Decisions to make on which chicks to get

[kar-bear]

I am wanting just 3 or 4 to start out, this is new to me, I want to have them for eggs, not hatching.
I also want them to be comfortable with me, we dont have small children but 2 large dogs. I need to have an opinion on what breed to get.. We want med/large white and brown eggs.
I fell in love with the Frizzle and Silkies, but their eggs are not real big, but they are very cute chickens.. What other type are fluffy and unusal looking, and have good personalities?

This is all new to me, I am just learning... I need some help... LOL

 

[jdoane]

Try the breed selector tool on My Pet Chicken to get some starter ideas.

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx

Also if you want a flock of 3-4 consider getting a few extras incase you end up with a surprise rooster or lose some. Or to reduce risk of rooster you can go with the sex link chickens (there is golden sex link, black sex link, and red sex link). Then you would be sure of girls and good layers.

 

[Bullitt]

What other type are fluffy and unusal looking, and have good personalities?

This is all new to me, I am just learning... I need some help... LOL

I am not sure what you consider unusual looking.

Here are some ideas with generally friendly breeds:


Silver Laced Wyandotte (around 200 brown eggs per year.)



Buff Orpington (around 200 brown eggs per year.)





Light Brahma (They have feathers on their feet, and they lay about 180 to 240 brown eggs per year.)




Black Australorp (About 250 brown eggs per year.)

Plymouth Rock (They come in many color varieties. This is a Partridge Plymouth Rock and lays about 200 brown eggs per year.)

Speckled Sussex (lays about 200 brown eggs per year.)

Welsummer (lays about 200 dark brown eggs a year)




Barred Holland (One of the few breeds without white ear lobes that lays white eggs. Lays about 200 white eggs a year.)






Easter Egger (This is similar to an Ameraucana, but doesn't meet breed standards. It is difficult to find an Ameraucana, except from breeders. They come in many colors. Lays 200 to 280 blue, green, or other colored eggs.)

 

[kar-bear]

Thank you for the response, I like the kind that dont look like ordinary chickens, I would like some that people dont usually see.
Silkies and Frizzles are very unusal looking, but I think their eggs are too small, at least thats what I have heard.
I like the Buff and Easter Eggers looks.

 

[Bullitt]

Thank you for the response, I like the kind that dont look like ordinary chickens, I would like some that people dont usually see.
Silkies and Frizzles are very unusal looking, but I think their eggs are too small, at least thats what I have heard.
I like the Buff and Easter Eggers looks.

Generally the more rare they are the fewer eggs they will produce. Not always, but it is often the case.

I see you are in Missouri. Take a look at Cackle Hatchery's website. Here is the rare breeds page. http://www.cacklehatchery.com/page4.html

Maybe Polish is a breed you would like.

 

[chiqita]

Ornamenntal chicken s don't lay well.and I would not recommend polish as starter chickens.

Maybe frizzled cochins? But if you want chickens that lay over 200 eggs a year they won't look that unusual. You could also try showgirls the turken blood makes them lay more then your average silkie but they have a defined look that can freak people out.

 

[MoreHens]

kar-bear
"Thank you for the response, I like the kind that dont look like ordinary chickens, I would like some that people dont usually see.....I like the Buff and Easter Eggers looks"

Please note that Easter Egger colors are variable. The photo posted above is lovely, others will have different mixtures of colors because they are made by crossing different varieties

 

[kar-bear]

OK, Thank you.. I need to keep up on my chicken homework..lol

 

[lilypad]

What about Faverolles? They are adorable and docile. Good quality chicks can be sexed at around 3 weeks (once their feathers start coming through), they're meant to be pretty good layers and lay through winter.

I'm not sure if mine are big bantams or small LF haha! Only one is laying (laid her first egg today!) so can't comment on how many they lay a week yet. But they are unusual looking and so, so friendly.

 

[Bill Matthews]

TO: kar-bear......I suggest that you look at Salmon Faverolles...You can see them on Cackle Hatchery's website and maybe pick them up at their hatchery....They are beautiful and good layers...Very unusual and won't cost you $50-$100 like the cost on My Pet Chicken...The resellers charge outrageous prices for the chicks, tack on double or triple shipping costs and then often send chicks of inferior quality, because they have no in house hatching....Meyer Hatchery ships as few as 3 chicks...Their chicks are good quality....Take Care and Good Luck..