Hello and Help!

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SmithCottage

SmithCottage

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7 Years
Jan 11, 2013
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I am going to be moving with my wife and 2 kids to a home on 8 acres and really would like to start raising chickens.

Can anyone suggest some good hearty breeds that are gentle with kids and fairly easy to breed? With that, what kind of coop should I plan on building?

Thanks and I look forward to beginning this adventure!
 
Greetings from Kansas, SmithCottage, and
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! Great to have you aboard. My best suggestion is to check out the Breeds and Coops sections here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/category/chicken-breeds

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coop_Designs



Best of luck in your selections and building.
 
Depends upon what you want to raise them for: eggs, meat, pets or just breeding? Cochins and Brahmas make good mother hens and are good with children. Good luck on your new farm!
 
Hello and welcome to BYC
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Here's a few links for you to look at. Hopefully that will answer most of your questions. First of all, look through the Learning Center. It will tell you what you need to know to get started on your new adventure. For breeds, wow, there are so many to choose from and they all have different characteristics. Have a look through this handy breeds chart to give you some idea of the most common breeds, their characteristics etc: http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html and also have a look in the Reviews section to see what people say about their chickens. Then, the coop. Build a nice big one, because once that little thing we call "chicken math" strikes you will need the extra space! Chickens are like potato chips, you'll always want more. Have a look in the Coops section for designs and plans. If you have any more questions, ask! We're here to help.

Have fun!
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SmithCottage said:
I am going to be moving with my wife and 2 kids to a home on 8 acres and really would like to start raising chickens.

Can anyone suggest some good hearty breeds that are gentle with kids and fairly easy to breed? With that, what kind of coop should I plan on building?

Thanks and I look forward to beginning this adventure!
Click to expand...
Looking for the best chickens for egg laying? Here are the top five breeds with the pros, cons, and what to expect.

Breed: Leghorn (White Variety)
Egg Size: Above Average- Large
Average Lay: 280
Pros: This is one of the most prolific layers out there. In fact, it was a Leghorn that set the world egg laying record with 371 eggs in a year. They are a very hardy and heat tolerant bird, so if you live in an area where the summers tend to be a bit warm this is an excellent layer for you.
Cons: These birds are not very friendly and tend to be very skittish around people. Their temperament is not one that encourages friendly visits to your flock. These are predominantly a commercial bird.

Breed: Rhode Island Red/ White
Egg Size: Above Average
Average Lay: 250-300
Pros: Another hugely prolific layer, the Rhode Island Red and White are also docile and sweet natured. We have always had at least one and they love to perch on my mother's shoulders as she goes around doing her yard work. These birds are also very hardy and robust and will keep up their laying standard in cold weather.
Cons: Roosters tend to be aggressive.

Breed: Plymouth Rock
Egg Size: Above Average
Average Lay: 200
Pros: A good layer, this bird is sweet and docile. They lay large-ish eggs all year long and will lay properly through the winter. They are a very robust breed that matures slightly early. Their feathers are also excellent in fly fishing lures.
Cons: Not an amazing layer, but faithful.

Breed: Orpington
Egg Size: Average- Above Average
Average Lay: 200
Pros: This large, fluffy bird is a good, steady layer that will lay all year round. While not the best, it is included in this list because it is faithful. These birds are very cold hardy, lay through the winter and begin laying early as they mature early. They are very docile.
Cons: Because of their personality, these birds are often bullied by others in the flock. Our current bunch has two Buffs in it, and one is constantly bullied while the other is at the top of the pecking order, so it all depends on the bird.

Breed: New Hampshire
Egg Size: Average- Above Average
Average Lay: 200
Pros: Very calm and sweet, this early maturing bird will shower you with a fair number of eggs and a good amount of affection throughout the year. These hens are hardy in both heat and cold and will continue laying throughout the winter months. On a plus note, their feathers are excellent for use in fly fishing lures.
Cons: Combs can be subject to frostbite. Hens can be aggressive towards others while establishing the pecking order.
 
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Glad you joined!!!

I think Australorps are great. They are gentle, sweet, great egg layers, good for meat, and are hardy in winter.

Australorp

The Australorp Breed was developed in Australia at the end of the nineteenth century with Black Orpington stock from England. The breed also has genes from Rhode Island Red, White Leghorn, Langshan and Minorca crosses. The purpose of the breed was as a “utility” chicken for both high egg production and meat. It was originally known as the Black Utility Orpingtons. The breed was standardized after World War One and admitted to the Standard of Perfection in 1929 in England under the fitting name Australorp. By the end of World War Two, Australian poultry breeders wrote up their own breed standards, which have been accepted worldwide. Historically, Australorps have been egg-laying champions: an Australorp hen once laid 364 eggs in 365 days.

They are an exceptionally beautiful bird, quite big, with black glossy feathers that have a green sheen and huge black soulful eyes.

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