Never Done THis Before

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[SixChickFlock]

Welcome!

I began just last February with no prior experience.Lot's of great info here on BYC.

The only thing I would have done differently... Get the coop built before the chicks reached 6 weeks old.

You'll do fine and won't need the good luck I wish you!

 

[CrazyChookz]

Hello

and Welcome to BYC! I hope you find answers for all your poultry questions here. If you are completely focused on egg production, consider a hybrid breed. I personally recommend Australorps to new beginners, they are fantastic layers (for a standard breed), friendly and easy to care for.

 

[SixChickFlock]

On chicken varieties... I have a mixed flock and all are super easy to deal with.

In pecking order:

10 month old hens, raised from chicks together
Buff Orpington
Black Austrolorp
Barred Rock (late layer compared to the others, huge eggs! Very friendly)
Americana-Easter Egger (tan/black colored)
Golden Laced Wyantotte (skittish due to her position?)

6 month old... Bought as pullets
New Hampshire (Super sweet! Living indoors now. Leg problem)
Black Austrolorp (First one was so nice I couldn't resist)
Americana-Easter Egger (white/cream colored)

Americana Rooster (Rehomed to me... Owners couldn't keep a rooster)

All of them are my favorites. All can be handled quite easily. They all know their names and sometimes the names of others. They will take turns jumping for treats, when I call their names. The New Hampshire is still laying big eggs indoors... She started only a couple weeks ago at the same time the older Barred Rock began to lay. The rest of the older group started laying in July or so, and are now taking a break during the short days and seem to be going through a soft molt, not all at once. Two young ones have yet to lay. Any day now!

If you wanted only one type... Black Austrolorp might be my recommendation. I wanted to experience mine as individuals... Different colors helps me tell them apart and count them when I need to!

The manner in which and how often you interact with them may be a huge factor in how they react to you. All nine are my buddies!