New guy from Minnesnowta

[Michael OShay]

I'm kind of leaning towards 2 buff orpingtons and 1 barred rock. Just because I understand they are hardy enough for the minnesota winters and friendly enough for my kids.

I've had both Buff Orpingtons (still have BOs) and Barred Rocks and they are both very cold hardy birds. The lay rate of the two breeds is about the same (3, occasionally 4 eggs per hen per week). Barred Rocks are normally docile, although on very rare occasions, I've had an aggressive one. I've never had an aggressive Buff Orpington in my flock, and they are a wonderful breed for children; friendly, calm, and gentle (my children, and now my granddaughter, made lap pets of ours).

 

[sunflour]

No breed preference. I know literally nothing. Minus the little things in picking up here and there reading on BYC. Which I must say is an amazing site. Kudos to the guys who helped get this thing up and the members who really make it.

I'm kind of leaning towards 2 buff orpingtons and 1 barred rock. Just because I understand they are hardy enough for the minnesota winters and friendly enough for my kids.

The only draw back is that my fiancé is severely allergic to hay and straw so the bedding materials are going to be limited. However I have searched high and low. Luckily you guys make it easy for me to not have to post a million questions by just using the search button. Most of anything I ever need to ask is already said.

With that being said I am a sponge and will take in everything you all experienced folks tell me.

Last point. I apologize for any grammatical errors as I do not have a computer. Everything is done off my iPhone or tablet (which I downloaded the app for) and I love!

I also am allergic to hay/straw had to stop attending our county fairs when I was in my 20's because of it.. We are in Georgia with quite a different climate but have sand in run/coop and nests. You could consider leaves in the run, pine shavings in the coop and nests?

I have hatchery/feed store bought chicks, now 20 mo old, so may be different if you're planning to get yours from a breeder. I have 3 Barred Rocks and 3 Buff Orps. They are quite fun and really spoiled hens. Don't know if my situation is unique, but 2 of my buffs go broody too often. And guess the pheromones makes the other go broody too. No roosters, no fertilized eggs. But it is trying sometimes to deal with the hormonal swings. When the big gals lay, we get wonderful large to xl eggs. My rocks and the other BO have never been broody …<hoping that comment doesn't jinx me>…but their eggs range from small to large. But I love the BO and BR, they have wonderful personalities and have been a pleasure to raise. And their feather colors are quite complimentary.

Cannot imagine your winters, but we had a low of 5F with high 11 F last winter, and my gals acted like it was a wonderful spring day! We had snow and sleet and they just did their "chicken thing".

Good luck with your selection.

And a private message to your fiancé : also tell him you are allergic to chicken poo and cannot help on clean out days

 

[Potbellied Yeti]

Ha! I'm sure she'll use that excuse all to often. Until she gets attached that is. I was hoping to do the deep litter type of coop with hopefully shavings of some sort instead of sand. It gets quite cold up here some months well below freezing.

 

[sunflour]

Ha! I'm sure she'll use that excuse all to often. Until she gets attached that is. I was hoping to do the deep litter type of coop with hopefully shavings of some sort instead of sand. It gets quite cold up here some months well below freezing.

Sorry, the PM was for her, didn't know how to send the message without you seeing it...

Our chickens were my idea…DH does the day to day care..Cause I work, and he's retired…..So latrine duty is mine. But, he knows I have allergies, so do you think he'll buy the idea that now I am allergic to chicken feathers and poop. That way, I can just have fun with the gals and he can do all the real work?

Do you think she needs to join separately, you know for girl talk?

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to the Backyard chickens flock. I was in Minnesnowta only once in my life - but it was early June. No snowta but, wow the heat was bad. 90's even late evening. I was there briefly to judge a puppy sweepstakes for the Cocker Spaniel specialty show - Twin Cities. Must have been early to mid 70's.

I think you made good choices for your flock.

 

[Potbellied Yeti]

She's too busy remodeling the house. Her way of relaxing....sounds fun right. But I'll be 'sure' to pass your 'pm' message along.

Yes it does get warm here too.....sometimes. This summer we barely had a couple days over 90F. The winter was another story. Down to -50F with windchill. (I understand windchill doesn't count for the coop) we had more than our fair share of days below zero and most of winter is below freezing.

 

[sunflour]

She's too busy remodeling the house. Her way of relaxing....sounds fun right. But I'll be 'sure' to pass your 'pm' message along.

Yes it does get warm here too.....sometimes. This summer we barely had a couple days over 90F. The winter was another story. Down to -50F with windchill. (I understand windchill doesn't count for the coop) we had more than our fair share of days below zero and most of winter is below freezing.

OMG! Windchill -50…glad I'm in GA.

And yes, remodeling the house sounds like loads of fun to me…but DH thinks once you paint…it's forever and bet you do too...

 

[Chickenchick11]

fellow Minnesnowtan. LOL. Buff Orps and Barred Rocks are great breeds. I have White Rocks, ( Which are the Barred Rocks cousin ) and Rhode Island Reds. Both are great breeds as well.

 

[Blooie]

Smart guy - building the coop BEFORE the chickens come! You know that age old question, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" It was supposed to be "Which came first, the chicken or the coop." In my case I did it WAYYYY backwards!

Welcome from this former Minnesota/South Dakota/Iowa lady.

 

[Chickenchick11]

Smart guy - building the coop BEFORE the chickens come!  You know that age old question, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"  It was supposed to be "Which came first, the chicken or the coop."  In my case I did it WAYYYY backwards!


Welcome from this former Minnesota/South Dakota/Iowa lady. 

I did it way back backwards to. My chickens lived in a penned off section of our garage for 10 months before we remodeled the coop. I think I should have remodeled the coop FIRST then got the chickens. LOL.