Hello all! No more lurking, looking for breed suggestions.

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Flybynite

Flybynite

Hatching
6 Years
Nov 29, 2013
2
0
9
Hello Chicken-friends! I've been lurking for some time now, reading and learning, waiting for the opportunity to raise my own chickens. And its here! Well, in the building stages, anyway. I've wanted chickens for years, and now we (my very patient husband and I) are in the planning stages of my very own chicken house (chicken tractor, actually, long story). The base structure is going to be a re-purposed boat trailer, the resulting structure 8x10, with pasturing below. My concern is this: I would like larger birds, however, the 4 crossbars (3" wide) on the trailer are 16 inches from the ground. The actual floor will be closer to 26 inches from the ground, allowing for quite a bit more head space. So, suggestions, recommendations on breed types that would be amenable to this type of environment? I'm in southwestern pa, closer to the mountains (I can see it snowing on the ridges today), but with mostly open acreage (the wind blows). I'm planning on six hens, no chicken math, and would like eggs, but they don't need to be prolific layers. Thank you all ahead of time or your thoughts and experience!
 
I'm always reluctant to suggest breeds because there are so many great ones. My fear is that many of them will end up disappearing along with their valuable genetics as people all flock to the common breeds like silkies, orpingtons, australorps, plymouth rocks, stars, etc..

I recommend you peruse these 2 great breed selection charts.

http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

The floor height shouldn't be a problem nor will the cold. Just make sure it's predator proof, especially at night. That means no opening of over a half inch. Good ventilation with windows covered with hardware cloth.

Most newbies first mistake is trying to protect their birds from cold and in doing so, limit ventilation thereby possibly killing them.
 
Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to our flock. A lot of us were lurkers before joining. :eek:) Murray McMurray has an excellent "chick selector" tool at https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chick_selector.html to help you determine the best breed for you. Just be sure and click on "show more characteristics." Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck in getting your flock.
 
Welcome to BYC!
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I'm glad you joined us.

One breed that I would recommend would be the Wyandotte. I've had great success with mine, as they have been hardy, docile, and very good layers.
 
welcome-byc.gif
I'm glad you joined us!

There are many wonderful breeds of chicken. However, I particularly recommend Wyandottes, Australorps, Orpingtons, and Easter Eggers. All of those breeds tend to be hardy, productive egg layers.
 

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