New, and undecided on breed for first chickens

[mickey328]

Another plus (in my books anyway) is that the sexlinks don't go broody. Of course if you were wanting to get a roo and hatch, then that wouldn't be such a good thing. For us it's perfect cuz 6 is the most we can have and can't have a roo. We have a couple that seem to like to sit on the eggs for a half hour or so, but they don't ever fuss even a little when you reach under 'em to scoop up the eggs. Mostly they'll sit there for another couple minutes and then wander out to join the rest of the flock.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us!

 

[Dnetschke]

Check out Wyandottes in the breed section. If you have space concerns look into bantams(1\2 size chickens).

 

[jonheffley]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome. I don't know why but emails aren't getting to me from byc, so I didn't know I had all these responses.

It turned out to be moot because the feed store had taken me seriously (I thought I'd told them what I _tentatively_ wanted) and ordered me 3 buff orpingtons and 3 golden sex links. We got them 2 days ago, and they're delightful. Murderous to the bugs we give them, but delightfully murderous.

It sounds like we got a good mix. For the GSL's I think I can tolerate the eggs becoming thin as long as it doesn't mean they all crack and as long as they're edible. And, I was concerned for the orpingtons about the heat as someone said earlier, but the lady at the feed store said they were excellent and do fine here. They're certainly a very popular choice down here. And it sounds like for hardiness and longevity it's good to have a few.

I appreciate all the recommendations, too, but obviously it's too late to change now. I thought we were going to get these after Spring break!

 

[pollo portero]

I haven't had chickens for long, but my New Hampshire Reds and Isa Browns all give me an egg a day--and in Michigan, that's pretty good for the dead of Winter! They have been durable enough to be the "Guinea Pigs" while I figured out what to do and now they are like puppies and follow me around. But, I plan to have different breeds come Spring just for the variety. Anyway, have fun with it!