Future Midwestern Chicken Mom

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I'm in Ohio. Save yourself trouble, and look at only cold-hardy breeds with clean legs (as opposed to feather-legged.) Silkies are cute, but don't have any weather protecting feathers. My Easter Egger chicks were convinced I was the devil until they started to lay. A friend helped me (gently but forcibly) hold them (just one day for a couple of hours) and feed them treats; now they come running when they see me. Same for Buff Orpington. Mine are pullets. I'm getting green and blue-green eggs from the E. Eggers--pretty and large. Pretty much an egg a day per bird. I think the Eggers have fun personalities, and I like it that they all look different. Mine have shown pretty laid-back behavior toward other birds. Know that if you go to a hatchery (I drive to Meyers to get chicks) they hatch only certain breeds on a given day, so unless the breeds you want have been hatched on consecutive days, you might not get all the breeds you want. Do ask when you get there if they have any "leftovers" of a breed you desire, if they aren't supposed to be available on that specific day. I was able to get 2 breeds that supposedly weren't available when I picked up my E.Eggers. Happy to have you aboard! I LOVE it when people do responsible research BEFORE taking on the responsibility of providing for the welfare of a living creature...including children...
 
Wow, thank you for the warm welcome! And I really appreciate everyone sharing their stories about specific breeds. I have young nephews and a niece who I assume will want to visit with my chicks/hens so friendliness is definitely important to me. I am taking my research seriously -- being in charge of lives means I want to be able to do everything in my power to help and protect them. :) I have even started collecting items for my chicken first aid kit!

Anyone have thoughts on nurture vs nature with chickens? Are certain traits just part of a breed... or does it come down to consistent/good handling from a young age?
 
Grey Gables said:
Anyone have thoughts on nurture vs nature with chickens? Are certain traits just part of a breed... or does it come down to consistent/good handling from a young age?
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Chickens definitely learn from their environment. I think it depends on what type of chickens you want to keep. If you want them as pets and lap sitters, start them out early....sit with them, let them climb on you, dole out treats when you come to see them, talk to them, follow them around and encourage an affectionate relationship. If you are looking for a passive flock just for the eggs or even consumption of the birds themselves, you would just let them become what they will without a lot of interaction.
 

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