Chicken suggestions for small flock?

[MemphisMel]

We are trying to decide what types of hens to get. We have three children, ages 8, 4, and 2. I'm sure they will want to love on at least one of them and make it more of a pet. The hubby and I are looking for good egg layers. We have room for three hens. We plan to add a few more once we sell this house and move to some acreage.
We live in the Memphis, TN area. We have some freezing temps here and days that are super hot and humid.
I would like the hens to lay all year.
They will live in a tractor with roost on top until we move. We homeschool and do our work outside when the weather permits so we are outside a lot.

Our list of possibilities include:

speckled sussex
australorp
easter egger
white leghorn
rhode island red or new hampshire red

The whole family agrees that we would like a mix of hens, not just one type.

We are waiting for Tractor Supply to get their order in, which they tell me has a good mix. I'm thinking of ordering from Cackle if they don't come in soon.

Any advice you can give would be so appreciated.

Oh, and I wanted to say that when we move we are planning to build a hoop house.

 

[patman75]

Those are all top of the line layers. EE can be hit or miss if they are very good or just good layers.

Check local feed stores, they have chicks too.


Good luck!

 

[rhoda_bruce]

no rooster?
Just asking. I also homeschool. The roosters can't be trusted even with my 14 year old. Some have chickens as pets. I personally don't trust my kids alone with the chickens or should I say maybe the opposite?
But I can't argue with your selection. You certainly will have enough eggs.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

your selection looks good. I have Partridge Cochins, and they are my favorites of my chickens..they are so gentle and calm and lay every day pretty much. Also Salmon Faverolles are Great to handle and lay nicely.

 

[NewHopePoultry]

Good list

 

[ChicknLover]

I vote for the first three, I personally don't like leghorns although they are egg laying machines they are flighty and mine started picking on others.. I don't have experiance with the last one (RH red)

 

[underground chickenman]

Black Australorp's are good layers. Leghorns are machines if you want white eggs. Barred Rocks are another nice one that you should consider. Great layer and good disposition. If you want to combine great egg laying (6-7 days per week) and super friendliness, get some Red Stars and Black Stars, aka red and black sex links. Can't go wrong with those.

UGCM

 

[gallina man]

i have 6 rsl and a 4 year old they are great with the kid he feeds them from his hands they


sit on his lap he loves them and great layers

 

[Break an Egg]

New hampshire reds are good birds, very pretty too. I have an EE that doesn't lay at all and one that lays almost every day. EE's are cool to because you get them and they completely change from the chick you brought home when they are mature.

 

[cmom]

Here is a great reference book, Gail Damerow's 'Storey's Guide to Chickens' is an excellent resource, as well as this web site which is an excellent source of information.

These sites are especially helpful in selecting breeds.
http://www.mypetchicken.com/breedQuestions.aspx
Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html

Also here are some other good sites and info and more good links.
http://www.mypetchicken.com/aboutChickens.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/lcenter.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart