My first flock - how's this list sound?

[FollowingMyNose]

Getting ready to place my first order - I have never had so much fun shopping in my life. I am looking for a dozen chicks - no roos. We are in a subdivision. And I want as many eggs as we can get, without having to fight too much for them. I'm a wuss and the chicken would win the fight. Since I am new at this, I also need to stay away from any special need types, but would like to have a wide variety for entertainment and educational purposes. So here's the list I am currently looking at:

Rhode Island
Plymouth Rock
Star
Wyandotte
Chantecler
Easter Egg
Naked Neck-Turken
Delaware
Minorca
Ameraucana
Ancona
Catalana
Jersey Giant

That's 13...are there any of these that would be problematic for a newbie in a subdivision? Any that are not good layers or get too broody? Or any that will get bullied too much or will be too much of a bully?

Thanks for any input, and I am certainly open to any other suggestions for breeds I might have missed!

 

[crazyhen]

Hi there,
Some of your hens do not particularly like to be in a fenced area. Please refer to the henderson chicken page. I can't remember the page address but they tell you about that. I know Minorcas are one. Although they lay beautiful white eggs. You will need lots of room for that many chickens when they are grown or you will have pecking issues. I find that chickens of similar colors work better together. If you have mostly dark hens and only one or two white they get picked on and vice-versa.
If I were just starting out I would get the plymouth rock, the easter eggers and the RIR. Or the delawares and the white rocks etc.
Some of the ones on your list do better in cold climates like the chantecler. They also are not too friendly.
Do you live in a hot part of Georgia? That should also be a consideration as some breeds handle the heat and cold differently.
I wish I could help more but I am not at my home computer and don't have a lot of information stored on this one. Gloria Jean
PS just found out the chart in on the learning center page under internet links. Enjoy

 

[FollowingMyNose]

Very helpful Gloria Jean - thank you! I do have the Henderson Chicken list, and went through it, then the one on this site, and then used the tool on the My Pet Chickens website. Some of the info is a little contradictory. We have about 400 square feet allocated for the chickens and the area provides some shade but it can still get pretty hot here in Dallas, which is NW Georgia. I really appreciate the info about the dark and light colors - had not come across that tidbit before. A friend that has chickens not too far from here recommended staying away from the whites but I am not sure why. I'll have to ask her again - maybe the red Georgia clay? The Plymouth Rock, EE, and RIR were very high on my list so glad to get that recommendation from you!

 

[lotzahenz]

I like your list, except I'd re-think the Minorca, they are smallish and more flighty. Maybe the Ancona, smaller and not as calm for a smaller yard. I have not had any experience with the Catalana but the rest are just great. My favs are RIR's and Jersey Giants. The stars are great layers too, and you can't go wrong with the Ameraucanas and Naked Necks. All of these are excellent layers. You could skip the Easter Egger, it's a cross bred Amerauacana. You can't beat a Cuckoo Marans, they grow so fast, lay great and have a beautiful egg. I'd pick a Partridge Rock hen, they are really nice. So many choices, just like in a candy shop. I love a varied flock, with the egg basket having so many colors. Good luck with them, it would be cool to have 25 all different chicks!

 

[FollowingMyNose]

Thank you lotzahenz (great name!!) OK, so Minorca is definitely off the list with 2 strikes right off the bat. Ancona are probably off as well. I am going to look up the Partridge Rock hen now! And I need to go back and look a the colors...I would love to have the most variety possible, but we are just getting 12 this time around, at least that's the current plan!

 

[FortWorthChicks]

Sounds fun! If I was you I would narrow the breeds down by half and get two of each. They tend to hang out with birds of a like feather. (Seriously)

 

[SunshineSteedFarm]

I bought 2 Naked Neck hens and they are the best layers I have ever had. They have only missed maybe a couple of days here and there in the winter since I have had them, which is about 2 years. Fantastic chickens with great personalities.

I recommend them for their laying abilities, hardiness, and personality.

 

[FollowingMyNose]

I wondered about that FortWorthChicks! But boy, that is going to be hard....only 6 different kinds. Well, I shouldn't complain - a few days ago I was going to be happy with just getting 3 or 4 easter chicks. i am really happy to hear someone recommend the Naked Necks, so thanks for that SunshineSteedFarm.

I have learned more in the last 10 minutes than the last few hours of reading - should have posted sooner!

 

[Mahonri]

Scratch the Minorca and the Ancona. Not worth the effort.

 

[FollowingMyNose]

Done Mahonri! Thanks!