I'm a beginner. And I mean BEGINNER!

[freshegg]

 

[ibpboo]

Welcome to the friendly and fun site!!
I agree with paying more for the sexed chicks. The only reason you would need a rooster is if you want your hens to lay fertile eggs for hatching. Roosters are not always good around children, but some are, just maybe better to not take the chance.
I have Rhode Island Reds, they are not mean and I have Barred Rcok that is not mean. I also have a silkie that is so sweet and lovable, but silkies lay very small eggs and go broody a lot. That means they like to sit on the eggs and try to hatch them, even if they are not fertile.
It seems I may want to try getting buff orpingtons from what I keep hearing about how friendly they are!!

 

[cmom]

Here is a great referance book, Gail Damerow's 'Storey's Guide to Chickens' is an excellent guide, as well as this web site.
Also here are a couple of other good sites.
Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html

 

[FractalFarmer]

We love all our chickens, but our buff orphingtons love us back!

: Or at least they pretend to. Maybe they think that they get more treats if they pretend to love us. But that's good enough for me. And they are pretty quiet. We also favor our light brahma (see avatar), and she has a very sweet voice. She's tolerant of our attention, but I'm not totally convinced that she feels the love.

Our silver laced wyandottes are nice, but they have a very annoying honking voice. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but what will the neighbors think?

The favorite chicken post rotates, though. I love them all best on different days. But if I had to pick just one, it would be the buff orphingtons (Butterscotch, Banana, and Flo). I think my kids would agree, since they like to "catch and pet". Have fun, and welcome!

 

[BayCityBabe]

It's not that hard - like taking care of a baby.

Just feed it, clean up the poo and watch it at all times!
Seriously, you only need to spend time on this forum. The real experts are here & the info is solid.
Best of luck!

 

[Clay In Iowa]

I'm getting started as well. I was going to suggest Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart but cmom beat me to it. It's very helpful.

There are a TON of very helpful, very friendly people on this site so your in good hands. here.

 

[mrandmrschicken]

Welcome Misspoppins. Glad you are here.

We have no experience with the popular buff orpingtons but, since you have kids, another fun layer you might want to consider are EE's. Ameracaunas. They are gentle and friendly and lay colored eggs! Blues to greens. Kids like that it's fun.

 

[Guitartists]

 

[Southernbelle]

My EEs are my friendliest chickens. I sit down near the chickens and they all come to see me. My RIR hen lets the kids pet her and she lays really well.

Chickens are so much fun - welcome to the madness!

 

[Frizzledhen]