Breed choices!

[Rondiesel]

Hey all, new member to BYC but have searched the sight for several months doing research. My wife and I have been looking into ducks and chickens for quite some time now and I think we have finally settled on chickens for now. We are looking to get four to six hens and I really like the smaller breeds like the easter egger. I haven't built any coop or run yet but wanna pic a breed first so I can get them started and then move to construction of the coop. What breeds do you guys recommend as far as easy temperments and pretty good egg layers? I have looked at so many in the past couple months that my head is spinning. They will free range some but for the most part stay in the run unless we can supervise such as on the weekends. So I wanna do it right and give them plenty of space, and dont worry, I will build bigger than I think for the addition of those extras down the road that we HAVE TO HAVE right now. Also to me, I love woodworking and the building part is half the fun of keeping them, so coop run ideas are always appreciated. I just finished a rustic cabin style Quail hutch for our Coturnix Quail and I gotta say this backyard bird thing is addicting. So Im gonna put my OCD aside for a moment and see if you guys can help me out and shoot me in the right direction on some fun chickens. Thanks for reading my novel, Im done.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Welcome to BYC!
Just remember that what seems like "plenty of time" to worry about construction of the coop and run can become surprisingly insufficient as chicks quickly outgrow the brooder while, at the same time, distracting you and taking up valuable building time that is better spent admiring their cuteness.
What kind of climate do you live in? This will help with breed suggestions to go along with your desire for light bodied, friendly birds who are good producers.

 

[Rondiesel]

I live in northwestern Colorado so we do get some cold winters and some hot summers. I agree, it would be wise to have the coop and run up and going before I start raising chicks.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Do you have a preference on egg colors?

 

[Rondiesel]

I do love the green and blue eggs, but I like the look of fresh brown eggs as well. I'm not too picky other than white. that just takes some of the fun out of fresh eggs!

 

[Michael OShay]

I would recommend Black Sex Links (Black Stars) which are hardy and friendly, egg laying machines. I've raised them for years (along with dozens of other breeds and hybrids), and they have been my best layers, consistently churning out more than 300 large brown eggs per hen per year. Whatever breed or hybrid you decide to get, good luck with your flock. )