new to the chicken world

[Hollylou]

Hi I am just getting ready to start a coop and start raising chickens. Any tips ideas or comments tohelp me get started. Like the best laying hens etc???

 

[petrel]

Welcome to BYC and "the chicken world" You are gonna have so much fun!

You've come to the right place to start. I'd recommend taking a look at the breeds section to start your flock selection process. Take your time, there are some really interesting, productive, and beautiful bird options. Henderson's breed chart is a useful resource as well.

 

[TwoCrows]

You might want to do some reading in our learning center. Lots of good reads on building the coop, breeds, raising your new babies, feeding and keeping the flock healthy....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Great to have you aboard and enjoy your new chicken adventures!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2 on the Learning Center and for figuring out what breeds you want, besides the member reviews in the breed section, the Henderson chicken breed chart compares a lot of popular breeds http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html It does depend on what you want hens for, if mostly for eggs and you are going to replace your flock every couple of years when they slow down egg laying, or if you are also looking at them as pets and will keep them long term. If you have weather extremes where you love you will probably want to take comb types into consideration, especially for winter hardiness. If you are looking just at the number of eggs, the various commercial Red Sex Links (they go by different names depending on the hatchery, Red Stars, Golden Comets, ISA Browns etc) for brown eggs, and the White Leghorns for white eggs are probably the most popular choices. Some popular brown egg layers that don't lay quite as well but usually will lay over a longer period of time and are popular starting breeds are Sussex, Wyandottes, Orpintons, Delawares, Australorps and Plymouth Rocks. For white eggs, the various colored Leghorns, Ancona and Minorcas and for a colorful egg basket Easter Eggers / Ameraucana for blue/green eggs and Welsummers or Marans for dark brown eggs.

 

[Branch Chickens]

Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens has been my handbook around this house during this chicken preparation phase.
Also, the forums here on BYC.
MyPetChicken.com is another great resource for getting a quick run-down on individual breeds. That's where I did some of my research before ordering.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Define your needs and choose breeds that will fulfill those needs.

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Welcome to the site! Make sure to check out the Learning Center and ask any question you need to!

 

[cstronks]

Welcome to BYC! Check out the coops page to get ideas about how you will build and design your coop. Depending on your climate and surroundings you may want to add or remove some features. I'm in Northern NJ and I insulate my coop, but somebody in the south would opt not to. Also, great layers are almost always hybrids and sex-links, but there are some great heritage layers too. While they can't keep up perfectly with hybrids, they will lay for much longer periods and have much fewer health problems in comparison. You'll have to do some research and determine which type of bird is best. Good luck to you!

 

[Hollylou]

SO Hybrids and Sex Link chickens are the best is what I have heard from 2 so far. I will research them. I am getting excited to start my coop. I have a design in mind and I got it off of this site. It is Mama Aflecks design that looks like a little house with the front porch and all. I love that one. Thanks for welcoming me a board to everyone.