Greetings from Houston

[mmmooretx]

Researching breeds & coops for 5-8 hens only. Looking at buff Orpington and Rhode Island Red at this point. Eggs & meat. Inputs are appreciated

 

[TwoCrows]

You might want to start in our learning center here on BYC. Lots of good reads on building the coop, raising your new babies and keeping your flock healthy and safe....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Make sure to check out the coop and breeds section while in the learning center.

Great to have you aboard and enjoy BYC!

 

[mmmooretx]

TwoCrows,
Thanks good advice and I have started data mining and will read a lot. Still learning the site layout but I am a fast learner.
Mike

 

[Ren2014]

Hello and welcome to BYC

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Those are two nice breeds, good thread on the buff orps https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/495402/buff-orpington-thread and two RIR threads, there is a big difference between the hatchery RIR and heritage/breeder RIR so far as type and color go, so it would depend on what you want to get, hatchery RIR thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644420/rhode-island-red-thread and heritage RIR thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/407294/the-heritage-rhode-island-red-site and a thread where people had both were talking about them https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...tons-and-rhode-island-reds-check-this-out/310

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - two good breed choices.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC.

Glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[mmmooretx]

Kelsie2290,
Thank you so much for taking the time to post those links. I have gone through most of them and I really enjoyed the information and pictures of the two breeds.
My research/data mining continues. I am looking at building The Garden Coop as it will fit my yard needs nicely and does not look to tough to build. I checked out our local feed store I like and they carry both breeds, so I may go look this weekend.
One item that pushed me to look at chickens in the back yard was because I am a home brewer (beer) and wanted to use my spent grains for something (20-40 lbs. per 10 gallon batch). I will need to build a drying tray for the grain I want to keep for later feeding (scratch only I will also buy feed with supplements).
Thanks again to all.
Mike

 

[Branch Chickens]

Mike,

My mother has had both Orpingtons and RIR, and I've found them both to be productive and friendly. "Buffy", her last Orpington, was a great mama. She even raised a batch of meat birds one spring.