Brand new to chickens - need advice

[erindubb]

Hi - I am dying to have backyard chickens. I am wondering what kind of chicks to get. I have two children (3 years and 1 year) and a largish fenced in backyard. I am looking into building a coop and a run (we have cats in the neighborhood and live close to woods with raccoons, foxes, owls) We live in Northern KY so I was looking at the breed page for advice but there are TOO many!! I want them as pets, but also to lay eggs we will be eating. So, any advice about which breeds to get. I am thinking we will have 3 chickens. Maybe 6 chicks (if we have to buy them by the 6) and I will give the other three to a local farm when they get to big to live in our little coop. I just don't know where to start. I like the looks of the Holland and the ones that are all fluffy with afros, but maybe they are not the good kind to start with. HELP! Thanks so much

 

[faykokoWV]

I would recommend you start with chicks. That way they are more bonded to you and should be friendly. If you buy chicks, you should look for someone that sells sexed chicks so you can get all hens. Roosters and little ones can be a bad combination. As to what breed that's more of a personal choice. Because you are in a cool climate, but not a cold climate your options are pretty wide open. However, I would recommend a pea combed bird just because if it does get cold there is less worry of frostbite. Easter Egger and Ameraucanas are usually friendly, lay well and have a pea comb. I would bet your kids would love the green/blue eggs too.

 

[Cocotte]

I am new to chickens as well, and my kids are also 3 and 1. We started off with 2 easter egger chicks a couple of weeks ago, and a couple of days ago got 4 ameraucana chicks as well. The 2 easter eggers have been with us since they were a day old and are very friendly, my daughter's is especially sweet and was chasing her around the backyard this morning

The ameraucanas are a month old and brand new to us, but are already becoming more friendly.


edited to add: I chose these breeds because I really wanted the coloured eggs, thought it would be really fun for my kids to get coloured eggs, and I've read a lot of great things here about easter eggers and ameraucanas being very sweet, friendly birds.