becoming chicken crazy!

[JacinLarkwell]

Look into Cornish bantams. They seem to be more moldable into slightly calmer birds. Especially the male's, but I have a few hens that once I scoop them up, they generally tolerate it

 

[CaretakerCarol]

I really don't think breed has too much to do with friendliness among highly domesticated breeds, but our EE and Leghorns are very flighty and every Barred Rock we have/had follow us around like puppy dogs.

My favorite hen, though, is our golden wyandotte -- independent and beautiful

 

[Folly's place]

An Easter Egger for those nice colored eggs (usually). Speckled Sussex are beautiful, lay tan eggs, and are very personable, always a favorite of mine. Plymouth Rocks come is several colors, look at the buff if barred isn't your favorite color choice.
Any of the red types might be overbearing in a flock, but lots of eggs will be likely. Salmon Favorelles are wonderful, but meek and mild, I wouldn't add one with red sex-links.
Our Buckeye hen is very interactive, and so are our French Marans hens (who lay those chocolate eggs!).
Will you be buying birds from a feed store, or ordering from a hatchery? is there a fairly nearby hatchery where you could pick up chicks yourself?
Breed selections have been difficult this year, if you are ordering chicks, do it sooner, not later, so you might get breeds you want.
And it's a trial, really, you might fall in love with some, and not others, and make other choices later. Many hens don't live to be old, sadly. Some may reach ten years of age, but many don't do well much past three. Sorry, but it's true.
Wyandottes come in many colors, all beautiful.
Have fun! Post pictures when you get your coop going, and your chick choices.
Mary

 

[CharlotteB12]

By the way do any of you use heat lamps? Well we will not be it is a fire hazard. And chicks could die from having a heat lamp shining on them. They get what some people call pasty butt or poopy butt.

 

[CharlotteB12]

An Easter Egger for those nice colored eggs (usually). Speckled Sussex are beautiful, lay tan eggs, and are very personable, always a favorite of mine. Plymouth Rocks come is several colors, look at the buff if barred isn't your favorite color choice.
Any of the red types might be overbearing in a flock, but lots of eggs will be likely. Salmon Favorelles are wonderful, but meek and mild, I wouldn't add one with red sex-links.
Our Buckeye hen is very interactive, and so are our French Marans hens (who lay those chocolate eggs!).
Will you be buying birds from a feed store, or ordering from a hatchery? is there a fairly nearby hatchery where you could pick up chicks yourself?
Breed selections have been difficult this year, if you are ordering chicks, do it sooner, not later, so you might get breeds you want.
And it's a trial, really, you might fall in love with some, and not others, and make other choices later. Many hens don't live to be old, sadly. Some may reach ten years of age, but many don't do well much past three. Sorry, but it's true.
Wyandottes come in many colors, all beautiful.
Have fun! Post pictures when you get your coop going, and your chick choices.
Mary

We'll be probably either going somewhere were we pick chicks out of bins and buy them or ordering from a hatchery. I will definitely post pictures of our new coop and the chicks as they grow into hens. Great advice by the way you are very helpful! thanks again!

 

[MommaG2023]

By the way do any of you use heat lamps? Well we will not be it is a fire hazard. And chicks could die from having a heat lamp shining on them. They get what some people call pasty butt or poopy butt.

Chicks can get pasty butt regardless of the heat choice you prefer. I use a brooder plate and also noticed some breeds seem more prone than others to pasty butt as chicks too. Daily butt checks...several times a day...and feet checks are really important. Just for future reference.

 

[CharlotteB12]

Chicks can get pasty butt regardless of the heat choice you prefer. I use a brooder plate and also noticed some breeds seem more prone than others to pasty butt as chicks too. Daily butt checks...several times a day...and feet checks are really important. Just for future reference

Chicks can get pasty butt regardless of the heat choice you prefer. I use a brooder plate and also noticed some breeds seem more prone than others to pasty butt as chicks too. Daily butt checks...several times a day...and feet checks are really important. Just for future reference.

Chicks can get pasty butt regardless of the heat choice you prefer. I use a brooder plate and also noticed some breeds seem more prone than others to pasty butt as chicks too. Daily butt checks...several times a day...and feet checks are really important. Just for future reference.

LOL daily butt checks

 

[JacinLarkwell]

By the way do any of you use heat lamps? Well we will not be it is a fire hazard. And chicks could die from having a heat lamp shining on them. They get what some people call pasty butt or poopy butt.

Yes. For all my brooder chicks for at least a few days, and sometimes my broody hens have one in their pen if they decide to set during winter, especially if they have a big clutch

 

[JacinLarkwell]

LOL daily butt checks

It's true. Especially with certain breeds (Cornish bantams, silkies, araucana, cochin are the ones ive raised that constantly need checks, no matter the heat source), they're more susceptible than others

 

[fluffycrow]

By the way do any of you use heat lamps? Well we will not be it is a fire hazard. And chicks could die from having a heat lamp shining on them. They get what some people call pasty butt or poopy butt.

Are you going to use brooder plates then?