New Member! First Chickens?

[Usernamium]

so im new here on Back Yard Chickens! (first post, so dont drown me in sulfuric acid if im doing it wrong.) im a... uhh... *checks terms of service* holy crap... uhhhhhh... ahem... i may or may not be a part of the male gender, live in southern atlantic canada in a family of 4 (+ 2 dogs) and be an aspiring chicken farmer hobbyist. anyway, i have always been interested in having chickens since i was young, finally i convinced my parents to let me get some!

i know all the wizardry that goes into coop making but im quite scared about the fluffy things that go in them, i've spent entire days dedicated to finding the right breed for me (cold hardy, personality, laying rate, looks, confinement tolerance (will probably freeroam in the future) weaknesses, etc) and i think i found one: The Delaware!

now here is the thing, some people are complaining that it doesnt do what it says right on the tin, saying their personalitys are as defective as an unbrainwashed north korean citizen during a national power outage, or deviant from the norm, some even say they had to cull theirs! (yep, i already got a hang of this farmin' lingo) i dont have the heart to kill a chicken!

so, do delas just have a bad rep? are they really this bad? is this just a vocal minority? what other chicken breeds do you recommend?

Thanks chicken-reddit!


and if anyone cares im keeping them for pets, eggs, selling (the eggs), and to be that cool/lame person (your opinion) who keeps chickens!

 

[youngchooklover]

Hello and WELCOME TO BACK YARD CHICKENS!!! from Australia!

I would suggest these breeds Silkie, Pekin, Orpington.

 

[SJ]

In my opinion you got it right the first time. Stick with the Delawares. O WELCOME! to BYC too.

I would say its a vocal minority. My first Delaware Roo was a teddy bear... up to the day he killed the first chick that hatched. But all his offspring carried have his cool temperment. I think the chick killing was confusion more than aggression. He hunted mice too. Great birds I have kept Delawares in my flock since the first year I got chickens with good reason.

That said I have also always kept Buff Orpingtons and Silver Laced Wyandottes. Delaware crossed with Orpingtons or SLW's are friendly calm birds and super productive layers.

But if I could keep only one breed...Delawares hands downs. For pets I would go with Buckeyes they are just so personable. Too personable really. I could not get away from the hens when I went outside. They would follow me every where and they would talk (squawk,cluck,coo) right at me like I knew what they were saying. "Hurry up and dig that garden faster!!! We ate all those other worms already!!!" "Why didn't you give us sunflower seeds?!?!""That no worm its a shoelace!!" Wierdos...

I would steer clear of production reds and any leghorns.

 

[Usernamium]

Thanks for the advice guys! (or gals, depending)

This is a great community!

 

[youngchooklover]

Thanks for the advice guys! (or gals, depending)

This is a great community!

XD Your welcome!

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

 

[Frindizzle]

Welcome to BYC! I would recommend Buff Orpington. A great breed to start out with.

 

[drumstick diva]

Chanticleers are a breed that originated in Canada to handle the cold winters. They have low , close to skull laying combs, that are not prone to frostbite, like breeds that have large single combs. You may like to ask around on your area thread what breeds others prefer and why. "Canadians, check-in-here." Black Australorps are another fine breed.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!