New to backyardchickens.com

[happystormy]

Hi there. New here. We don't have chickens yet, still in the research phase. It looks like our county allows us to have a backyard flock so we are excited. I am hoping to get some advice on chicken recmmendations. We live in zone 9b with less than 1000 chill hours annually. Not quite tropical with little if any frost during the winter. I am looking for heat hardy, people friendly, good laying chickens. We don't have many predators besides neighborhood cats and oppossums. Do skunks count? I don't want to go too big too soon but I am thinking about an order of ten from cackle hatchery. They seem to have a good deal for ten vaccinated and shipped for a set price. Any advice and words of wisdom, along with encouragement, is always welcomed. Thanks in advance!

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens. Once you have chickens you will discover you have a lot more kinds of predators around than you think. Snakes and rats will steal eggs and gladly eat any chicks they find. Opossum and skunks take their fair share too. You probably have hawks and owls also. Maybe bobcat, mink , weasels, coyotes. You haven't seen them because you had nothing they wanted.

It would be a great idea to subscribe to your state thread- to get the lowdown on preds in your area, what breeds are best for your climate, type of coop etc. It would be a great idea if you visit the Learning Center, as well.

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

Welcome to backyard chickens!!

Thats great that you are getting into chickens!! What are you planning to use them for (pets, egg layers, meat, etc)?

Some good egg layers i would recommend would be: Brown (or white) Leghorns, wyandottes (whatever color is fine, i raise silver laced, gold laced, and blue laced red), Production reds, Rhode island red, black sex link, and australorps.

Well, good luck!!

 

[trailrider330]

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

 

[N F C]

If you haven't already, check out the Learning Center. There are some very good articles there on the topics you want to know about like picking the right breed for your needs, predator prevention, etc.

Good luck to you and if you have questions, always feel free to ask. There are a lot of helpful members here and a ton of information.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

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