New From Tennessee

[TheNewHen]

HI!
One would think that growing up in Kentucky and having a grandmother who raised chickens would make me a semi-pro. But sadly, I'm new to all of this! I live in Knoxville TN with my husband and three kids. 14 year old son, 2 yr old daughter and 8 month old daughter. We are going to be raising chickens this year!!! We are so excited and I'm so glad to have found you guys! I will have tons of questions, from electric fencing to how big to make the coop. I'm a tad nervous.... But so excited!
First question if anyone wants to answer.
Which chickens are the best for a first timer??
Thanks so much!!!
Monica

 

[TwoCrows]

You might want to stop by our learning center here on BYC. Lots of good reads on all the aspects of poultry keeping, from building the coop, raising the babies, feeding, keeping them healthy and protecting them from predators...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Great to have you aboard and enjoy BYC!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Check out the Learning Center, lots of great chicken articles covering about everything! https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
For figuring out what breeds you want, check out the BYC Breeds section, there are member reviews of a lot of breeds, https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/category/chicken-breeds and the Henderson chicken breed chart compares a lot of popular breeds http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html It does depend on if you are looking mostly for eggs and you are willing to replace your flock every couple of years when they slow down laying or if you are looking also for pets and will keep them long term. If you are looking just at the number of eggs, the various commercial Red Sex Links (they go by different names depending on the hatchery, Red Stars, Golden Comets, ISA Browns etc) for brown eggs, and the White Leghorns for white eggs are probably number one. Somepopular brown egg laying breeds that don't lay quite as well but usually will lay over a longer period of time and are popular starting breeds are Sussex, Wyandottes, Orpintons, Delawares, Australorps and Plymouth Rocks, and for a colorful egg basket Easter Eggers / Ameraucana for blue/green eggs and Welsummers or Marans for dark brown eggs.

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[sourland]

Hi, Monica, welcome to BYC. Continue your research. Breed selection depends upon what you want from your birds. Eggs, meat, dual purpose, or 'pretty'. Two Crows and Kelsie have provided some good links. You might also want to go to the Social forum and click on 'Where am I? Where are you!' to locate your state thread and get some advice from your neighbors.

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[gander007]