Hello from Becky and Ted (Michigan)

[BeckyandTed]

Hello! I am looking to get some chickens in the spring, mostly for eggs, but also because I think chickens are beautiful! Ted has 30 acres, and he'll be building a coop over the Christmas break from work. I'm thinking of having about six hens and a rooster. Does anyone have any advice or comments on having a couple different breeds? My thoughts were to get maybe four ISA Browns and maybe two Delawares. My father raised a few chickens (bantams) when I was a child, so I'm not unfamiliar with their care, and I have a few friends locally that have chickens too.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, BeckyandTed, and

! Great to have you in our coop!! Breeds to choose??? There are as many opinions as they are choices. You might research the Breeds forum to learn some traits and characteristics of various breeds. I'd advise, being in Texas, you get breeds that handle the heat. Heat is harder on chickens than cold. Personally I like my mixed flock - I have 19 different birds of 11 different varieties. I like the different looks, personalities, and different colored eggs! Whatever you decide - best of luck!!

 

[sumi]

hello and welcome to BYC

Many of us here have different breeds, all living together happily.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

 

[Wynette]

Hello, and WELCOME from another Michigander! What are of Michigan are you from? I'm near Flint.

If you have friends with chickens already, they will probably be a super source of information for you.

I suggest thinking about what it is that you're looking to gain by getting them. If you are only wanting fresh eggs, a production breed like an Isa Brown is tough to beat. In fact, they are the only breed I've had that consistently lays through our Michigan winters. I find them lovely, and their have a laid back disposition as well.

 

[Kevin565]

 

[liz9910]

from California!

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[BeckyandTed]

I am currently in DeWitt until the end of May, and Ted is in Durand. He operates a small farm (raspberries, pumpkins, trees), so the chickens will be the first "livestock" on his farm. We mainly want them for eggs, but I do want them to be friendly hens too. Our friend Jeff has 6 ISA browns, new this year to him, and when I went to visit them and see the coop, they were very friendly, curious hens. I'm pretty sure I'm sold on the browns, but I do want a little variety.

 

[S&N Livestock]

from Ohio