Hello from Phelan, CA

[angkjones07]

We have an acre of land and we are looking forward to getting some chickens and other animals to liven the place up is anyone has any recommendations for a good starting breed I would appreciate it

we have small children and large dogs but plenty of space to keep the dogs at a distance. I look forward to talking to you all.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Lots of good starter birds out there. I am a huge fan of the Black Australorp. This breed is very kid friendly, docile, they love attention and are great layers. My Aussies are huge on lap sitting and I have to be careful where I sit as a chicken WILL be begging to sit with me! I just raised some Barred Rock chicks this year and they too are huge lap sitters and very gentle. Silkies make great kids pets too. They are fun to keep. Wyandottes are very gentle birds and are great on the laying as well.

You might want to stop by our learning center. Lots of good articles on getting started, building the coop, raising the chicks and keeping your adult flock happy, healthy and safe from predators...https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

And here is a link to our coops and breeds pages. The coops are all build by our members and you can get some ideas. The breeds pages will give you some idea what other members here on BYC are saying about the different breeds...

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

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

Good luck on this new adventure! If you have any questions along the way, feel free to ask.

We do welcome you to our flock!

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

We're glad to have you.

TwoCrows has given you some great advice already! I, personally, would recommend the Wyandotte. Mine have been docile and good egg layers with great personalities.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. X2 on TwoCrows' recommendation of Black Australorps. I've raised them for years and they are extremely hardy. I raised them in Texas, in both northern Kansas where temperatures dropped to 30 F below zero one winter, and in CA where summer temperatures frequently reached 117-118 F (123 F once), and in both climate extremes, they came through like troopers. They are also very calm and gentle. My children, and now my granddaughter, made lap pets out of ours. And Black Australorps are the best layers of the standard brown egg laying breeds. A Black Australorp holds the brown egg laying record with 364 eggs in 365 days, and while none of mine have ever reached that kind of production (and likely never will), I've had a few of them lay over 300 eggs in a year. You can further research the various breeds with the quick reference charts at http://albc-usa.etapwss.com/images/uploads/docs/pickachicken.pdf, http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/breed-list.aspx, and http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html. Also, Murray McMurray has an excellent "chick selector" tool at https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chick_selector.html to help you determine which breed is best for you. Just be sure and click on "show more characteristics." 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.

 

[drumstick diva]

and welcome to BYC. Silkies are great with kids but, so - so as layers. Cochins, Australorps and buff orpingtons are generally good tempered breeds and will give you more eggs than silkies

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!

I would recommend a docile, dual-purpose breed, like the Australorp, Orpington, Wyandotte, Easter Egger, or Plymouth Rock. All of those breeds usually get along well with eachother and humans, and are excellent layers of eggs.

Good luck with your future chickens!