I'm new to the whole backyard chicken thing, but very excited! I've been pouring over hatchery catalagues and I think I know what I want. I want some opinions!
I live in Cincinnati, Ohio with 3 acres. We average a low of 27F in January and 87F in July. That said we were -7F last winter and have a record low of -16F. The coop will be on the south side of the house, and is sheltered by the house from the winter wind. It will not be heated. Chickens will have a run attached to coop and a chicken tractor. They will be in the run until I am home from work, then they will go into the tractor. No free range because I do not have a physical fence and both of my neighbors have labs.
I know individual chickens may vary from the standard but I have never met these breeds so I want to hear it from you.
I want friendly egg layers that can handle the weather here. I would like half my chickens to lay decent during winter with no extra light. I plan on picking one to be my "pet". Looking to keep it under 6 chickens. No roosters. I don't want my chickens to fight so if I have a breed listed that doesn't play well with others please inform me. I don't know if I want to get six different chickens or pairs or 3 of 2 kinds.
Here are the breeds/colors I'm looking at:
1) Buff Orphington
2) White Orphington
3) Columbian Wyandotte - so beautiful
4) Australorp
5) Red Star
6) Silver Laced Wyandotte
7) Golden Laced Wyandotte
8) Barnevelder
9) Speckeled Sussex
I just can't narrow it down!
I am either going to order from Meyer or Murry McMurray. I was also wondering when I should place my order - I don't want to miss out and have all the ones I want gone.
I also want to get 2 call ducks - I'm going to sneak them in under hubby's nose
I live in Cincinnati, Ohio with 3 acres. We average a low of 27F in January and 87F in July. That said we were -7F last winter and have a record low of -16F. The coop will be on the south side of the house, and is sheltered by the house from the winter wind. It will not be heated. Chickens will have a run attached to coop and a chicken tractor. They will be in the run until I am home from work, then they will go into the tractor. No free range because I do not have a physical fence and both of my neighbors have labs.
I know individual chickens may vary from the standard but I have never met these breeds so I want to hear it from you.
I want friendly egg layers that can handle the weather here. I would like half my chickens to lay decent during winter with no extra light. I plan on picking one to be my "pet". Looking to keep it under 6 chickens. No roosters. I don't want my chickens to fight so if I have a breed listed that doesn't play well with others please inform me. I don't know if I want to get six different chickens or pairs or 3 of 2 kinds.
Here are the breeds/colors I'm looking at:
1) Buff Orphington
2) White Orphington
3) Columbian Wyandotte - so beautiful
4) Australorp
5) Red Star
6) Silver Laced Wyandotte
7) Golden Laced Wyandotte
8) Barnevelder
9) Speckeled Sussex
I just can't narrow it down!
I am either going to order from Meyer or Murry McMurray. I was also wondering when I should place my order - I don't want to miss out and have all the ones I want gone.
I also want to get 2 call ducks - I'm going to sneak them in under hubby's nose