I have owned over thirty breeds and varieties over the years, but Chanteclers (Buff and Partridge) are easily the best of all of them. They are very cold hardy and have small combs and wattles, so I don't have to deal with winter trimming every year. They have nice large frames that make processing old hens and extra cockerels worthwhile, and those same large frames give extra room for egg production. They're docile, yet range wary and certainly not dumb. If you live up north, please give these birds a shot.