a good breed for newbie?

[Chick-e-poo]

what is a good cold weather laying chicken for beginners? I know that sounds funny! We live in a pretty cold climate so that has narrowed my search a little. I really want a chicken that is good with kids (mine are 4 & 8). I was looking at the buff Orpingtons and the Wyandotte breeds. I guess I just don't want anything aggressive since my boys want to help take care of the chickens
My parents had some Rhode Island reds for meat chickens so they didn't winter them over

 

[ThePRfan]

Production reds.

Very docile,and hardy.Best layers around,besides the australorp,which is a great breed for beginners.

Most production reds have thay,"Don't put a hand on me!"me attitude.But,they don't like touched.Is it that big , of a dea

 

[Twistedfeather]

Breeds without single combs with pea, walnut or leadless rose seem to do okay with the cold. Silkies look like they can wistand the cold but their down protects them even less than a normal chicken. The Chantecler was designed specifically to withstand the cold canadian winters. Hope you can choose.

 

[duckmom14]

it would be a rhoed island red there good layers for newbies

 

[duckmom14]

the most sad thing happend on a post called my ducks

 

[keesmom]

Where are you located? There is cold, then there is COLD. Wyandottes are cold hardy, with their rose combs. Your kids are young so they may like some Easter Eggers for their unique colors and blue/green eggs.

 

[ThePRfan]

Rhode Island reds are too aggressive.

X2 on rosecombs.
I never even thought about that.....

 

[Chick-e-poo]

Where are you located? There is cold, then there is COLD. Wyandottes are cold hardy, with their rose combs. Your kids are young so they may like some Easter Eggers for their unique colors and blue/green eggs.

We're in Garrett County Maryland. It can get in the teens & single digits during the winter.

 

[Michael OShay]

I would suggest Black Australorps. I've raised them for years (along with dozens of other breeds), and they are incredibly hardy in both cold and heat, calm and gentle (my children, and now my granddaughter, made lap pets of ours), and are the best layers of the standard, brown egg laying breeds. A Black Australorp holds the brown egg laying record with 364 eggs in 365 days. Whatever breed you decide to get, good luck with your flock.

 

[keesmom]

We're in Garrett County Maryland. It can get in the teens & single digits during the winter.

That's not that cold. Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Rocks, Austrolorps, and Easter Eggers are all good. If you don't care much about high egg production there are Cochins. I have Faverolles which are very docile but generally lay medium-large eggs.