How do I know what breed is right for us?

[gryeyes]

Buff Orps should be in everybody's mixed flock. Australorps are good, too. Light Brahmas are cold and heat hardy and GREAT layers.

All three of these breeds are friendly birds. I am glad I have these birds in my very mixed flock of 60 or so chickens.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
Thank you Celtic Druid. I will definitely keep everyone posted. For the most part, most people seem to be in agreement on the breeds. I am most likely going to go with a few different breeds. The only reservation I have is the roosters. I am just afraid they may be a little more on the semi aggressive side and I don't know how they would be with my kids. Any thoughts?

That's a tough one. Some can be very nice & friendly, while others have a mean streak, no matter how they are raised. I would really advise you to go with sexed chicks since you are first starting out. They are usually 90 to 95% correct on the sexing of chicks, just make sure you get them from a trusted hatchery, feed store or breeder. I always bought pullets, and so far, that is all I have gotten, thankfully.
I think that is the best way for you to go, honestly. Maybe when your kids are older, you can try hatching eggs. There are just too many things that can go wrong with hatching your own eggs for the first time, I think. And your children might not understand if you lost some.

 

[browneyedgirl77]

Quote:
Thank you Celtic Druid. I will definitely keep everyone posted. For the most part, most people seem to be in agreement on the breeds. I am most likely going to go with a few different breeds. The only reservation I have is the roosters. I am just afraid they may be a little more on the semi aggressive side and I don't know how they would be with my kids. Any thoughts?

That's a tough one. Some can be very nice & friendly, while others have a mean streak, no matter how they are raised. I would really advise you to go with sexed chicks since you are first starting out. They are usually 90 to 95% correct on the sexing of chicks, just make sure you get them from a trusted hatchery, feed store or breeder. I always bought pullets, and so far, that is all I have gotten, thankfully.
I think that is the best way for you to go, honestly. Maybe when your kids are older, you can try hatching eggs. There are just too many things that can go wrong with hatching your own eggs for the first time, I think. And your children might not understand if you lost some.

You brought up a really really good point. I don't think my kids would be all to happy if something went wrong. Sexed chicks is absolutely the best way for us to go right now. Now my only problem is finding a good and reputable breeder. Unfortunately here, there aren't a ton of breeders or feed stores that are trusted enough, or that have any chicks left. Do you know of any reputable hatcheries that I could use? Also, I have been reading about getting chicks that will be the same size. Is that really going to be an issue as they get older?

 

[Patricia Jane]

Quote:
I have to agree with the Wyandottes. I have a Columbian and she is very sweet and lays regularly. May I make a suggestion? I would also vote for Barred Rocks. I have two and they love to be held, and petted. They follow me everywhere. They lay everyday, large brown eggs. My 3 yr old grandaughter loves them. Good luck and enjoy. And

 

[Celtic Chick]

I have 4 6-week old chicks, one of which must be a few days older than the rest because she is bigger, and does she ever know it! She's a bully to the other 3, but that might just be her. I've heard the younger they are when put together, the better they will get along if they are not the same age/size. But I wouldn't get any more than 2 weeks apart in age if I could help it. At each week of age, they require different temperatures. You could solve that by putting them in a rectangular brooder with the light offset to one side so it was warmer on one side than the other, so the bigger ones could be further away from the heat.
As for the hatcheries down by you, sorry but I have no clue. You could try to start a thread in the hatchery section & see who responds with positive feedback on breeders in your area.

 

[browneyedgirl77]

Quote:
I have to agree with the Wyandottes. I have a Columbian and she is very sweet and lays regularly. May I make a suggestion? I would also vote for Barred Rocks. I have two and they love to be held, and petted. They follow me everywhere. They lay everyday, large brown eggs. My 3 yr old grandaughter loves them. Good luck and enjoy. And

Thank you for the warm welcome Patricia. I have a question, can Barred Rocks do well in hot climates?

 

[Celtic Chick]

Link to hatchery section:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=16
Ask about hatcheries or breeders in your location.

 

[browneyedgirl77]

Are there hatcheries you can order from online?

 

[Celtic Chick]

TSC says so:
Plymouth Rocks – Barred, Buff, Partridge, White
Egg Production: high
Plymouth Rocks are a good all-purpose farm chicken. They are docile and hens normally will show broodiness and make good mothers. Some strains are better layers of large brown eggs while others are bred principally for meat. Plymouth Rocks are not known to be aggressive, and tame easily with their owners.
Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy and heat tolerant.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/conten...011_Chick_Days_main_page_header-_-breed_guide

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
I don't know. I guess you'd first have to start a thread seeing if anyone knows of any near you, and then go from there.
Do you have any feed stores or Tractor Supply stores by you?
You can check Craig's List online! That is how I found my 4 newest chicks.