Looking to get chickens! relatively first time, let's say. Can you help with age/breed/egg color/fa

[piopio123]

Hi all,
I just joined BYC. We have decided to get chickens! Yay, how exciting. We had been wanting them and thinking it would just be practical considering how many eggs we eat. So we just got the go ahead from our landlord!

So let me lay it all on the table and well welcome any thoughts, advice, opinions.

We have decided on 3 birds.
First I thought chicks because let's face it they are adorable, and you really bond...but then
We had thought about getting more established pullets or just taking in an unwanted hen, so as to avoid the egg waiting. But then I considered 2 things,
1. I would like us to bond, ideally have the chicken follow us around, not go into neighboring yards (says the landlord) and I felt perhaps an adult would not take to that as well.
2. We are always conscious about the egg/dairy/meats that we consume, and intend to raise the birds on grass, bugs, organic compost as much as possible. However if they come from just any where I don't know what they will have been raised on/ given(in terms of antibiotics etc.)

Now besides those queries, I am considering breed. We would love to have chickens that one could describe (as I have seen some people do so wonderfully) as "lap chickens". We have a 4 year old who is so excited to take care of them. We are looking for docile, friendly, chicken friends...who can lay a decent amount.

Among the 3 I would like at least 1 blue/green egg layer !!!! (maybe even a mossy green, olive egger that I have recently read exsist!)

We are located in the Pioneer Valley of western Mass. If you have any ideas as to what may suit us well, and/or where to find it, THANK YOU!

p.s. Basically I want to give this good consideration without over thinking and going mad! so I decided to let the BYC forum in on it. : ) Most any chicken could be a good chicken, given a chance, right?

 

[3riverschick]

Hi all,
I just joined BYC. We have decided to get chickens! Yay, how exciting. We had been wanting them and thinking it would just be practical considering how many eggs we eat. So we just got the go ahead from our landlord!

So let me lay it all on the table and well welcome any thoughts, advice, opinions.

We have decided on 3 birds.
First I thought chicks because let's face it they are adorable, and you really bond...but then
We had thought about getting more established pullets or just taking in an unwanted hen, so as to avoid the egg waiting. But then I considered 2 things,
1. I would like us to bond, ideally have the chicken follow us around, not go into neighboring yards (says the landlord) and I felt perhaps an adult would not take to that as well.
It depends on the breed you choose and the amount of attention and affection it has been shwn so far and that you show it when you get it. See below.
2. We are always conscious about the egg/dairy/meats that we consume, and intend to raise the birds on grass, bugs, organic compost as much as possible. However if they come from just any where I don't know what they will have been raised on/ given(in terms of antibiotics etc.)
Don't get all hung up in organics if it is your first go at poultry. Just raise them the traditional way. Chickens are resilient fowl. Babying then too much can make them less robust. Go down the middle of the road and KISS.

Now besides those queries, I am considering breed. We would love to have chickens that one could describe (as I have seen some people do so wonderfully) as "lap chickens". We have a 4 year old who is so excited to take care of them. We are looking for docile, friendly, chicken friends...who can lay a decent amount. Good traditional "lap chicken" breeds: Large fowl: Australop, Buff Orpington, Easter Egger. Bantams: Silkie. Actually, the affection and attention the chicks get when raising will have a lot to do with how friendly they are when raised up. This is true of so many breeds. Sussex are a friendly, docile breed but they lay a lighter brown egg,.

Among the 3 I would like at least 1 blue/green egg layer !!!! (maybe even a mossy green, olive egger that I have recently read exist!) Blue egg layer crossed with brown egg layer makes a green egg layer. For brown eggs, Welsummer or Marans For blue eggs : Araucana or Ameraucana. For green egg layer: Easter Egger from heritage known to produce green eggs. the darker the blue and/or brown eggs from the parent's strain, the darker green eggs the kids will lay.

We are located in the Pioneer Valley of western Mass. If you have any ideas as to what may suit us well, and/or where to find it, THANK YOU! See above.

p.s. Basically I want to give this good consideration without over thinking and going mad! so I decided to let the BYC forum in on it. : ) Most any chicken could be a good chicken, given a chance, right? No. Some breeds are know as flighty some are known as friendly. For a specific purpose, not all breeds are created equal.

Best Regards,
Karen and the Light Sussex in western PA, USA