I need help picking what bird I should/want to have!

[Erik Fobo]

Hi, Im trying to get into backyard chicken cooping and Ive gotten a budget and I've thought of a coop. The only thing I need now is to choose what kind of a bird Im going to have. I think Im going to need help to choose what kind I should have.

I need a bird that can take some cold, be quiet and tame, be a good egglayer. It would be great if it would be quite small and light. Im only going to have then for eggs and for them to be my pets. Ive looked into getting brahmas but I think them may be to heavy and big.

Btw Im only going to get 3 chicks, and I live in sweden so it would be good if they were quite common.

Thank you! //Erik

 

[SOHC-FTW]

To me and where you live the obvious choice is the swedish flower hens.

 

[chicken4prez]

I would recommend Black Sex Links, Red Sex Links, Buff Orpintons and Sussexs. I'm not sure if you would have those near you though.

 

[chicken4prez]

BTW welcome to BYC!!

 

[chicken4prez]

Hi, Im trying to get into backyard chicken cooping and Ive gotten a budget and I've thought of a coop. The only thing I need now is to choose what kind of a bird Im going to have. I think Im going to need help to choose what kind I should have.

I need a bird that can take some cold, be quiet and tame, be a good egglayer. It would be great if it would be quite small and light. Im only going to have then for eggs and for them to be my pets. Ive looked into getting brahmas but I think them may be to heavy and big.

Btw Im only going to get 3 chicks, and I live in sweden so it would be good if they were quite common.

Thank you! //Erik

Oh and yes, Brahmas are huge. Their breed nickname is "King of the Chickens" and it never lies. They are massive birds. Trust me. I have one and she is so friendly but huge. I have a Mille Fleur d'Uccle hen and I heard that they are cold tolerant and very friendly.

 

[SOHC-FTW]

To add i had an breed the shf for awhile and they are absolutely my favorite layer chicken. Not a thing i dodnt enjoy about them beautiful hens and roosters real tough breed to.

 

[Erik Fobo]

BTW welcome to BYC!!

Thanks!

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I love my Swedish Flowers! They are beautiful and curious. So far mine aren't lap chickens but they don't run from me terrified either. They are yet to lay so not sure on eggs but I'm happy with them.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I get into single digits here and my birds are ok. It doesn't stay that cold for days on end but it gets pretty darn cold. I have a heated waterer that comes on when needed and turns off when it's warm enough.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

They will snuggle together if their cold. If you get cold hardy breeds they will be fine. If you're worried you can heat the coop. The two concerns with heating is fire and power outage. Fire is obvious. Power outage is a problem because if you've been keeping them warm they won't be used to the cold. If you suddenly lose power and therefore heat they can freeze.