First post after lurking for awhile..

[catlvr976]

Hello everyone,

My name is Jessica, and I've been lurking here for quite some time now, b/c I've not been real sure whether we were going to keep chickens or not. Well, we went today to get the supplies to build our coop, so that means that we are going to be keeping chickens!

I'm so excited and I know that my girls are excited, at least the older 2, as my youngest is only 8 months. My dh, on the other hand, is kind of in disbelief that we are going to have chickens. I think he must think we're crazy, but, he's going to build us the coop, so, he must be into it on some level!

Anyway, I'm thinking of getting around 5-6 chickens as we have neighbors all around us (and yes, I've checked the local ordinances, and no, there are no rules whatsoever on keeping poultry). I wonder what they're going to think. We are pretty close with our neighbors next to us, they have children that play with ours, and they haven't objected to our plans, but still......

Anyone know of any breeds that are good with kids and that can tolerate cold? I live near Pittsburgh, Pa, if that helps. What I've been thinking about are, buff orpingtons, black australorps, Rhode Island reds, my daughter wants a white chicken, and I'm interested in the Easter eggers. Anyone have any more suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[George in NH]

Hi, welcome. Don't worry about your husband, most people are skeptical about keeping chickens until they have them. Once you get chickens you'll wonder what took you so long.

As for breeds that are calm and handle the cold well, I would say my own experience has shown that Buff Orpingtons are pretty much perfect.

George

 

[jimnjay]

Orphingtons come to mind and of course my favorite, Faverolles. Both are very gentle cold hardy and good Layers. Both are georgeous birds as well.

 

[catlvr976]

Faverolles, I'll have to look them up. I don't think I've seen a picture of them (or maybe I have, and just never paid attention to them).

 

[bigzio]

Jessica, Welcome to BYC. Being prepared is more important than starting, so it sounds like you are off to a good start.

Glad you are aware of cold weather problems with frostbite.

There is more than one breed that is good in the cold. I have Light Brahmas and will continue with them in the future.

Stay away from single comb breeds in cold weather conditions, going with pea comb, rose comb, Walnut comb, Strawberry comb, for example will do better in winter.

Going to Murray McMurray hatchery, clicking on day old chicks and reading everything about all the different breeds is a priceless learning lesson. Good Luck.

bigzio

 

[4H kids and mom]

I'm raising Easter Eggers and Ameraucanas (the 'purebred' Easter Egger...lol) and my pullets are all very friendly. The kids and I took them outside today for the very first time! They had a blast and would follow us everywhere! Let your daughter know that Easter Eggers can come in white too! We have one that is all white, one that is white with grey, one thats white with rust/brown, plus a whole assortment of other colors!

I'd have to say I'm partial to my Easter Eggers, even though they aren't considered the 'standard' or 'show quality'. They're the sweetest of my bunch and come in so many pretty colors. And I cant wait for blue and green eggs!

Also, Ameraucanas and Easter Eggers are very hardy and great winter birds because of their pea comb (no frostbite) and I live in Wisconsin which gets a little colder than you sometimes!

 

[SpottedCrow]

Welcome!
Go to this site and it will show you some of the breeds that are out there.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html
Then try this site; that will give you some more information about what you can expect in regards to egg laying and cold tolerance.
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html
I know that my Brahma was really good in the cold, but she suffered in the heat. I wound up plopping her in a wading pool when it got really hot and muggy.
My Leghorn grumbles about the cold, but doesn't mind the heat.