How do I know what breed is right for us?

[wolftracks]

If it's eggs you want and put of just these breeds.........Dominiques!

They lay like crazy. They're a little yacky, but they're nice birds.

If you want more of a frufru bird, then I would get the fancy ones first and add the Doms latter. They tend to take charge.

 

[browneyedgirl77]

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I live in South Florida. It is warm here in the summer. It can reach into the mid 90's and be humid. It is definitely not a dry heat. I am not looking for huge birds. Medium or small is perfectly ok with us. I know with the warmer weather, egg laying slows down a lot, and that is ok. I am really just getting used to the entire experience with my girls right now.

 

[hinkjc]

My favs would be buff orpington (#1) and speckled sussex #2. Both good layers and excellent temperaments. The speckled sussex will give you more color in the plumage, but I love looking at our flock of buff orps in roaming our property. I think if I'd ever go back to one breed/one color again, it would be buff orps. Just my personal opinion and experience with them. Good luck in your decision. There's so many beautiful birds, it's tough to know until you try one and see if you like them.

 

[Celtic Chick]

So what kind of space do you have for a coop & run? Lots of room, or are you limited?
I don't know about brahmas. I read they are cold hardy, but they didn't say anything about being heat tolerant.
I'd maybe lean toward trying some silkies, but there you'd run the risk of getting roosters.
The only ones on your list I have experience with are the orps & dominiques, but my only dom is a rooster, and I didn't raise him from a chick so he's kinda not the friendliest. And my orps are only 6 weeks, but they are friendly as can be so far. They sit on my lap all the time.

 

[wolftracks]

Ya know if you like Orps, they come in other colors too.

I have some Lavender chicks and they are so pretty. There are other colors too.

 

[AnnesChicks]

I have to chime in and vote for Wyandottes, not only are they lovely to look at, they are very calm and quiet hen and a steady producer of lovely large brown eggs. I so enjoy feeding them treats, kitchen scraps, a little cracked corn, weeds and bugs from the yard, even slugs...yuck. They happily eat it all and run to the fence as soon as I step out the door.

For your question about what size space, take a look at our set up -what I originally set up would have been good for just four hens, the coop is perfect for eight, but we should have had twice the run space for eight hens. We eventually fenced off a little bit of the yard next to their run to let them free range. Enjoy, they are so fun and quite the interesting hobby for a family to get into.

 

[browneyedgirl77]

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We have about half an acre, give or take. We plan on getting eggs to hatch, and they will definitely not lack in the attention department. I know with proper attention most chicks can be very friendly.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Well, you don't sound like you are limited for space, and don't mind getting roosters? I would say any of the ones you listed, maybe minus the brahmas, would be a good choice. Maybe get one of a few different breeds, say an orp, a wynadotte & a sussex? Or something like that if you can't decide on one breed. I'd go for similar sizes, though, but that is just me.
My hat goes off to you for wanting to hatch eggs. I am so not that brave.

Good luck, and enjoy your babies! You'll have to keep us posted on the progress.

 

[browneyedgirl77]

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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?

 

[backyardmenagerie]

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X2! I personally am very fond of the heritage breeds. They are consistent and practical. I LOVE my Dominiques, but the Orpington and Sussex would be good choices as well.