Hello all

[BelleoftheYard]

Hello everyone! My mother and I have been talking about getting chickens for years, but now we are seriously considering it (after a new Tractor Supply Company opened in our town, it just seems like divine intervention!). We are still in the planning stages right now, but I was hoping that we could get some input and advice from this forum before we started. It would help when we try to convince my dad!

We have about a 1/2 acre lot in a suburban area in Massachusetts - our particular neighborhood is more rural than other areas nearby, however, and chickens are not unheard of. We also have a 2 year old, 45 lb terrier mix (she is surprisingly lazy and laid back for a terrier), two 9 year old indoor cats (unless I have them in a harness and leash, then they are allowed to explore outside), and my 4.5 year old son.

Given our particular family makeup, we are looking for chickens who are good for beginners, good layers, cold weather tolerant, and ideally calm/ docile enough to allow some interaction with my son. I have read good things about Buff Orpingtons and Brahmas, though a friend also suggested Americaunas.

I am sure I will have many more questions in the coming weeks, but just poking through this site over the past few days has given me so much information already!
Thanks for taking the time to read this!

 

[peopleRanimals2]

If you do your research, I'm sure you'll find a way to raise a happy flock. There is plenty of information on this site, as well as many other sites.
There are many, many good breed choices, and it looks like you've already had some good advice!
Orpingtons and Brahmas are large, docile breeds that are great for kids. Ameraucanas are a little more skittish, but they can also be very lovable at the same time. However, they are slightly harder to track down, if you are looking for a pure-blooded one. Some other good breeds are Dominiques, RIRs (Rhode Island Reds), Plymouth Rocks, and Sussexs.
The 'buff' in buff orpingtons is just a color, along with the 'barred' in barred plymouth rock, or just barred rock. Same with the 'speckled' in speckled sussex.
Although you'll have to do some research to find breeds that fit your exact needs, there are many great options.
I hope it works out for you, and good luck! Feel free to ask any questions!
-M

 

[RodNTN]

I am glad you joined us! The best docile, cold tolerant, and good laying breeds I can think of are Buff Orpingtons, Speckled Sussex's, Barred Rocks, and Brahma's. And I have had all 4 of them! Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions! I would also check out the Learning Center:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

I hope you enjoy BYC! Best wishes!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, BelleoftheYard, and

! Great to have you in our flock! Happy you and your mother are able to get some chicks! BYC is here to help with advice and to answer any questions you have along the way! Best wishes!

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under BelleoftheYard

Welcome!

As you have already received some links to great starting points and good advice, I will just wish you all the best and also your flock when they arrive.

You might want to also pop in and say hello on your local thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you ‘Find your State’s thread.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Welcome to BYC!
Chicken keeping is such a wonderful family hobby - I do hope you and your mom are able to prevail upon your dad!
Buff Orps and Brahmas are friendly birds, but not the most prolific layers. How many eggs, per week, does your family go through and how many birds, total, are you wanting to keep? This consideration can help to guide your breed selection....if you want the BO, for example, you could have one but then choose two or three other, more productive, breeds to help make up the egg production. (we have a very soft spot for BO in this family and will probably never have a flock without one, so this year's chicks will be one BO plus five other, more productive breeds)

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens. Hmm Mom and daughter vs husband/father. Seems like very good odds for your success. "If mama ain't happy, nobody is happy!" I bet he will come over to the chicken side after he sees how much fun they are. Of he's good let him pick out his own chick.

So glad you joined us, I hope you will update when the chicks arrive.

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!

 

[N F C]

It's nice to have you here!

 

[CuzChickens]

Hello, and welcome to the forum! I am fixing to celebrate my first year on here, and I have loved it so much, I hope you will too! There is tons of great info and friendly folks, so pull up a chair and make yourself at home!

~Cuz