First timer choosing breed

[Faulkinbizzle]

Hello /an/, I'm having a problem with fleas and ticks this year. I've heard of a couple of cases of lyme disease and rocky mountain spotted fever in my area (central Oklahoma, USA.) I have three young kids so I'm desperate for a solid solution. I have tried sevendust in the past but not having as much success this year. I've heard chickens are a good way to keep the tick population down. However, I have some dilemmas. First, my children, I would have to find an extremely docile breed due to my youngest son is 3 years old and will surely chase the chickens if he has the opportunity. Second, my dogs, I have a Rottweiler and a yorkie that get along well with other animals. I would like to start off with little invested in case my dogs do decide to kill them. Lastly, I live in town, I would like to get both hens and roosters but if noise becomes an issue, rooster becomes dinner and I will only keep hens. So, I came here in hopes for some advice on breeds and advice on getting started with little investment.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

I don't know about your region, but here the cheap birds are production hens, crossbreeds that aren't known to be quiet or mellow. My breeds make nice pets; they go for $15 plus for pullets here. I have dogs, also, so my girls don't free range.

 

[Faulkinbizzle]

I would like to free range provided my dogs allow it. In my region, winters get as cold as 5 F and summers get as hot as 110 F. I would be willing to spend $30 - $40. I have plenty of wood to build a coop.

 

[Den in Penn]

Welcome to BYC
Defiantly have to make sure the dogs accept the chickens. And train the kids too. Check the town's ordinances to see what you are allowed, a lot of places don't allow roosters, and some no chickens at all. Just about any common breed will do.