Looking for a breed...

[debilorrah]

Looks like a couple other members answered your question!!!!

 

[byrandom]

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

from TN

 

[mwdh1]

and

 

[MaggieRae]

Thanks all!
I'm not really picky breed wise. I just need something that won't mind the heat. Preferably something quiet. I need something that doesn't require a lot of maintance, but is friendly, since when I have time, I will spend a lot of time playing with them.

There are little kids around too... That would be lovely if a chicken pecked off a finger.

So, any ideas?

 

[MaggieRae]

I was also going to ask. I don't want any roosters. We have some elderly neighbors who own a lake house next door and they'll be making quite a bit of noise if a rooster is keeping them up.

I haven't found a feed store around that sells sexed chicks, and I don't want 25 from a hatchery... Any ideas?

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

from TN
www.mypetchicken.com sells, as little as 3 chicks in an order.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Try a new posting, probably in the Where am I, Where are you section, offering to split an order with someone in your area. You may get lucky. Or post in the buy, sell, trade section you are looking for pullets in the area. You can also try Craig's List.

Almost any chicken can handle the heat if you give them shade and they always have access to clean water. As far as breeds, silkies may be a good choice but they go broody a lot. I consider that a good thing about them, but having any broody around a young child may not be good, plus you need to break them from being broody. That may negate your requirement for low maintenance.

I'd recommend the Sussex, Orpington, or Australorp as the full-sized breeds to consider, considering your quiet and friendly considerations. The Orpington's do have a reputation as being a broody breed, similar to silkies. I know Gritsar loves her mellow Brahmas which apparently are not broody, darn her luck. You can look at breeds and get a general idea of their characteristics, but a lot of the hen's personality is individual. Rhode Island Reds have a reputation of being an aggressive, not friendly breed, but you will find people on this site who love their mellow, friendly RIR's. I think it may be strain dependent as well as how they are raised.

Good luck.

 

[MaggieRae]

Thanks so much everyone! I think I've finally got it all figured out.

I'm planning on ordering from my.petchicken.com. I'm thinking Easter eggers, Silver laced Wyandottes, and Australorps. I still may go with a local breeder, depending on what the family decides.
Thanks again!

 

[eaganchickens]

from MN!