New to chickens.

[josiahj1313]

My dad and I are getting our first ever chickens! Any advice would be helpful, I've done lots of reading, but know I still have much to learn. We're leaning towards five chickens, and are hoping for Rhode island reds and barred rocks. I ordered the ranch from chicken saloon (fingers crossed after reading some memebers reviews of them today) and think five chickens is enough for that coop. Any advice is welcome!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Welcome. Visit the learning center above.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Rhode Island Reds tend to be the bullies of a mixed flock.

Manufacturers always fib (over exaggerate) when it comes to telling how many birds can fit in their buildings.

These charts could help you decide on breeds.
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

 

[QueenMisha]

Hello there!

Barred Rocks are great birds, but I would avoid getting any more than one Rhode Island Red. They're very picky in mixed flocks and while some are perfectly nice birds, others can be real jerks. I would suggest New Hampshires or Red Sex Links instead. They lay just as well if not better than RIRs and have much better personalities.

I don't know that I would endorse the coop's statement of 10-15 birds. I would say 10 max, unless you purchase any bantams.

I highly recommend the books "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens" and "Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds." They're excellent guides and I suggest them to all beginners.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

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

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens. Please do visit the Learning Center at top of page. It will answer many questions your have, as well as some you haven't thought of yet.
It's good to join your state thread so folks can advise you on what type of coop, run, etc. you'll need for climate extremes. It's also good to check out the predator section, so you're birds will be as safe as possible from attacks.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. X2 on our Learning Center. There is loads of useful information there. I also agree with QueenMisha about getting sex links instead of RIRs. They are generally better tempered that the RIRs and will outlay them (consistantly churning out more than 300 large, brown eggs per hen per year). I personally prefer the Black Sex Links to the Red Sex Links as my Blacks have been friendlier than my Reds and have actually laid slightly better in really cold winter weather, however you can't go wrong with either sex link variety. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. Cheers.

 

[trailrider330]

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