphire Gem will catch your eye with its lavender and blue feathering. MY 1st pet chicken was a Rhode Island Red. Two questions in one Is this normal gosling behavior and will they forget me? ? The Iowa Blue originated in the 1920s with John Logsdon of Decorah, Iowa. Your email address will not be published. They are around 4 weeks old now. He got in my car and went for rides ,he gave snuggles and sat on my lap at night and put himself to bed. 11 Most Expensive Chicken Breeds In The World - Chickens And More Nice big eggs and the egg color is a creamy color. I use Hydro Hen every other day in it. Really!? We provide the most trusted, accurate & helpful content about raising chickens that you won't find anywhere else. You have no idea how much youll be helping your friend. Production - Blue - Female: Welp Hatchery aggressive. I have special needs granddaughter who has a small white Polish that adores her. She even comes to her name. They never had pullet sized eggs. From advice on choosing your first hen to setting up a coop and everything in between, we've got you covered. I have little combs and big combs, they already laying but I cant figure out which ones because they like to lay at 6am. (I know personalities within a breed will vary, but I'm asking "in general"). One brown egg every day. Of particular note with this breed is they are also very, Jersey Giants are robust and fairly cold hardy. Interesting cross. Rhode Island Red Chicken Characteristics, Origin, Uses - ROYS FARM Storm adores cuddles and loves the hose pipe, will paddle for ages in the water with her little mate. They had some of the funniest personalities.Had one that got lockked in the green house for almost a month during the summer, and she survived without food or water ()it gets too hot for plants in summer). On an average, a male Rhode Island Red weights about 3.9kg and a female weights about 2.9kg. Not spelled correctly, sorry. She is an excellent layer, good natured, and very social bird. Theyre supposed to ship wherever and come from Hoovers Harchery in Iowa. In fact, it is recommended that you get Buff Orpingtons if you have children that enjoy playing with the flock. This attaches to a wide open fenced enclosure that allows them plenty of room to move around. I love them they are beautiful and friendly. The Sapphire Gem is a medium-sized chicken. Most modern-day Rhode Island Red chickens are smaller than the original heritage line of Rhode Island Reds. Im no expert but everything Ive read says not to use cedar, it gives off toxic fumes. My sapphire gems are quirky. I know all chickens are different, maybe we just got lucky, but she acts like a pet. to write the first review. Rhode Island Hens lay beautiful large brown eggs. Our local Tractor Supply had them this past spring (but I didnt finish my brooder house until late this summer). I also give squash and green apples as a treat which they love. Hope my question makes sense. Jersey Giant chickens are a very friendly, calm, and docile breed. Nope mine keep their distance dont want to be around any human once grown. Just like every person has their own personality. Egg Size: Large/Extra Large. I think shes a little blind because she gets lost (separated from the group) sometimes while free ranging. Large, brown eggs are the Sapphire Gems specialty, and its a common misconception that this chicken lays blue eggs because she is often confused with the Sapphire chicken (a small white bird that lays bright blue eggs). Hmm, I have production blues. 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. old, my mother decided to raise, what were called back in the day, exotics , which later were termed 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. You are using an out of date browser. It has a darker mahogany deep red plumage that appears black from far, large stature, and, of course, delicious meat. 3) People-friendly chickens require chicken-friendly people. So I just got my first chickens. 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. A sliding door ramp also allows chickens to easily enter the raised housing area from the chicken run. Is there a particular breed that is more likely to trust later on in life? Not sure if this was in reply to me but I'll share anyways. Another surprise is that most of the SGs lay green eggs, although therere supposed to be brown. With their bright blue earlobes, the fifth toe on each foot, a super sweet personality, and an appreciation for being held and petted, you cant help but find them adorable.