Hi all! I'm in WA state.

[RavensRansom]

Been lurking & reading for awhile. Really enjoy all of the threads; especially all the support y'all give anyone with a question or an emergency. Haven't had chickens in 18 years, but hoping & planning for the future. Our little flock was simply a random pick at the local feed store. Having tripped over BYC I'm researching & learning so I'll know what to pick for my new flock when I'm ready. Never knew there were so many different breeds to choose from back then.

 

[drumstick diva]

It's a whole new chicken world out there. Lots of new colors in some older breeds, lots of breeds with bantams that only had large fowl. Things change. But chickens pretty much just need the regular basics. Once you narrow down your choices it's good to go to a thread about the breed. You can find out what other owner/breeders actually have to say about them. Welcome to BYC - glad you joined the flock.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[RavensRansom]

Thanks for the welcome!
You're right, I've never seen so many types & colors! My G'ma traded a quilt for a crate of hens when I was a kid & next time I visited she showed me her 1st blue egg. Now there are blue chickens!

 

[liz9910]

 

[RavensRansom]

Hi!

Thanks for the welcome.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. A lot of us were lurkers before joining. What qualities are you wanting in your chickens? There are some excellent 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, and 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. Good luck in getting your flock.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

WOW....LOVE your Raven avatar!! Are you the Ravens Ransom up there? Sometimes I feel like it down here as I feed the wild Ravens and have enjoyed doing so for 20 years here. I have watched a pair in this territory raise their broods each year, they trust me enough to bring their off spring here into the yard while they are still very young. The adults will come when called and protect me from the wild Hawks. The Alpha male recently passed on after living to be in his mid 20's. He had lost his mate 15 years ago and took on a mate who oddly enough stayed on after his passing a couple years ago and took on a mate for herself and they have been here since. Waiting on the winter flocks to show up for the winter gatherings.

Great to have you aboard and enjoy all your adventures in life!!

 

[RavensRansom]

Thanks for the links. I've got all of my 2014 poultry catalogs in a binder, but I like the charts and other options available on the websites, too. I'm just in the dreaming stage for now. Gives me plenty of time to research breeds & look at pro/cons from people who own them not just descriptions from hatcheries.
Short list of what I'm looking for: Cold hardy, not finicky about light rain, good egg layers. I'm reading about Wellsummers & P. Chanteclers right now.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Pretty avatar!