I'm a beginner. And I mean BEGINNER!

[misspoppins]

My family has just decided this year that we are going to get our first laying hens. I've been studying up, but I was wondering (since y'all seem to know what you're doing) if you could give me any advice.

We don't quite know what breed would should get yet. What do you think? We're looking for good layers that are good with children and quiet, if there is such a breed.

I'd appreciate any advice you have!

 

[crazyhen]

I like the idea of the gentle buff-orpingtons. They lay well even in winter and are very good with family.. I have heard that some of the Delawares are good if they are handled as chicks by children or others too. They lay exceptionally well.
You will find on here each of us have our favorites. Welcome to BYC.
For more info. Go to the web site www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks. There may be something after that but it is the henderson chicken breed chart. It will tell about egg production, size behavior etc. enjoy. I would post the click on version if I knew how. Jean

 

[Pumpkinpup]

Chanteclers and Buff Orpingtons are both excellent choices for sweet temperment and terriffic layers of nice brown eggs. As a bonus, they are both very attractive birds and are weather hardy

Good luck with your new flock whatever you choose!

 

[Dar]

i am a city slicker who decided to get chickens and this is a wonderful group of people with loads of information

 

[allaboutdemchicks]

Yep!! I did alot of research on what to start with....the best if you want some to follow you around, jump up on ya, etc., etc. would be the Buff Orpingtons....a better layer thats related to the Orps are the Black Australorps. Both are not to expensive or heard to find. Just remember that the key to their hearts are treats!!

 

[orcasislandchickens]

We all have our favourites. Oh yes we do (I love buff orpingtons also). One thing I am quick to tell anyone getting just a few for egg laying pets ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE CHILDREN is pay the extra and get sexed pullets. There is still a small chance you will get a male (sexing is only 90-95% accurate) but the odds are good you won't have to give any up.

Perhaps it is chance or perhaps it is because the males are naturally braver, but it seems the freindly one, the one that the children love the most, always turns out to be a rooster. Save the agony and get just hens. If you want a rooster for some reason order one (1) and have them mark which one it is. I do not recommend a rooster for a backyard flock. the ratio is like 10 hens to each roo or the girls are ummm overworked.

 

[birdsofparadise]

Iʻd second that motion for Black Australorps. They are a selected strain of Orpingtonʻs developed in Australia for good feed conversion and heavy laying. They still claim to hold the record of 360 eggs from on hen in a year! Plus, they are about as cheap as can be. I think Ideal gets $2.18 for hens if you buy 25.

 

[redoak]

I vote buff orpingtons.

 

[misspoppins]

Oh, thanks for your help! I'll look into those breeds

 

[Opa]

I have 8 different breeds of chickens and I think you would be hard pressed to find a breed to meet your requirements better than the black australorps. My oldest son has been raising them exclusively, for several years, and it is my granddaughter chore to take care of the chickens. She handles them without any problems. They winter well and a prodigous layers. They are docile and quiet and are excellent free rangers, yet they do equally well when confined. As I stated I have 8 breeds and my BA's are my best layers.