Getting started: I could use some help choosing a breed.

[LivinginNC]

I am looking to get started with raising some chickens. I would like a dual purpose bird, I think. I know I want meat birds, but I want eggs too. I am not sure if it makes more since to raise good layers of one breed and then go with another dedicated solely for the purpose of a meat bird. This coming year will be an experiment to see if this is something I find the whole raising birds as something I have the time and expertise to do. If I am do something, I typically jump in both feet first and go at with everything I got. Next year if this one is successful, I may go with a breed that I could brood out and start sustain my own population. So I guess at that point I need to take into consideration the viability of all that too. I would love to harvest 15-20 birds a year and have enough eggs to eat a couple of dozen a week and then sell a few to the neighbors and friends. I have looked at some birds on random websites, but to be honest I really don't know what to look for yet. I would really appreciate any advise, opinions, or your own experience that you think I might find useful.

 

[flappychicken]

HI welcome!

Yeah this is a problem most people have starting out with chickens. We have meant and egg birds along with some show birds. If you are JUST starting with chickens then I would say to get dual purpose breeds. Now there's lots of dual purpose birds out there, but if you want to narrow it down then I would say

1. NH Red: Hardy upbeat good in most weather friendly (meat and eggs)
2. Australorps: same as a NH Red sometimes more flighty or calm then the NH Red (meat and eggs)
3. any of the rocks (plymouth rock, barred rock... Rocky rock(not a breed xD)): Same as the others can sometimes be meaner (meat and eggs)
4. Jersey giant: REALLY BIG usually very nice and very hardy (meat and eggs)
5. Orpington: More for meat then eggs BUT very nice and very hardy (meat and eggs)
6. Sussex: I don't know much about this breed but I think it is mostly the same. (meat and eggs)

I think it is cool that you are getting chickens they are soooo fun!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[Jucodeo]

I would recommend taking in about 15-20 birds for the entire year (January-December). Out of those you should have around 10-14 being hens and have at least one rooster. Having a rooster is very important in not only keeping the flock balanced, but also having a meat bird. Also make sure if you want to breed chickens keep a rooster around that is healthy and likes to mate with the others especially the one you want to breed.
That's all. I am not expert, but I'm sure there's more people that could give you more advice. Good luck!

 

[flappychicken]

Yes definitely get a rooster. But if he's mean get a different one! I have three and I love them if you have questions about roosters then you are in the right spot! These guys helped me out when I had rooster problems, But definitely LISTEN TO WHAT THEY SAY!


https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ster-being-weird.1208903/page-3#post-19314346

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...not-recognize-me.1208967/page-4#post-19217577

I think the links might work might work.

 

[cavemanrich]

My suggestion is to get an assortment and decide which you like. Simplest way to start is a batch straight run. You will get roughly 50/50,
Eat the cockerels that are not your choice for further breeding, early on. Note which hens are your choice for your egg needs. It is always best when you experience it for yourself. What is IDEAL for one person does not translate for ALL.
Here is a link for you to consider making your choices. I have no ties to hatchery. I only keep a few hens as pets.
https://hoovershatchery.com/chickenassortments.html
Make sure that you don't have the cart ahead of the horse when you start. Make your coop and run ahead of time. Little chicks grow faster than you think.
WISHING YOU BEST and

 

[Leigti]

I second the idea of getting a variety of straight run birds. Dual purpose would definitely make the most sense I think. And I think it’s nice to have a variety of different breeds. You ask 50 people you’re going to get 50 different answers as to what the best chicken is. So get a variety and decide for yourself.

 

[flappychicken]

yup yup yup! I second all of that!

 

[lazy gardener]

Since this is your first venture into chicken ownership, I advise a slow cautious approach. If you get straight run birds, will you be prepared to build separate housing for the cockerels while they grow out to table size? Cause, you're gonna need to separate them from the pullets. They mature faster than the pullets and they can be absolutely brutally cruel to the pullets while they have their raging teen age idiot hormones rulling their pea brains.

If you really want to grow some meat birds, I suggest that you add 3 - 4 CX to your order of pullets. You can brood them together, and then harvest the CX at around 8 weeks.

Your climate is such that you can have just about any breed (if you are in NC). Check out Henderson's chicken breed's chart. You'll find some breeds that are of interest. I would lean towards birds that have a rep of being docile, doing well in confinement, yet being good foragers. If you think colored eggs would sell well in your area, add a couple EE.

 

[LivinginNC]

Since this is your first venture into chicken ownership, I advise a slow cautious approach. If you get straight run birds, will you be prepared to build separate housing for the cockerels while they grow out to table size? Cause, you're gonna need to separate them from the pullets. They mature faster than the pullets and they can be absolutely brutally cruel to the pullets while they have their raging teen age idiot hormones rulling their pea brains.

If you really want to grow some meat birds, I suggest that you add 3 - 4 CX to your order of pullets. You can brood them together, and then harvest the CX at around 8 weeks.

Your climate is such that you can have just about any breed (if you are in NC). Check out Henderson's chicken breed's chart. You'll find some breeds that are of interest. I would lean towards birds that have a rep of being docile, doing well in confinement, yet being good foragers. If you think colored eggs would sell well in your area, add a couple EE.

So... The meat birds are roosters? Is that because they grow larger and quicker than hens or is there another reason not to eat the hens other than they are the egg layers?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

So... The meat birds are roosters? Is that because they grow larger and quicker than hens or is there no other reason not to eat the hens other than they are the egg layers?

Some people manage their flock as follows:
1. They get dual purpose chicken breeds and them raise them up.
2. They butcher excess cockerels/roosters that they don’t want to breed and keep 1 for breeding and maybe a spare.
3. Hens lay best their first year, some people incubate eggs every year and butcher the 1-2 year old hens and replace them with new pullets every year as well as eating excess cockerels/roosters. Hens who have a decline in egg production are butchered.
4. As long as you have a rooster and are incubating eggs this will be pretty self sustainable.
Good luck