Getting Chicks But What Kind To Get????????

If you call them they should have a list of what they ordered.
Then let us know and we'll give you some ideas.

 

I would decid what you want from your gals before buying them. Extreme egg production? a sex-link. Extreme broody? Silkie. Do you want bantams? do they have to have good climate tolerace? I would use the BYC breed index to find some breeds that you would like, and have a list of them ready when you goto the feed store.

 

If these are your first chicks four hens are a good number. Every breed has advantages and disadvantages so consider the sturdier breeds like Rhode Island Reds and Buff Orpingtons. And if cost is a factor consider that some breeds eat alot more than others!

We have 2 Buff Orpingtons, two Rhode Island Reds and one Wellsummer hens. The Wellsummer lays beautiful chocolate brown eggs but is not a reliable layer so I would recommend the breed if you want a reliable supply of eggs. Beginning at about 16 weeks the Buff Orps and the RIR's laid every day all summer and, except for the one who had a molt, every other day in winter.

We also have two more Buff Orps, two Silver Laced Wyandottes, two Golden Laced Wyandottes and two Copper Marans chicks hatched on Thursday in the brooder but three of these will go to my son on his birthday in July, just about when they will start laying. The Copper Marans will lay very dark eggs but I am not sure how sturdy they are.

You can use the "search" feature here you can see pictures of just about every chicken breed.

 

Barred plymouth rock hens are very good layers, we are getting almost one egg a day from each! This year we are getting Marans, Easter Eggers, and a buff orpington. Have fun with your new chicks!

 

This is our first year having chicks, but I have read about everything there is to read on the subject. My sister, my nephew, our kids, and I have all gone in on 15 chicks. I wanted buff orpingtons because I have been told they are good egg layers and VERY docile and easy to handle. Well we didn't find any that were available.

So, what we ended up with were 2 barred rock, 4 isa brown, 4 amber link, and 5 silver laced wyandotte. All of which are in the docile group, with the exception of the barred rock. I have been told the barred rock can be very docile or somewhat aggressive. All 4 kinds we picked are good egg layers. And so far (only 2 days) they all get along.

Good luck with what ever you choose. I heard the buff orpintons and the golden comets are the best first time birds.