Good beginner chickens???

[Ashlee the bird newb]

Alrightly, so one day I'll be owning chickens (as an adult so that will be quite a while) I'm just wondering what some good chickens are good to start with. I would have a coop and let them free range as well, I don't want to be overrun with more eggs than I know what to do with but I do want them to lay some eggs. I mainly want them as pets so I'll only have a few, and that they get along with other animals. I'll be having many animals (like a guard dog) along with them so I don't want them to be super high maintenance. A large breed is preferable, I don't care what they eat, I'll be spending plenty of time outside. Does this match any breed out there, or am I just being a wishful thinker?

 

[peterlund]

Most chicken breeds if raised as chicks and held touched picked up by humans, will be great pets with the benefits of breakfast.... most people suggesting one over the other are just stating personal preference. Get a mixed flock... you will appreciate the unique qualities and quirks of each fuzzy butt. I first ordered the BELP at McMurray hatchery. Did so quite a few times after. Good luck in your future as a flock-master.

 

[Kusanar]

Your wish list doesn't seem to have much to it. If you only have a few chickens, then you will only have a few eggs a day. If you never want to be over run with eggs, decide how many eggs you can reasonably dispose of a week, and get 1/6 to 1/7 of that number in chickens (you will only eat 7 eggs a week, only get 1 hen, etc).

Most chickens seem to be ok with other animals, they will eat pet rodents and your dog may eat them if not properly trained.

Unless you get a specialty breed, they shouldn't be high maintenance, so that's not an issue if you just get a few hens.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Another thing to consider is your environment. Do you have long, cold winters? Short, hot summers? Some birds are hardy in the winter, but handle hot summers poorly and vice versa.