I'M TRYING SO HARD TO GET STARTED

Welcome, i'm also kind of new too. I think it's great to get kids started with chickens.   I ordered delawares too because of their docile temperment but recently heard the brahmas are really great with kids so i also ordered a couple of those as well.  When are the chicks coming?

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wlee, sorry to hear about the peeps. Hope you have good luck with the next try at this wonderful hobby. We prefer Light Brahmas, although it seems everyone likes the breed they have. Brahmas are gentle, good light brown egg layers, and take the cold better than some breeds. Welcome to BYC.

  bigzio

Some suggestions, check to see if there is a poultry group on Yahoo for Virginia. See if there is a poultry club in your area, they would be a good source for birds and avoid the hazards of shipping. Watch for poultry shows in your area.

Look in the topic, Where are you? to see if there are folks near you that have the breeds you're interested in. Also, look in the Backyard Breeders topic.

I try to avoid shipping lives because of the hazards, I have a bird dieing now that was shipped. The post office lost my guineas the first time I ordered. I will never do it again.

wlee,  whatever you decide, you will have a great bunch of people here pulling for ya! Keep us posted and Good Luck!

-Eric

So sorry to hear about your chicks.

Check with your local feed stores and see if they will have chicks this spring.  You might also see if they will order some for you with their order.

Wlee,

Where are you in VA? I'm in Stafford county just north of Fredericksburg.
I just placed an order for some chicks from Meyers Hatchery (shipping late March when it's a little warmer!). I'm getting what's comonly called easter eggers, just because I like the idea of the egg color and that the chicks may have some variety in looks.  From what I've researched most "laying" type breeds can be friendly, just like with dogs and cats it depends a lot on their upbringing.

If you live in a city, I would not get young chicks from a local farm because they will be what's known as a "straight run", meaning you are likely to get as many roosters as hens (which means lots of noise . You can get pullets (young hens) from a local farm or go in with someone on an order from a hatchery.

We have two Delaware hens and one of them is the friendliest of all 7 of our hens.  She follows me around and seems to like being picked up... at least, she struggles the least of all of them.