Nanny way in over her head :)

[MandiTheNanny]

Hey everyone! I’m a nanny to a awesome family with 4 great kids! They just told me they want a chicken coop and 4 chickens in the next two weeks. I ordered a coop but now I have no idea what to do next. My boss said he wanted cool chickens.. something about indigo and red ones? I have no idea where to even begin. Stumbled across this site and was stoked! So much awesome information! My boss is a writer and director so I know me and the kids will be raising this chickens so I need to learn as much I can as soon as possible. Lol. Any tips and advice to get these “cool” chickens would be deeply appreciated!
Best,
Mandi

 

[featherhead007]

The kids may like the birds for a while, then get bored, or lazy about the responsibility of raising them.. You will probably be the nanny to them birds too

 

[PouleChick]

Hi and welcome! What a fun job you have! One thing I would say is if you have only ordered your coop at this stage is to link us to it so we can check it is really big enough. That is I would think one of the biggest (and most expensive) boo boos for new chicken owners buying small coops that are listed as being for a certain number but in reality take about half what they say they do - I've read at least a million threads on here about it !

As for cool chickens - wow you won't believe how cool some of the are! Silkies are hilarious to look at (kind of mini fluffy dinosaurs!) and very sweet, Aruacanas or Amerucanas if you are in the US lay blue eggs, Easter eggers lay green or other coloured ones, Faverolles are great layers, friendly and fluffy, Wyandottes have gorgeous plumage and the list goes on! Even with only 4 hens you could have a pretty egg basket! Have a look at the breeds area - will help you have a good idea of what is available.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/category/chicken-breeds.2/
All those I mentioned are good for beginners (actually not sure about the Wyandottes maybe check on that) which will be important for you and the kids, you want nice docile chooks. Indigo and red - not sure what he is thinking of, someone more experianced than me hopefully will!
Also masses of info for you to read through all over the site but just ask if you can't find it!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

 

[PouleChick]

The kids may like the birds for a while, then get bored, or lazy about the responsibility of raising them.. You will probably be the nanny to them birds too

Although fabulous learning for them even if they do get bored at some point you'd hope that they will still learn some valuable life skills.
Oh and you only have to look at featherhead007's avatar photo to see a cool chicken

 

[featherhead007]

thanks!

 

[PouleChick]

thanks!

What sort it is?

 

[featherhead007]

View attachment 1400038 My rooster "Blu", is a Black White Crested Polish

 

[Phoebus]

Now THIS is a cool chicken! It's a polish crested tolbunt.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens a fabulous tool for the kids to learn

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Buying 4 cool chickens on someone elses dime?

One of each; Ayam cemani, candycorn polish, french black and copper maran, and a shamo. Done. XD

Want something hardy, friendly and easy to care for? Easter egger, orprington, australorp and a golden buff. The buff will rule the roost, they have strong wills.