Newbie here...Hello all!

[Dancingwinde]

Hi all!

I'm new here. I live in Connecticut, in the Northwest corner. My 9 year old son joined 4H this year, so we are in the process of getting a coop and some chickens! We're looking to start with 3 Bantam Pullets, all hens (no need to start off with neighbor wars!). We would like a Buff Orpington, a Silver or Gold Penciled Rock or Columbian Rock, and a Columbian Wyandotte or Buff Laced Wyandotte. I'm having a heck of a time finding local breeders to get pullets from. I'd prefer them to be show quality since my son will be showing for 4H. Hatcheries are kind of out of the question because they only sell chicks and large minimums. And I'd rather let my son pick the pullet out himself in person.

I sure would appreciate some guidance on that.

Nice to meet you all.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Welcome in!

Just to make sure I'm clear, you said you'd like bantam pullets. The 3 breeds you listed are normally considered large fowl. Are you looking for bantam versions of those breeds? I have seen bantam Buff Orpingtons via online hatcheries, but they're not super common.

 

[Dancingwinde]

That is correct. My son is on the spectrum and loves the smaller ones. Large Fowl intimidate him a bit. These are the breeds he picked....of course lol. I want to keep it to docile, people loving lap chickens. More pets than anything. Currently building the chicken Hilton for them.

 

[thecatumbrella]

That is correct. My son is on the spectrum and loves the smaller ones. Large Fowl intimidate him a bit. These are the breeds he picked....of course lol. I want to keep it to docile, people loving lap chickens. More pets than anything. Currently building the chicken Hilton for them.

That's understandable!

If you're having trouble sourcing the bantam versions of those breeds, see if he has any interest in either Silkies or d'Uccles. Silkies tend to be incredibly docile. I don't know if they'll be cuddly, per say, but he should be able to handle them easily for 4H. And my d'Uccle was an absolute velcro bird, even as a chick. They are visually stunning, winter hardy, and teeny tiny. I was able to secure her in one hand, and I'm pretty small myself.

Best of luck on your chicken journey! Post anytime with questions or just to share photos.

 

[Dancingwinde]

That's understandable!

If you're having trouble sourcing the bantam versions of those breeds, see if he has any interest in either Silkies or d'Uccles. Silkies tend to be incredibly docile. I don't know if they'll be cuddly, per say, but he should be able to handle them easily for 4H. And my d'Uccle was an absolute velcro bird, even as a chick. They are visually stunning, winter hardy, and teeny tiny. I was able to secure her in one hand, and I'm pretty small myself.

Best of luck on your chicken journey! Post anytime with questions or just to share photos.

Thank you! he loves those breeds, but we are in Connecticut with brutally hold and long winters. I had the understanding feathery feet and heads weren't good in cold?

 

[thecatumbrella]

Thank you! he loves those breeds, but we are in Connecticut with brutally hold and long winters. I had the understanding feathery feet and heads weren't good in cold?

Ideally, they have a dry, weather protected coop and run, with safe supplemental heating (as needed) such as heat plates or a sweeter heater. To be fair, these are things I would have for any flock. This recent storm is a good example of how it's better to be over-prepared for any circumstance!

Feather feet can be more of a maintenance issue overall. Had one get her foot crusted in poo. It also makes them a bit more prone to scaly leg mites, but I see plenty of clean-legged chickens with scaly leg mites on BYC.

@Debbie292d successfully keeps Silkies in Wisconsin, and I know someone with a flock full of d'Uccles in Canada!

Just something to consider.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

I breed and raise show-quality Silkies here in Wisconsin. 4-H'ers and state fair show participants come for chicks starting in a couple of weeks.

Many prefer roosters, but apart from some of mine that are sex-linked, we can't sex Silkies until they're about four months old. So if chicks, they'll buy six to be sure they get one or two they can show.

How I find out who wants them is mostly from Facebook poultry groups for my area/state. This year, I have four orders already and haven't hatched anything yet. The other place I get a few orders from is Poultry Show Central. I have a listing in there. You might want to check there too.

We're glad you're here!

 

[Dancingwinde]

Ideally, they have a dry, weather protected coop and run, with safe supplemental heating (as needed) such as heat plates or a sweeter heater. To be fair, these are things I would have for any flock. This recent storm is a good example of how it's better to be over-prepared for any circumstance!

Feather feet can be more of a maintenance issue overall. Had one get her foot crusted in poo. It also makes them a bit more prone to scaly leg mites, but I see plenty of clean-legged chickens with scaly leg mites on BYC.

@Debbie292d successfully keeps Silkies in Wisconsin, and I know someone with a flock full of d'Uccles in Canada!

Just something to consider.

Thank you!

 

[Dancingwinde]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

I breed and raise show-quality Silkies here in Wisconsin. 4-H'ers and state fair show participants come for chicks starting in a couple of weeks.

Many prefer roosters, but apart from some of mine that are sex-linked, we can't sex Silkies until they're about four months old. So if chicks, they'll buy six to be sure they get one or two they can show.

How I find out who wants them is mostly from Facebook poultry groups for my area/state. This year, I have four orders already and haven't hatched anything yet. The other place I get a few orders from is Poultry Show Central. I have a listing in there. You might want to check there too.

We're glad you're here!

Much appreciated. Really just need to find local breeders that are within reasonable driving distance. That may determine breeds more than anything!

 

[BoundlessLove]

Welcome to BYC!
Check with your local extension office. Maybe they know of small hobby farms in your area.
Other than the advice you have already been given, this is all I got.