Hello from Northern Arizona!

[Debee9]

Very new to the chicken world, but really excited to get started! In the process of building our coop and learning about friendly egg layers. Any suggestions on breeds and mail order facilities would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens. I think picking breeds that would tolerate your climate probably has to be first on your list. You might check out your state thread and see what other chickeners recommend., as well as what type of coop is best.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! How exciting for you to be starting your chicken adventures
Here is a lovely article on picking the right chicken for you. Here is the link ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-pick-the-right-chicken-breeds-for-you

As drumstick said your state thread would be a great place to ask too ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you

Wishing you the very best of luck with your plans. Be sure to ask any questions that you may have, everyone here to help and very friendly.

Enjoy BYC

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. Murray McMurray has an excellent "chick selector" tool at https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chick_selector.html to help you determine which breed is best your you. Just be sure and click on "show more characteristics." Even if you don't purchase your birds from Murray, the "chick selector" is still a valuable tool. Given your hot climate in Arizona, I would personally recommend Australorps which are extremely hardy in both heat and cold, calm and gentle (my children and granddaughter made lap pets of them), and the best layers of the standard, brown egg laying breeds. Privett Hatchery (http://www.privetthatchery.com/) in Portales, NM, carries a fairly large number of breeds (including Australorps) which are available in pullet orders, and is not too far from your location which will minimize the distance that the chicks have to travel in the mail. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Whatever breed you decide to get, good luck with your flock.

 

[N F C]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

The other members have already given you some good advice and valuable links so I'll just say it's nice to have you here!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

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