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Best breeds for newbies?

post #1 of 26
4/23/12 at 8:26am
Thread Starter 

Hello!  I'm brand new to the hobby and I'm in the "research phase" right now... I want do do this whole chicken thing right and know exactly what I'm getting into!  :)  I would like to get 6 baby chicks and raise them as family pets and egg layers.  I have two young children so I want to make sure to pick breeds that are typically sociable and friendly.  I think I'd like to get 3 breeds, 2 of each kind, just for some fun and variety.  I understand Buff Orpingtons are very friendly and good egg producers, so I think I'll definitely get 2 of those.

 

What are some other breeds that are good as family pets?  Thanks everyone, I'm learning so much from you all already!!!

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post #2 of 26
4/23/12 at 8:49am

Buff orpingtons are a great choice for what you want. I would say (this is just my opinion) to stay away from the production breeds because (from my limited experience) they seem more flighty and overall not as cuddly as other breeds. Most of them are very reliable egg layers though.

 

I would reccomend a brahma of some sort too. I have two dark brahmas and they will literally sit on your lap for hours! They are great with kids. My hen weighs about 8lbs, and averages about 4 or 5 light brown eggs a week.

 

Just my two cents worth.

 

Good luck! smile.png

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How to Insert Pictures on the BYC Forum: http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/inserting-pics-in-on-the-new-byc 

 

"Dogs work with us, not for us"- Unknown

 

 

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post #3 of 26
4/23/12 at 9:04am
Thread Starter 

Thank you so much! Personality is definitely more important than egg production, as long as we get SOME eggs I'd be thrilled :D

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post #4 of 26
4/23/12 at 9:28am

I agree on the orpingtons!!!!!  Great birds!!!!

mother to a wonderful 14 yr old boy,2 step children, 2 dogs-1 corgi, 1 red heeler,  1 cat and a bunch of chickens. Married to a wonderful man who puts up with my love of chickens!
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mother to a wonderful 14 yr old boy,2 step children, 2 dogs-1 corgi, 1 red heeler,  1 cat and a bunch of chickens. Married to a wonderful man who puts up with my love of chickens!
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post #5 of 26
4/23/12 at 9:31am
My RIR, EE's, Brahma's and d'uccle are my kids favorite. My Cochin is docile too.
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post #6 of 26
4/23/12 at 9:32am

I agree on the Brahmas.  We have a light Brahma and she's a wonderful--very sweet and personable. 

1 husband, 1 son, 2 dogs, 4 guinea pigs, 3 box turtles, 2 Uromastyx (lizards), 2 goats, 1 Light Brahma hen, 1 black Silkie hen, 1 white Polish hen, 1 SLRW hen, 1 BLRW rooster, 1 Jersey Giant pullet, 1 partridge Cochin pullet, 2 Welsummer pullets, 1 Easter Egger pullet, 1 buff Orpington pullet.

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1 husband, 1 son, 2 dogs, 4 guinea pigs, 3 box turtles, 2 Uromastyx (lizards), 2 goats, 1 Light Brahma hen, 1 black Silkie hen, 1 white Polish hen, 1 SLRW hen, 1 BLRW rooster, 1 Jersey Giant pullet, 1 partridge Cochin pullet, 2 Welsummer pullets, 1 Easter Egger pullet, 1 buff Orpington pullet.

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post #7 of 26
4/23/12 at 9:36am

We have a mixed flock and also LOVE our 2 Buff Orpington girls. I was thinking, just to throw it out there in case you hadn't thought of it...there are other colors of Orpingtons available too! Lavender, black, chocolate, white and I am sure others. : )

 

Also, I too agree with Sunny on the Brahmas, I heard they are very sweet.

Stay-at-home-Mom with 1 wonderful hubby and 2 amazing kids, 1 poodle, 1 schnauzer, 1 cat, 9 Peppered Cory catfish, 3 Easter Eggers, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Black Australorps, 2 Red Star Sex-links, and 1 Speckled Sussex and a MIL downstairs! Never a dull moment at our house.

My son made my chicken avatar out of LEGO's. It is our chicken, Lucy.
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Stay-at-home-Mom with 1 wonderful hubby and 2 amazing kids, 1 poodle, 1 schnauzer, 1 cat, 9 Peppered Cory catfish, 3 Easter Eggers, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Black Australorps, 2 Red Star Sex-links, and 1 Speckled Sussex and a MIL downstairs! Never a dull moment at our house.

My son made my chicken avatar out of LEGO's. It is our chicken, Lucy.
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post #8 of 26
4/23/12 at 9:40am

Orps, cochins, & delawares from my experience,

 

 Be prepared though for the hens to go broody. For some reason most of the friendly sociable breeds are also the broody ones wink.png

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post #9 of 26
4/23/12 at 9:56am

Try Old English Game bantams. They are calm and sociable around people and I have heard that they are a popular breed for children to raise and exhibit. They are one of the most popular breeds at shows and, if you get good stock, are stunningly beautiful when full-grown. The hens go broody frequently and are good egg-producers. However, it takes 2-3 bantam eggs to equal 1 standard egg.

 

Hatchery OEG's tend to not be anything close to the standard, though occasionally a few nice birds may turn out if the hatchery doesn't mix any other breeds in. I have seen some pics of Ideal Poultry's OEG's, and occasionally I see a nice-looking male, but still not close to the show-lines. If you want the purest and the best, go to private breeders. If you just want something that is small and entertaining with no regards to standards, Ideal Poultry is a good place to try.

 

God bless,

~Gresh~

Member of the United States Orloff Club. Visit our website at www.usorloffs.weebly.com. Support the Russian Orloff chicken breed!

 

~Jesus Christ is my Savior~

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Member of the United States Orloff Club. Visit our website at www.usorloffs.weebly.com. Support the Russian Orloff chicken breed!

 

~Jesus Christ is my Savior~

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post #10 of 26
4/23/12 at 9:57am

Oh, I forgot, welcome-byc.gif

Member of the United States Orloff Club. Visit our website at www.usorloffs.weebly.com. Support the Russian Orloff chicken breed!

 

~Jesus Christ is my Savior~

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Member of the United States Orloff Club. Visit our website at www.usorloffs.weebly.com. Support the Russian Orloff chicken breed!

 

~Jesus Christ is my Savior~

Reply
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