Hi from Virginia

[Refolden]

I am new here and new it raising chickens just started building my chicken coop should have it done within a week what type of chickens is the best to start with and where's a good place to find them

 

[sourland]

Breed selection depends upon what you want from the birds - eggs, meat, or dual purpose. To locate birds you might go to your state thread and create a thread there. Good luck with the build and breed selection.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. Which is the best chicken depends on what you want chickens for. If you want eggs, White Leghorns (for white eggs) and Sex Links (for brown eggs) are the best layers, consistently churning out more than 300 eggs per hen per year. If you want meat birds, Cornish cross are the way to go. With their fantastic growth rates, they are ready for butchering at 8 weeks. If you want lap pets, I would suggest going with one of the breeds that has a well deserved reputation for being calm and gentle such as Australorps, Orpingtons, Brahmas, Cochins, Silkies, Sussex, or Faverolles. If egg production is important to you as well' Australorps are the best layers on this list. Murray McMurray has an excellent "chick selector" tool at https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chick_selector.html to help you determine which breeds are best for you. Just be sure and click on "show more characteristics." Even if you don't purchase your birds from Murray, the chick selector is still a valuable tool. 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.

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are very glad you decided to join us!

Here is another great chicken selector tool:
http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx

You can find them on BYC (the buy/sell/trade forum once you have 10 posts, or enter your state name into the BYC search bar and ask those in your state where they found their birds or see if any of them have any for sale). You can also order from hatcheries, check local feed stores (Rural King, tractor Supply, Family Farm and Home, etc.), or try craigslist.

Good luck and don't forget to post pics of your finished coop and new birds!

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to BYC, to participate in the Buy, sell, trade forum - you do need 20 posts.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!