Breed Recommendations

[Churchlady]

I have buff orps and one is so docile, she'll walk on a leash! Oh, and they were the only girls I had that laid consistently through the winter.

 

[stormylady]

Well it looks like I have to get at least a few orpingtons! LOL Do they like being handled?

All mine do!! Even Zeus and he is huge!

 

[Lynzi777]

This is all really great info. I wish I could get into this hobby sooner, you all are making me want to order right now. LOL Can't wait for June to get here. I think I will start off with 2-3 BOs and 2-3 Silkies. I've read most sites say the Silkies can live in both warm and cold climates. I'm hoping they would do well together with the BOs. Thats the only thing I really have to look into next - what breeds are ok together with others.

 

[DirtCreature]

Our first flock where rhode island reds. LOVED them, and so did the kids, great birds. Layed a lot almost 250 eggs a year for our girls per bird. and we live in Washington state so it can get pretty cold and is most the year, plus all our dang rain!

 

[CitySilkies88]

I got my Silkies last summer as a first time backyard chicken owner.

I bought mature pullets because I wanted to be sure that I had females (I live in the city and Silkie chicks are extremely hard to sex). They are three very sweet hens who came from a large (well cared for) flock of 30. So they didn't get a whole lot of one on one time with people. But they were pretty easy to win over with treats. Most Silkies LOVE to be held. I know mine do. Though mine don't enjoy the intial pick up. They flap their wings ect. but they calm down after a few minutes after the hen feels secure in my arms.

They are very hardy for such little fluffy birds. They made it through our Ohio winter perfectly fine (though it was a warm winter). And I don't know if this is typical Silkie behavior. But my girls LOVE rain (in warm weather). They love to stand and get soaked. The woman I bought them from told me her whole flock was like that when it came to rain. For what ever reason they seem to enjoy it. Though they tend to look like drowned rats after the fact.

They are not noisy. Or atleast my girls are not. They occasionally will get loud if something worries them but they quiet down pretty quickly. I have never had any complaints from neighbors. Oh! And my girls have laid eggs for me since I brought them home. Summer, fall, winter, and now spring they consistantly give me eggs

I personally think Silkies are great for first timers.

Though I havent had any experience with any other breeds. Right now I have six Golden Sex-Link chicks in a brooder and am really enjoying their disposition.

 

[blackstorm]

I am north of you in the Cato area and I picked up some Buff Orpintons and some EE chicks, I was worried about the cold and wanted a small comb bird so they are less likely to get frost bite. I am also worried about the high winds like we had today in combination with the cold that can be brutal to all livestock. Good luck with your choices and remember it is chick days at TSC and each store has a different selection. The Clay location had the EE chicks earlier but I did not see them the last time I was in there. Good Luck in your search

 

[Egghead_Jr]

The birds your neighbor has are Barred Plymouth Rock, Silver laced Wyandotte, Buff Orpington and I can't tell the white and buff one. You should chat with your neighbor about their thoughts on pros and cons of those breeds. Orpington is the English answer to their own national utility bird after America's Plymouth Rock and others took the world by storm, which the Rock was used in original making of the breed. Wyandotte is another old American dual purpose breed whose rose comb hold up to frost bite very well.

There are so many docile and productive breeds out there to chose from. The more you handle them the friendlier and down right "needy" they get.

 

[Lynzi777]

What are your thoughts on Barnevelders and Marans? I had contacted someone not too far from me a couple of weeks ago and she also recommended these breeds as far as being good for children to raise. I had thought about getting some of those if they were available if it difficult for me to obtain some silkies.

 

[Chicken Frenzie]

Have you looked at the Light Brahama? Mine is SUPER sweet, and loves being petted. Our winters get pretty cold too- and she's handled it.