New to chickens/ would like advice on selecting breeds

[lazy gardener]

Check out Henderson's Chicken breeds list. So many choices. Like a kid in a candy store. I found this list helpful for me to narrow my choices. After you've selected a few breeds, go to the breeds threads and read a bit there. Of course every chicken owner is convinced that their favorite breed is THE BEST breed in the whole world! Also, read breed descriptions on the various hatchery sites.

 

[SilkiesInSuburb]

Silkies and Brahmas, from my experience, are wonderful, wonderful pets. They're not bad layers but can go broody and/or randomly lay whenever they like. I highly recommend them.

 

[coverchicken]

Haha! They are occasional coyotes that cross my property but none have been within 300yds of house. We do have hawks and bald eagles that fly around our area. I know that having chickens may cause that environment to change. I also have to large dogs (that are very mindful and will not be left alone with the birds) that keep wild animals from roaming.

 

[coverchicken]

Check out Henderson's Chicken breeds list. So many choices. Like a kid in a candy store. I found this list helpful for me to narrow my choices. After you've selected a few breeds, go to the breeds threads and read a bit there. Of course every chicken owner is convinced that their favorite breed is THE BEST breed in the whole world! Also, read breed descriptions on the various hatchery sites.

Thanks!!

 

[lazy gardener]

YVW.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

Welcome! Sounds like you're already getting some GREAT pointers on here! The Silkies are FANTASTIC but will go broody. I love the Mottled Cochin Hail to the Cochin owners! Speckled Sussex are extremely friendly and also good layers.
Whatever breed you choose they will bring you joy!
Keep us posted!

 

[sylviethecochin]

I've never had buff opringtons, but I've heard that they're great with kids. Australorps are also very gentle chickens. Why don't you get a mix and see what you like?

 

[MrsMistyReal]

Welcome aboard to BYC family gr8 people tons of information loads of fun enjoy shake your tail feathers

 

[drumstick diva]

Silkies are very popular with kids but, usually grabbed first by predators. Their vision is obscured by big crests and beards, and wing feathers are not fit for flying. You may want a couple for the kids and to hatch other breed eggs for you, when they go broody.

 

[Foster's Freehold]

Welcome to chicken keeping. Do you know about chicken math yet? If not, you will lol. As far as good all around chickens, Black Australorps are great, good layers, occasionally broody in case you want a hatch, hens are fairly calm at handling and they are long term layers. Buff Orpingtons are about the same, though they do slow down in winter alot. If you have kiddies around, get at least one Easter Egger, they are not very petable mostly, but kids love the colored eggs.