help me choose breeds for our first flock!

[peeweesfarm]

well I've got what they call barn yard mutts , they are all kool in there own way I have 16 hens an 1 roo ,they ( hens) are laying 10 to 14 eggs a day , an its been down to 26 below but we are in a warm up at 16 to 20 above, my roo has had a little frost bite ,but is doing fine I do have heat lamp in the coop an its un insulated 8x8 at 8ft on the front an 7 ft. at the back out of 16 hens I have 1 broody an we have let her keep a few egg's under her.so I would go with barn yard mutts .

 

[Family of 6]

So much to think about. Thanks for all the input so far. I have thought about Leghorns, but am not really drawn to them right now. Right now I am thinking

3 Delaware hens, 1 Delaware Roos (once these are grown our plan is to separate and use as meat birds)
3 Australorp, 1 Roo
3 EE
3 RIR
3 Wyandotte
2 Barred Rock
2 Orpingtons
1 Welsummer
4-5 Silkies we will keep as pets for fun in a separate little coop


I have 4 small children (ages 7-10m) so bird that work well with kids is extremely important. I know this cannot be guaranteed of course. I figure at least 1 of the birds that should be a hen may turn into a roo with the sexing rate, so we'll have to see how that goes. I am planning on buying these from Meyer Hatchery. I realize breeders are best, but with all those kids, a big move, and setting up a homestead, I like the easy option with the exact breeds we are looking for at this point.

 

[ocap]

wow, what a great list !!! a wonderful flock for your children. My silkies came from Cackle Hatchery and they are brooding at the seven month point, I had to order 15 silkies but needed the extras to cull for too many roosters and three had single combs (not a silkie trait), My flock has six silkie pullets and three cockerels so.....I will have three silkie trios to go with the other large fowl dual purpose.

John

 

[Penton]

I was also excited to start with my backyard. our chickens brings much joy give us plenty of eggs. I now have 5 hens and one rooster since I lost some to predators. the one thing I didn't expect is the incredible amount of chicken manure they produce and how only a few birds scratch up a whole lot of ground including the good grass. our small flock contains very good layers and we receive eggs of every color and every size. all our chickens follow us around like dogs but the golden comets are the friendliest and we'll eat out of our hand. I would like a leghorn chicken but have also heard they are very skittish. if you look at the Meyer hatchery site you can look up the personality of the different types of chickens. I lived on a farm some years ago and are chickens were not pets. They were for eggs and meat. These chickens have become lovable pets. of course, we do not bring them in the house. Last week we had down in the teens and they did well. We live in Florida. we generally do not give them extra or heat, but last week we did give them a light bulb for heat. My only advice to myself if I were starting over would be to have a chicken run prepared and have to have a coop built before the chickens arrive

 

[Penton]

I was also excited to start with my backyard. our chickens brings much joy give us plenty of eggs. I now have 5 hens and one rooster since I lost some to predators. the one thing I didn't expect is the incredible amount of chicken manure they produce and how only a few birds scratch up a whole lot of ground including the good grass. our small flock contains very good layers and we receive eggs of every color and every size. all our chickens follow us around like dogs but the golden comets are the friendliest and we'll eat out of our hand. I would like a leghorn chicken but have also heard they are very skittish. if you look at the Meyer hatchery site you can look up the personality of the different types of chickens. I lived on a farm some years ago and are chickens were not pets. They were for eggs and meat. These chickens have become lovable pets. of course, we do not bring them in the house. Last week we had down in the teens and they did well. We live in Florida. we generally do not give them extra or heat, but last week we did give them a light bulb for heat. My only advice to myself if I were starting over would be to have a chicken run prepared and have to have a coop built before the chickens arrive

 

[Penton]

good luck with your chickens!! after you get over the shock of the amount of manure they produce, I have no doubt you will totally enjoy them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I think you will be fine getting those from Meyer for what you say you want. I’ve gotten Speckled Sussex and Black Australorp from Meyer. For your purposes I really don’t see any advantages in going to a breeder. If you were breeding show birds I’d feel differently, but you are not. And I love a mixed flock. It just seems more natural to me.

I don’t know what their EE’s are like, sometimes they are a bit small but I’ve never gotten EE’s from Meyer. But I don’t know why you would need to separate the Delaware from the others to get meat birds. Even with smaller EE’s you can get some decent birds for your table with those roosters. The Delaware today are not the Delaware from 60 years ago that were used as meat birds. They have not been bred to reach 4 pounds weight at 10 weeks since the commercial broilers took over. I’ve had Delaware and they are a good meat bird as far as dual purpose breeds, I think you made a good choice there, but they are not all that much better than your other dual purpose breeds. We all have our own goals and desires, but I suggest you consider letting both roosters mingle with the flock and hatching eggs from all of them (except the Silkies) for meat.

The big advantage to the Delaware is that the white feathers give a prettier carcass due since you can’t see the pin feathers, but I generally skin mine so that’s not important to me. I also cut the carcass into serving pieces when I butcher so it’s even less important.

Welcome to the adventure. You’ll enjoy it.

 

[aoxa]

My EEs are SCREAMERS. Pick them up and they scream at the top of their lungs.

My Barred Rocks are the friendliest pure breed I've tried. First of any chicken hybrid of purebred would be the Red Sex Links. I have tried over 20 different breeds, and they are by far the friendliest.

 

[Family of 6]

I was also excited to start with my backyard. our chickens brings much joy give us plenty of eggs. I now have 5 hens and one rooster since I lost some to predators. the one thing I didn't expect is the incredible amount of chicken manure they produce and how only a few birds scratch up a whole lot of ground including the good grass. our small flock contains very good layers and we receive eggs of every color and every size. all our chickens follow us around like dogs but the golden comets are the friendliest and we'll eat out of our hand. I would like a leghorn chicken but have also heard they are very skittish. if you look at the Meyer hatchery site you can look up the personality of the different types of chickens. I lived on a farm some years ago and are chickens were not pets. They were for eggs and meat. These chickens have become lovable pets. of course, we do not bring them in the house. Last week we had down in the teens and they did well. We live in Florida. we generally do not give them extra or heat, but last week we did give them a light bulb for heat. My only advice to myself if I were starting over would be to have a chicken run prepared and have to have a coop built before the chickens arrive

Thanks for your info! I just ordered everything We will be closing on our new home about 2 weeks after the chicks arrive, so my husband should have time to get the coop and run set up. We have a large shed on the property we are converting to a coop

 

[chick lovers]

Hello!

I have been spending the last few weeks reading about chickens NON STOP! I am so excited to start our first flock when we move to our new home. I would love your input on which breeds I should get. I have narrowed the list down a bit already.We will be using our chickens for eggs and would like some broody who will give us more chickens in the future. Is is ok to have many different breeds in one flock? Also I will be getting one Rooster. Right now I am considering Orpingtons, Australorp, Easter Eggers, RIR, BR, Wyandottes. and maybe a few Maran and Welsummer for fun. Any input would be great, thanks!

Silkies and cochins are excellent broodies. I have a few wyandottes and they lay exceptionally well however on won't get it in her head that she is supposed to lay in the nest box not the woods. lol