First time chicken owner (looking for advice)

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Momof21416

Momof21416

Hatching
Mar 26, 2017
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Hello,
So I finally got my husband to agree to have chickens... I am SOO excited!! Now where to begin? We aren't getting our new family members until the end of April so I have a month to get a coop, food, feeders and all the information I need to raise healthy chickens. I have a 2 year old who is just as excited as I am. So I am looking for a the "friendliest" breed and also the best ones to produce eggs. I know chickens are not pets but I don't want ones that are aggressive since I have young kids. Is it better to look at farm to get chicks or got a store like TSC? I really am starting at 0 and need all the advice I can. Can you mix breeds or is better to keep the same ones?
 
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Welcome to BYC!
You'll want to check out the Learning Center for sure. It is helpful to check out the breed reviews as well. So many to choose from! There is likely a forum of people from your state with advice on where to find the breeds you may want. Good luck!
 
Hi and welcome to BYC and congrats on your impending flock! This part of the Learning Centre may be useful - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/getting-started-raising-chickens, in addition to these links, once you get your little ones home:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-and-raising-chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-your-baby-chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...ks-the-first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens

Here's a link to help you locate your state thread - https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread#post_3239224

All the best
CT
 
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I always thought of my chickens as pets and so do a lot of other members...don't be surprised when you refer to yours the same way! It's easy to get attached to them. You asked about mixing breeds...a mixed flock is a great way to see the differences in breeds and is so pretty with all the different colors.

Best of luck to you and if you have questions, always feel free to ask!
 
For eggs and friendliness I'd suggest Red (RSL) and Black (BSL) Sex Links. It is reported specifically that ISA Browns are the friendliest RSL, and perhaps one of the friendliest chickens period. These are great choices for beginners and you have zero chance of getting a rooster.

Just remember that chickens are timid, and so "friendly" chickens aren't necessarily going to want to sit on your lap or let you touch them. Although some might do that, generally a friendly chicken is one that will come running to you and eat out of your hand.
 
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With very young children you might like a bantam breed - like bantam Cochins- cochins in general are docile birds and the bantams are smaller editions of them. Of course it takes about 2 bantam eggs to equal regular egg size. They are lighter to carry around and handle for kids in general.

Docile breeds also include Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, Sussex, etc. There are breed reviews on BYC where the authors rate them for pros and cons, and it may help you decide.

Silkies are a child favorite(bantam size) however they are not known as great layers.
 
G’Day from down under Momof21416
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Welcome!

As you have already received links to some great starting points, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out
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My light Brahma is the friendliest but in general,and I'm in no way an expert, it seems like it's about time spent with them. As in every relationship. I have many breeds and i'd call them all friendly. As long as you make sure to set time aside to get walk and talk with them EVERYDAY, then you should have no problem whichever breed you choose. Obviously a chickens intelligence is limited but they are not "dumb" creatures. They will learn faces, calls, and routines. As for eggs, its a toss up between one of my Orpingtons and Wyandottes.
 

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