Greetings from the greater Portland/Vancouver area.

[Gr8fuljess]

My wife and I seem to be getting serious about raising BYC's for eggs. Since we live in an urban area we want a small flock, 3-4 chickens. I am sifting through tons of information on breeds. Any recommendations? We have two toddlers so prefer very calm birds, reasonably quiet and suitable to the NW climate, while maximizing egg production. Is it best to mix the flock up with different breeds, or does that matter? Where are some of the best places to buy chicks around here?

Thanks for any advice

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

I'm glad you joined.

My wife and I seem to be getting serious about raising BYC's for eggs. Since we live in an urban area we want a small flock, 3-4 chickens. I am sifting through tons of information on breeds. Any recommendations?
Some breeds that would probably work well for you would be Orpingtons, Australorps, Wyandottes, and Easter Eggers. All of these breeds have a reputation for being docile as well as very good egg layers. I'm especially a fan of the Wyandotte. Mine laid very well in their first year, with one of them reaching 299 eggs. They continue to lay pretty well, though they are now four years old. I also have an Easter Egger, who has been quite docile as well and nearly as good a layer as the Wyandottes. Many members on here keep Orpingtons and Australorps and consider them to be extremely good layers and one of the tamest breeds.
We have two toddlers so prefer very calm birds, reasonably quiet and suitable to the NW climate, while maximizing egg production.
Is it best to mix the flock up with different breeds, or does that matter?
In many cases, I think that it is best to mix a flock up with different breeds. It allows you to see a variety of different colored chickens and get a wide variety of eggs. You can learn which birds have the best personalities. When you get future birds, choose the ones that you liked best. I keep a backyard flock of four chickens. One is a Columbian Wyandotte, one is a Silver-Laced Wyandotte, and there is also a Rhode Island Red and an Easter Egger. These four varieties and three breeds get along very well together. I get a lovely pale tan egg from the Columbian Wyandotte, a speckled tan egg from the Silver-Laced Wyandotte, a large darker brown egg from the Rhode Island Red, and a green egg from the Easter Egger. By having this flock, I've learned what my favorite breed is (the Wyandotte!), and in the future I would get more of that breed. I still enjoy those other two birds, however, as they make my flock more beautiful and varied.
Where are some of the best places to buy chicks around here?
I'm not sure, as I don't live in Washington. You may want to ask in the Washington state thread where people get their birds or what hatcheries they would recommend: Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

I hope this helps! Good luck with any future birds!

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[BantamLover21]

I'm glad you joined us!

Wyandottes7 gave you some good advice. I would also highly recommend the Wyandotte: mine have been gentle, hardy, productive layers.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I am an Orpington fan...Buff Orpingtons and Black Australorps. Both of these breeds are very docile, friendly and are great with kids. These breeds can tolerate the kid traffic! These are both great layers and are very weather hardy especially during cold weather. My Black Australorps are HUGE on lap sitting and are very affectionate.

Yes, you can mix different breeds of birds. If you get them as chicks and raise them together, they will all get along.

Feed stores are the best place to find chicks in the spring time. If you are looking for adult birds, you might look on the feed store bulletin boards. Sometimes people sell their flocks this way. Just keep in mind, raising chicks yourself will give them that loving bond to you. where as buying adult chickens, sometimes they may never warm up to you.

Good luck with what ever breed you choose and we do welcome you to our flock!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to our flock. If sheer egg production is a priority, I would recommend Black Sex Links (Black Stars), which are hardy and friendly, egg laying machines. I've raised them for years (along with dozens of other breeds and hybrids), and they have been my best layers, consistently churning out more than 300 eggs per hen per year. If you prefer a standard breed instead of a hybrid (as hybrids will not breed true and you will have to replace your stock by purchasing from a hatchery) I would suggest Australorps, which are extremely hardy, calm and gentle (my children and granddaughter made lap pets of them), and the best layers of the standard, brown egg laying breeds. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Whatever breed or hybrid you decide to get, good luck with your flock.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to our flock. If sheer egg production is a priority, I would recommend Black Sex Links (Black Stars), which are hardy and friendly, egg laying machines. I've raised them for years (along with dozens of other breeds and hybrids), and they have been my best layers, consistently churning out more than 300 eggs per hen per year. If you prefer a standard breed instead of a hybrid (as hybrids will not breed true and you will have to replace your stock by purchasing from a hatchery) I would suggest Australorps, which are extremely hardy, calm and gentle (my children and granddaughter made lap pets of them), and the best layers of the standard, brown egg laying breeds. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Whatever breed or hybrid you decide to get, good luck with your flock.

P.S. Dunlap Hatchery is a smaller, family owned hatchery located in Caldwell, Idaho, which carries both Black Sex Links and Australorps. The folks at Dunlap are very friendly and helpful. I've purchased chicks from them on several occasions (as well as from 3 other hatcheries) and Dunlap is my very favorite.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Orpingtons are my favorite breed! I love their affectionate, loving and cuddly personalities!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!