Any Advice on Breeds for a Newbie who hasn't yet started her flock??

[Frost Homestead]

IMO silkies are the best chickens for pets. I would think that if people here in central texas can raise them without issues from the heat I would say you're probably safe, it's so hot here for months on end. I would definitely get one

but I'm a total silkie enabler since I got mine. she's the sweetest

 

[LDberlinn]

Quote:
I will definitely look at Slikies a little harder now thank you! I love the way they look so much

 

[littlecreekfarm]

orpingtons are wonderful, australorps are too, red sex-links are great, hmmmmmmmmm americuanas and easter eggers are all good birds

 

[LDberlinn]

Quote:
Sounds like you can't go wrong with the chickies

I'm glad there aren't breeds that are no-no's for newbie owners!

 

[centrarchid]

With respect to your coop system, after making certain size is more then adequate, make certain you pay attention to details of predator management. The design needs to be strong enough so racoons can not force their way in and digging predators can not dig under. Also make certain roosting and nesting birds can not be reached by a predators muzzle or racoons hands.

If you explore free ranging the flock, wait until they are near adult size. If they are of the smaller or more modified breeds (bantams, Polish, silkies), then free ranging might not be wise unless you have a very competent dog. Also consider managing habitat so birds have cover, especially from hawks. The greatest advantage of cover is that is reduces odds you flock will be detected but if of good quality (which may conflict with landscapers inputs), then cover can be a refuge many hawks will not follow chickens into.

 

[tuckertori]

I started with 2 Barred rock and 2 Ameracaunas. I love them all. They are really social, which we like. The BR lay good sized brown eggs daily and the Ameracaunas lay smaller blue/green eggs daily. My Am. has stopped for now...I think the cold weather suddenly hit and the dark days in Seattle. They all have their own personality and are so much fun. My sister has Australorps and they are not social at all...they run from people. Good luck, it is so much fun. We started with day old chicks, which worked out great for us.

 

[GardenGal]

I love silkies as well, but read from numerous sources that they tend to go broody a lot, so you might want to factor that in.

One tip I learned too late: seal up the nesting boxes until the hens are old enough to lay. I thought it was so cute how they all loved to crowd into a nesting box - until they were still crowding and fighting as well!

Take Your Vacation Before You Get Chickens. No matter how prepared you think you are, odds are you're going to do a lot of learning over the summer, and it will be hard to pull away.

Take LOTS of chick pictures! And enjoy!

 

[Carin]

I can't believe nobody mentioned Brahmas yet. They are the kings of the poultry world!! Docile, lovely social birds and talkative. The roosters are not fighters and they are intelligent birds. You need to have Brahmas also!

 

[NYChicks345]

Barred Rocks, Speckeled Sussex, Australorps, and Wayandottes would be my picks... Although our silkies and Sultan Bantams r very cuddly. I thinks most breeds can become pets, just depends on how much time you spend with them. Remember to have fun and enjoy them... Sounds weird to some but they will provide you with hours of enjoyment.