New to chickens - looking to start with 4 - which breeds?

[CityChook]

Tracy - Welcome to BYC!

It sounds like you've picked out some nice birds for your entry to backyard chicken keeping! Before getting my Buff Orps last March, I had never even held a chicken before. It's amazing how these fluffy butts attach themselves to your heart. My birds just turned 1 last week - we all survived a very long, very cold MN winter and those girls laid every day.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I don't think I could have undergone this new endeavor without the help of my fellow BYCers. This is an exceptional group of people and the information you will find in searching this site is extensive.

By all means, include your kids in the care and upbringing of the chickens. What a gift! Most of all, have FUN!

 

[Gersbud]

I love my ameracunas, and my welsummers. I have never had a problem with either breed.

 

[jennh]

Hi ! I have 12 hens, all different breeds. I have a black cochin, hardly lays at all, gets really broody. Beautiful bird, very hardy, but she doesn't like snow. I guess she doesn't like the ice that forms on her feathery feet. She doesn't mind them just getting wet, though. I have a Barred Rock, excellent layer, really sweet, and smart! My New Hampshire Red is also very sweet, and a good layer. Another excellent layer of smaller eggs is a Dominique, also very sweet. My Speckled Sussex is a so-so layer, very sweet. My "girls" are all very tame, but some are not as friendly as others. Mine are all trained to come when I call them and they also know their names. And NO, I won't be eating them--------------------

Jen

 

[vortec]

Buff Orps for sure! These are great birds with a lot of personality. They will come over to be petted and love for you to pick them up. They sometimes chirp and kick to be put down but instantly want you to pick them back up so you can't love another one. I have some of everything on your list. I have EEs, BRs, and Aussies. They are all great and all are calm and will eat out of your hand. Another one that I reccomend is the Black Jersey Giant. They are a little skiddish but not too much, as they too will eat out of your hand. Since you plan to keep and not cook, these hens will grow to ten pounds! thats big for a rooster, real big for a hen. I can't say much about the laying as my oldest are 8 weeks. If you order Buff Orps, and they are anything like mine, you will be very pleased. Great birds!

vortec

 

[hungryhensfarm]

My Jersey Black Giants are huge. And I think it's safe to say that they lay jumbo size eggs.

One of my two hens sometimes lays a double yolker. I know when she has because it's

almost double the usual size. I'm hoping to hatch some off as soon as I get set up for it. I

four black roos but the one my nephew named Teak is the prettiest of the four. He's quite

large and majestic looking. When the sun shines on him just right the green sheen really

lights up. I'm very happy with my Jersey Black Giants.

 

[hungryhensfarm]

Quote:
So very true!

We can't help ourselves!

 

[Charlene]

I am way late weighing in on this.

I love my Barred Rocks! They lay 6 eggs/week in the summer and 5 in the winter. They are gentle and friendly, even though I hardly interact with them. They free range and find their own food. In , N. Cal where I am, I only have to feed them in the coldest winter months (Dec, Jan, Feb). They also put up with the 100+ degree weather fine. They can't fly really, and need a step to jump the 5' up to their roost. I have 3 babies now, 1 BR and two black sex link (which BTW are RIR X BR) I think the black sex links are more skittish, I think that is from the RIR side which is more skittish.

Anyway, chickens are great and you will find the right one for your lifestyle. I just wanted to chime in for the BRs!

 

[cmom]

Here is a great reference book, Gail Damerow's 'Storey's Guide to Chickens' is an excellent guide, as well as this web site an excellent source of information.

Also here are some other good sites and info.
Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart
http://www.mypetchicken.com/aboutChickens.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/lcenter.html
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

 

[SussexInSeattle]

Quote:
Small combs and feathery feet are MADE for freezing conditions! My Buff Brahma does better than anyone when it is bitter cold because her feet are ALWAYS warm. Also, I would not want to ever have to dub a large frostbitten comb.

 

[Mahonri]

Buff Orp
EE
Astralorp or Black Sex link
Barred Rock or RIR