Introduction
Beginning backyard chicken keeping is like choosing members for a feathery family. Choosing breeds for our flock initially printed to be tricky. In this guide, we’ll dive into the specific considerations of choosing breeds tailored to our unique situation in Sioux Falls, SD, with a focus on cold-hardiness, friendliness for our children, and optimal egg production.
Understanding Our Unique Requirements
Sioux Falls, situated in the southeast corner of South Dakota, experiences a climate characterized by very snowy and cold winters. For our backyard flock it is important we choose breeds that can not only withstand the chilly climate but also contribute to our goals of sustainable living and self-sufficiency. Additionally, with children a friendly disposition is important to ensure a good relationship with our new pets. Lastly, as one of the primary motivations for venturing into backyard chicken keeping is egg production, selecting breeds known as good layers is important.
Choosing breeds for our flock
After several days of research and consideration, we settled on one each of four different breeds:
1. Blue Splash Ameraucana:
Known for their striking blue eggs, Ameraucanas are a great addition to any flock. The blue splash variety, has a distinctive feather pattern. Not only are they excellent layers, but their cold-hardy nature makes them well-suited for the winter months in Sioux Falls. This chicken is expected to produce 3, light blue, medium-sized eggs per week. More info here.
2. Super Blue Egg Layer:
This breed, true to its name, is an exceptional egg producer, and is a variation of an Easter Egger. Its ability to lay a high volume of eggs aligns perfectly with our goal of maintaining a steady and bountiful supply for our family. The vibrant blue eggs also contribute to the aesthetic charm of our backyard, adding a splash of color to the nesting boxes. This chicken is expected to provide 5-6, extra large, blue eggs per week. More info here.
3. Blue Favaucana:
The Favaucana is a hybrid that combines the favorable traits of the Faverolle and Ameraucana breeds. With its fluffy appearance and friendly demeanor, the Blue Favaucana is not only a delightful companion but also a cold-hardy breed well-suited for the Sioux Falls climate. This chicken is expected to provide 4, extra large, green eggs per week. More info here.
4. Green Queen Easter Egger:
Easter Eggers are known for their diverse egg colors, and the Green Queen variety is no exception. Beyond their egg-laying prowess, Easter Eggers are friendly and sociable, making them an ideal choice for our family with children. This chicken is expected to provide 4, extra large, green eggs per week. More details here.
Breed Characteristics: Cold-Hardy, Friendly, and Productive
Cold-Hardy Traits:
Chickens, like any creatures, have varying tolerances to temperature extremes. In Sioux Falls, where winter can be unforgiving, selecting cold-hardy breeds is critical. All 4 of these breeds for the bill will including none or very small crops and waddles to worry about frostbite. Their cold-hardy nature ensures they stay healthy and active even during the coldest South Dakota winters.
Friendliness for Our Kids:
As a frugal urban homesteader with children, prioritizing friendly and docile breeds was important. The Blue Favaucana and Green Queen Easter Egger are known for their friendly disposition. These breeds are not only approachable but also enjoy interaction with their human caretakers. Their gentle nature makes them suitable companions for our kids, fostering engagement in chicken chores as well as simply picking up and carrying around.
Optimal Egg Production:
A significant motivation for venturing into backyard chicken keeping is ensuring a consistent supply of fresh eggs for our family, therefore; we selected the Super Blue Egg Layer and Green Queen Easter Egger for their exceptional egg-laying capabilities.
Conclusion
The task of researching and choosing breeds for our flock of our urban homestead has been both enlightening and rewarding. By carefully considering our climate, family dynamics, and the primary objective of egg production, we’ve decided on a mixture of breeds that align with our frugal urban homesteading goals.
The Blue Black Splash Ameraucana, Super Blue Egg Layer, Blue Favaucana, and Green Queen Easter Egger each bring their unique qualities to our backyard. From cold-hardiness to friendliness and optimal egg production, these breeds encapsulate the essence of what we envisioned for our urban homesteading adventure.
Now we eagerly await arrival of the chicks and start to plan for the first eggs and anticipate the bountiful supply of nutritious, home grown eggs.
