Need Help selecting baby chicks!

[jason9111]

Okay, I am getting my 1st chickens. I have everything ready at home. The brooder is ready. I decided to use a recycleable tote that is pretty large with a warming light. I have built a new coop and I am designing the run now. I need some help and advice. The local farm supply place has this selection of chicks and I don't know exactly which ones to get. Also know that these are biddies and they will be pets to my family. I have a 3 year old and 6 year old son. I also LOVE eggs and work at a firestation where they will not go to waste. Although I have heard that they are not the greatest of egg layers, I know I want a silkie. I wanted to limit the number to 3-4. Here is what I have found:

Golden comets, rhode island reds, barred rocks, and red and black sex links. Let me know what you all think as I have found all my advice and information on this forum. I for certain know I want atleast one silkie, although he has two. Maybe both and a barred rock. Thanks.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

I vote Barred Rock - along with your one or two silkies. If you can swing 4 - I would do 2 and 2.


Almost forgot...Welcome! You'll love it here! Good Luck with your new chicks.

 

[littlestars17]

lol Why not one of each? I have 3 golden comets(red sex links) and they are the sweetest girls ever : ) Also very efficent egg layers, my 4 little guys love them : )

 

[jujubean99]

I have had rhode island reds before and they have the sweetest dispositions, and they are also known for their very proficient egg laying. I vote rhode islands!

 

[babsbag]

I haven't owned the other breeds you mentioned, but my barred rock hen is a doll and a character. She sleeps with my goats, and rides on them. She has no idea she is a chicken. She gives me an egg a day and has since she started laying EARLY this winter (Jan). I love her. Very good natured.

 

[jason9111]

Yeah, my wife loves the silkies and I love the barred rock. So if I go with one silkie, one barred rock, what next. The sexlinks, comets or rhode island reds. My coop will be 4x4 ft, and a run about 5x10 ft, so I don't want to get to crowded. I think the red sexlinks and rhode island reds look pretty close to the same when grown? I kind of wanted a variety of colors in my small number of chicks. Please keep responding, I have until in the morning to decide. Thanks so much for your responses.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

You can not leave the one silkie all by it's self there. Plus the one you have will need a buddy they are much slower growing than other breeds. I had RIR before and loved them, they are very pretty, but the silkies I have now are the greatest. Will the other roo's not pick on the smaller silkie? Not sure if you are buying sexed chicks or not? Hard to tell with Silkies unless they check the vent. I know nothing of Barred Rocks! You may want to get extras in case of roos that you may want or have to get rid of later.