It was easy for us.... we had no clue so just ordered a half dozen from our local feed store. We told them we wanted egg laying chickens. Pullets, since we didn't have time for baby chicks. DH built a very nice coop and we fenced it with 6' chainlink dog kennel. The feed store picked golden Comets for us. I was the last one to pick up on that Sat because I had to work, and for some reason they were short two, so I only got four.
We allowed them to free range once they were acustomed to their new home. We lost my favorite one last winter (RIP Gladys).
I immediately became smitten with my new little barnyard buddies. These are very docile, friendly hens. They followed me everywhere! One, my favorite, died during a bad cold snap in winter
(RIP Gladys).
We visited the chicken exhibition at the fair in the fall, last year. I saw the Blue Andalusians and HAD to have some. We asked the people there, and they told us to order from McMurrays. So I got online and discovered you had to order 25 minimum.
I picked a dozen Andies (to insure a good choice of color) and some various other ones that looked and sounded nice form their description. Not everything I wanted was available at the time I ordered, for planned arrival beginning of June. They sent us 27 day old chicks and we raised them. We kept way more than I had planned, but I sold/gave/traded quite a few. We have a huge colorful variety running about the yard now. I love it! We are just starting to get eggs from the new batch. The different colors, sizes and shapes of eggs in the fridge are fun.
We had no problem with anyone pecking or fighting. They were raised in a 12x12 stall in the barn, and this has been turned into their coop since our original coop was too small for so many birds.
