Help! what kind of chickens should I get?

[schnebbles]

I'm getting a few (prob 6 max) chickens this spring and I can't possibly decide what to get! I might not start out with 6, maybe 4 but I'd like to have room for 6.

I am in Ohio so cold/heat tolerant. Will have an enclosed run and let them in the yard when I can be out with them. Run will be large enough for whatever I get.

Looking for pet only. Don't care about eggs at all, probably no roosters b/c of noise. Darn it too, b/c I'd love roosters!

Looking at:

silkies
bantam cochin (can't seem to find anywhere)
polish - super cute!
ameraucana (sp) or easter egger? confused - but want bantam.

Do hens care if there are like hens? Could I get one each? I want them all to be little so they are raised together. Not sure how I'm going to find all of these together. I know there are online places but min orders are higher than I want, unless I sell excess babies. Guess I could grow them and sell them but prefer not to.

Anyone in Ohio? I'm in between Lima and Columbus but don't mind driving.

Drove down a couple weeks ago to see silkies in person, pretty cute! I want personality, chickens I can hold or at least pick up. I just don't know how on earth to choose what to get. There are just too many (like I need to tell you guys, right?)

Thanks! Or, if you have another idea feel free to put that too, I'm quite open. The ones above are who I've read about most and think would be suitable for me, looks and personality wise.

Kathy

 

[Angiebubs]

Schnebles: I wanted just a few select breeds and ordered sexed pullets from mypetchicken-they came thru with flying colors and I would definately order from them again.

My chickens are all named pets and so far to date-the sweetest friendliest are my easter eggers!!!! I also like my salmon faverolles, orpintons, lt brahmas and cochin, I am in Wi and deal with harsh winters and humid summers.

Good luck!

 

[schnebbles]

I think I was just looking at their site. I am close enough to Meyer Hatchery but not sure if they allow people to go look and pick up. I sent them a message.

The Easter Eggers do look cute!

 

[Sandstorm495]

Wyandottes should be a great breed for you as they are friendly and docile. good luck!

 

[NosiphoChooks]

Yes you can have a mixture of chickens if you like! My flock is very mixed the only chickens I have more than one of are my aracuanas and the polish frizzles. I have just started out last year but find that the chickens I raised from babies are all very friendly and love to be handled. Bantams are very sweet but if you want decent size eggs maybe mix it up and get 4 bantams and two large fowl. Polish lay quite good sized eggs. Below are some of my chickens having a dust bath.

 

[appps]

My only advice would be get at least two silkies if you go with them. We got one and was from same hatch as other breeds so all grew up together but now at nearly six months it really is an outsider in a lot of ways and doesn't quite fit in.

A friend has four bantams. The two silkies hang together and the two bantams hang together. Though they all get on together.

So if going silkie make sure they have a friend.

 

[schnebbles]

Can Polish handle cold? I'm reading on some sites that they can't. I would love to have a couple! Silkies and Polish. I would probably get 2 of a kind actually anyhow so my silkie would have a friend I'm beyond excited to get going on this!