Hello there!

[Aimee4311]

We live in Central Texas, and are currently in the planning stages for starting our flock of layers, and eventually broilers. I'm here looking for any and all advice I can get!

 

[CityFarmer202]

Welcome to the forum!!! This a great place to learn all about chickens. I just butchered 2 of my broilers (Cornish X) and the meat tastes 100x better when you raise it by yourself Good luck with your flock!

 

[Aimee4311]

Awesome! Did you butcher them yourself?

 

[CityFarmer202]

yeah, tho my dad helped we will be butchering 5 more on Monday! It's kinda sad, because you raised them from little babies and stuff, but its so cool to be able to raise your own meat...and i knew they had a great life running around the yard with my other chickens.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

You might start in our learning center. Lots of good articles on all the aspects of keeping poultry...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

As for meat birds, stop by our Meat Birds forums for all kinds of help. You can ask questions, share experiences and learn techniques on processing birds...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/21/meat-birds-etc

Great to have you aboard and welcome to our flock!

 

[Aimee4311]

Thanks! I've already been checking out the learning center!

 

[Frindizzle]

Hi, and..

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! My wife and I were raised in Texas. Just post any questions you might have on the forum and I'm sure you'll get lots of answers. What kind of layers are you looking to get?

 

[Aimee4311]

We aren't sure yet, we're thinking a dual purpose breed may be best to start with.

 

[Michael OShay]

I personally believe that Black Australorps are the best all round dual purpose breed [very hardy, calm and gentle temperament, and the best layers of the dual purpose breeds (unless you include Sex Links, which are hybrids and not breeds)], but there are always lots of different opinions on this, so I would recommend researching the various dual purpose breeds and finding the one that best fits your criteria. A good place to start is by clicking on BYC's Breeds icon at the top of this page. Whatever breed you decide upon, good luck with your flock.