Best breed for a first timer?

[joletabey]

I just came back in from the coop and run, where I spent about 15-20 minutes sitting on a rock with three Delaware hens on my right leg, one Delaware hen in my lap, the rest clustered at my sides, and my big ole Delaware roo, Luke, on my left knee, letting me scratch his back. Of the 8 Delaware girls I have, I average 5-6 eggs a day, (they are pullets- just started laying a couple of months ago) and they are more inquisitive than scared of anything new. The dogs and cats don't phase them whatsoever.

Do you think I am pushing Delawares?

HOWEVER- get them from a breeder if you can. This breed just got off the critical list, and could still use some help.

 

[JMPE]

I started by using the My Pet Chicken breed selection tool... http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx because I knew nothing and wanted to be sure I got breeds that could handle the cold winters.

I ended up with 1 Australorp (very sweet and calm, curious), 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte (kind of bossy, but a good girl), 1 Red Sex-link (the boldest of my group and best layer), 2 Easter Eggers (by far my favorites - wacky and sweet) One of my EEs is a little timid, but she is very calm.

The SLW is the only one that I might not get in my next batch. She isn't mean or anything, she just doesn't have as much personality as the others. My next sex-link will be black because I like the look. I will always have EEs, and I love the personality of my Aussie.

 

[joza2210]

Orpingtons Or Silkies

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

I have alot of different breeds (the wifes fault, yes I am blaming her lol) but so far I have found that the Barred Rocks and the orps are the most loving (ok when I have treats they are more so) they are not even affraid of one of my dogs the other one they knew from start not go near it.
When the Black lab comes to the fence my one roo looks him in the eye and walks over to him slowly and puffs up his neck feathers then stops never taking his eyes off the dog,it is funny to watch.

As for picking them up, if you start when they are in the brooder they will get used to you and know they can trust you although every now and again I need to put one of my Barred rock roo's in check "I am bigger then you" so now he runs from me, I just poke him on the head or the middle of his back when he gets rooish with me other then that though he is a good roo keeping the hens in line and protecting them.

If I were you I would go with Barred Rocks to start then as time goes on get Buffs or another breed that is what I did and it worked for me as a first timer.

Good Luck to you


PS.....Don't forget to post pics of your new fuzzy butts....

 

[Morgan7782]

I am fairly new as well, and I started with Barred Rocks and Easter Eggers. The chicks I have are VERY friendly, and they aren't bothered at all by my 57 lb pitbull. They pay him no mind, even when he is prancing around the yard with his ball. I can handle both the Barred Rock and EE chick, both perch on my arm and I read that both will be good layers. I have had a lot of luck with the Barred Rocks, plus I love the pinstripe color

The EE you have the bonus of getting green or blue eggs of course.

So, to sum up, I reccomend the Barred Rocks and/or Easter Eggers.

 

[kidcallous]

So now my next question... with all this information it brings more thoughts to mind...
I noticed a few of the responses mentioned "...in the brooder". I planned on getting maybe 'teenager' chicks - between 5-7 weeks old, from a local farm store.

When getting 5-7 week olds, do they have to start out inside of my house, or can they go straight to the coop/run?

And if they need to stay in my house... how long before they can go outside? It took me a while just to convince my husband to let me get some chickies, and he just might change his mind if our spare bedroom is part of the procedure, haha.

 

[HenThymes]

IMO, Orpingtons are one of the best breeds to start with. They are very family friendly birds. I raise orpingtons in both large and bantam sizes and just LOVE THEM. My seven year old daughter loves to be my egg collector every day.

They come in all colors and have just the prettiest fluffy bodies, lay great even thru the winter, low maintenance.

If the chicks you get are fully feathered out they should not require anything special like heat or a brooder box. I just put a group of 4 week olds out in the barn that are almost fully feathered and we just make sure they have a lamp on at night till they are 100% feathered then the light come out. They seem just fine!

Good luck and happy choosing, there are soo many breeds to choose from.

 

[carrlr]

Depending on your location...I would say a 5-7 week old chick would be fine outside of a brooder. It really depends on the low temp. for the night. By 5-7 weeks old they should be feathered out enough to handle lows in the 60s.

 

[kidcallous]

Sorry I should update my profile with location... I am in HOT HUMID FLORIDA! So I guess technically I could "incubate" eggs and babies in the sun LOL!!

The nights are high around 80 right now I think, with daytime highs in the low 90's... So I guess no matter what age, they should be fine outside.

 

[JohnnyDownhill]

I have two Orpingtons and a Australorp that are easy to pick up and are pretty tame, but my best one is my Buff Bhrama. She actually comes to you to be picked up. My daughter loves her and carries her everywhere. All three breeds are good layers and easy to keep. But my vote goes to the Bhrama.