What is the most popular breed?

What is the most popular breed?

I think records show it has been the Labrador Retriever for the last few years.

The most popular breed within the highly intellectual community would be the Doberman Pinscher but if you are talking about heritage breed chickens it would be the famous Australorp . An all black friendly chicken from down under. Sorry Sue I couldn't help myself.

Ah Dan, I just leave myself open for your jibes, don't I? You are right...about Dobermans though.

Now, if you are asking about cats, the Persian seems to have the top spot.

It would have to be a breed that is quiet , doesn't jump on you , would train easy , doesn't loose hair ,good temperment , loyal , and all the other things that I can't seem to get in one package .............that would be the best dog , or the most popular in my book , but to each there own

Eric, You just described my wife and she is certainly no dog. She has all of those attributes that you just described.

Schipperkesue wrote:
Now, if you are asking about cats, the Persian seems to have the top spot.

Yuck! Cant' stand those pushed in face, furball things. Give me a good old fashioned short haired ginger tabby tom! Aaaa, the simple things in life.

Dan, I am with you about the Australorps, and this isnt just a jab at Sue either.

Talking on a world wide scale, I would guess the Silkie.

Dan Smith wrote:Eric, You just described my wife and she is certainly no dog. She has all of those attributes that you just described.

..........Strange .... I thought that someone might jump to that conclusion ..

Ahem...
Well, I believe this is a good question and it was asked looking for some honest feedback regarding chickens. So, students, settle down and lets have a discussion.
Speaking in terms of sheer numbers, the commercial broilers and layers win hands down. But since they are not breeds, I guess they shouldn't be counted.
So, going just from my own observations...I think some of the most popular breeds going these days are Sussex, Rhode Island Red, Americauna, Plymouth Rocks, Leghorn, Orpington and Australorp. I honestly havent paid much attention to the Bantam end of things, but I would agree Silkies must be right up there at the top.

What others seem to be popular?

Yes, you must forgive my literal interpretation of the question. I love to think outside the nesting bocks! (No eks!)

I think the most popular chicken breed is the Wyandotte. Lots to love about the Wyandotte- many colors, small comb, beautiful body.

Now, if you are talking rabbits the most popular breed is the Mini Recks

Since KathyS got all serious on us, I think we need a bit more information to be able to give serious opinions. I think that is why this thread went a little south. Just our way of saying there was not quite enough information in the question to give a more focused opinion.

Most popular breed for what? Laying, meat, all round, pet, eye candy, broody, forager, winter laying or winter hardiness. See what I mean. I could tell you the breeds I like best, but to give an opinion on what I think is the most popular breed I think I need to know what for.

I hope our little bit of fun has not put you off, maybe a bit more info would help us be a bit more serious (or not ).


(posted at the same time as Sue)

I took a very broad interpretation since I had no further information.

My reasoning is that some breeds may be more regionally popular, but you find Silkies everywhere.

Good point on the commercial birds though. If we go by sheer numbers, they win hands down.

To clarify (as much as I've loved this light subject!) I am speaking on backyard flocks. People who want 3-5 chickens of their own. I love my RIR and heard Austrolpe's were quite popular also.

Regarding RIR's: my understanding (as I've never had them) is that given they are known to be an aggressive breed or very dominant, they're not a great breed to have as a mixed flock. They do fine with their own kind though and are fabulous layers.

By my observation, Barred Rocks and Speckled Sussex are great together as their temperaments are similar, not aggressive but bordering dominant.

If you're interested in Australorps, they would go nice temperamentally with Buff Orps as they are both docile. And of course, you'll want an Ameraucana or two for added feather colouring as well as for their beautiful blue eggs.

Have fun with your decision making.

I would say orpingtons, wyandottes and australorps for temperament. But they are big birds, you will not be able to have as many in the same space as a smaller breed.

Easter eggers are very popular because of their egg colour and variety of feather and then there is the dark egg layers like Welsummers. I personally find the Marans a little finicky for newbies but they lay a nice dark egg too.

I like the Chanteclers for winter laying, winter hardiness (no frozen combs with them). My experience with the roosters is they are very pleseant with their hens and accept new ones fine. I enjoy the hens curiosity too. The cockerels are good eating, but are a large bird too.

I have found RIRs rather assertive as well, especially the more commercial, productive lines.

I like the idea of having a carton full of colorful eggs and it's good to know which breeds get along. The Chancler is a fun idea! People would take pride in knowing it is a Canadian breed.

I thought that this picture of some eggs from some Heritage breeds might be what you are referring to. All the dark eggs are Welsummer and the blue are true Ameraucana's and the light tan ones are from the Australorp. There is one Barnevelder egg which is the one in the bottom right hand dozen , top row and third from the left. I could provide you with all of these breeds and more and even give you a 50% discount for being a newbie to chickens or if you would rather have chicks the same offer applies.

Those Australorp eggs are pretty boring beside the beauty of the other breeds, Dan.

Coc-a-do-doll-do, in case you are wondering about my anti-Australorp attitude, it can be traced back to a vicious rooster attack. Dan continues to tease me about it! I am sure all Aussies are not the same, but that roo has forever blackened my view of them.

Ha! This is the pict, it looks so natural, colorful. Who wouldn't want it.

Dan Smith wrote:I thought that this picture of some eggs from some Heritage breeds might be what you are referring to. All the dark eggs are Welsummer and the blue are true Ameraucana's and the light tan ones are from the Australorp. There is one Barnevelder egg which is the one in the bottom right hand dozen , top row and third from the left. I could provide you with all of these breeds and more and even give you a 50% discount for being a newbie to chickens or if you would rather have chicks the same offer applies.

Dan, I'd like to take you up on this offer please check your inbox.

Based on all the responses to the Ameraucana beards thread, that would be my vote - not only are they adorable but they lay unique and lovely blue/green eggs, and seem to have quite a strong following. I have chanteclers, sussexes, and ameraucanas, and the latter pair is my favourite. The rooster in particular has such personality.

RIR win for egg production, Barred Rocks & Wyandottes,but a nice bouquet of Cochins look great in your backyard

Certainly the buckeye is the most popoular with me, then come the cochins then come the buff orpingtons, I am a little biased. I find the buckeyes are excellent layers, and lay 7 days a week, but they do stop for a period in winter. I did not have artificial light for the buckeye pen as I wanted to see what they do without lights. They molted in fall and stopped laying for about 2 months . This winter I will experiment with giving them artificial light. Think they had taken about a month off after the month and a half off after their moult, so it was more like 2.5 months. But that is OK, the buff orpingtons laid non-stop, so made up for that (except of course during the molt). The buckeye carcass makes for a mighty nice sized bird for the table, well, good for me. About 4 pounds, dressed at 20 weeks old, not bad, in my eye, nice firm meat. The buff orpington, good layers, docile and dressed out the same (I am speaking of young roosters) as the buckeyes at the same age. Three breeds of fowl I have are non-aggressive roosters, so I vote for these three, smiling. I certainly don't think that the buckeye are a very popular breed. Too bad, cause they are such cold hardy birds (pea combs, small, tight to the head), love to free range, but take well also to confinement, they are very personable, like people to visit them and talk. Man can those roosters talk. I am not speaking to crowing, which they really, really like to do, but they talk alot, never heard so many different sounds that came from a rooster, but they are certainly smooth movers with their voice, I love the buckeye voice, by the way. They are quite similar in colour to the Rhode Island red. Those are my favourite breeds, so as said, I am pretty biased about what I think is the most popular, smiling that big smile. You will find what you search for, for surely, have a most wonderful day. CynthiaM