Newbie, wondering about breeds :)

[GellyBeans]

Hi all!
Im new BYC, and chickens in general. I actually just posted for the first time in new introductions.
Ive been reading the forums for a few months (And am quite proud to say I now know there are more breeds than Rhode Island Reds and "white ones", lol), and have a few questions about breeds.
Im looking for good laying hens, with docile, friendly temperaments. Ive read quite a few posts where memebers have asked similar questions, but none that have fit my situation really.
Im a stay at home mom of five, wonderful, children, ranging in ages from 3 1/2 to 12yrs old. I go through alot of eggs. A LOT! Did I mention theres five of them?
I need hens that will not be terrified of my kids (skittish, anxious ladies will not do), so they can look learn to help with the chickens, and gather eggs etc.
They are kids, and although they are all, for the most part, calm gentle wee ones...to them, chickens will be pets that just happen to supply breakfast.
And I, other than chicks at the petting zoo, have zero experience. Which is why im here!
As I said in my introduction post, I dislike jumping into anything without knowledge.

Any and all help, is so greatly appreciated!

G

 

[SueT]

Hi! My granddaughter, now 5, loves her 3 sex-link hens. There are 2 red and one black. They let her lug them around, even take them on the slide, they are so are incredibly tame. And it is rare to get less than 3 eggs a day from the 3.
Anyway, good luck, let us know what you get!

 

[mixedbreeds]

I have golden sexlinks tame as can be large eggs from everyone of them every day.

 

[GellyBeans]

Thank you both for the suggestions and comments!
Ill look into the sex-links! I know our local feed store carries both the red & black sex linked, barred plymouth rocks, leghorns and sussex (? Might be wrong on the last one there, im not certain).
Im in Ontario, Canada. There does not appear to be many breeders in my area, but I have found one, who breeds Gold Laced Wyandottes. So I dont believe I have too many options.
There are alot of people on Kijiji selling chicks, everything from Amerucanas to Bantam D'uccle & Bantam Cochin (ive not even googled those yet) ...but im not sure if buying off of Kijiji (similar to Craigslist, if you dont have Kijiji in the US) is a safe option?
I will, first and foremost, find out everything I can about the sex-links, since I know those are definitely available!

 

[HenHouse4Life]

Welcome to the chicken world! While there are many wonderful breeds I always suggest Buff Orpingtons for a starter chicken. They are standard size, docile and loving and are cold hardy. My 8 year old niece can pick them up and carry them around and when my grandson begins to walk I will have no problem allowing him into the coop. For a bantam size chicken I prefer silkies. They are wonderful with kids also.
Best wishes to you in your new adventures!

 

[lazy gardener]

For pet quality birds I suggest that you NOT get sex links or hatchery hybrids. While they are prolific layers, they tend to burn out after a season or two and succumb to reproductive illness. IMO,you would be better off with pure breds or even barn yard mix. Putting your general location in your profile will help us to give you accurate information. Some birds do better in the south, while others do better in colder climates.

Do you ever intend to hatch your own chicks? That will affect your breed choice. If you do not envision that happening, you would do well to choose breeds not noted for broodiness. Since you have young children, I suggest you NOT get a rooster!

How many eggs does your family eat per week? Would you rather have extra eggs to sell in the summer, or have just enough for your summer needs, in which case you will need to buy eggs in the winter, while at the same time feeding your flock while they take their winter break? During peak production, plan on 5 eggs/week/bird. Your breed choice will affect your productivity rate. Realize that your birds will decrease productivity after their first season. So you will need to decide whether you will bring in young birds every year or two, or never replace the original ones, in which case you will soon be running a retirement home for free loading chickens. That can get expensive when you are buying feed every month, but not getting any eggs to offset it.

 

[GellyBeans]

Thank you both for the replies!
lclark - I will research Buff Orpingtons! Thank you!
lazy gardener - Thank you! Thats a lot to think about. I believe I fixed my profile to show my area and zone?
I knew chickens slowed dow for producing after 3yrs old...I dont however want to wear the poor things out, or have chickens with reproductive illnesses if I can avoid it. So thank you for that heads up! As I said my options on breeds seem to be limited, but that could be because im looking in the wrong places

I cannot see myself hatching eggs, as im fairly certain you need a rooster for that, and I agree with you, Roosters and small kids dont mix well. I know quite a few people have found Roosters that arent aggressive, but I think that may be more that particular roosters personality than a breed thing? Thatd be a lot of hit and miss for someone who doesnt know yet, what theyre doing.

As for eggs, we go through about 2 1/2 dozen per week. Sometimes more. Id be fine, just having enough eggs to do us throughout the warm seasons, and having them take a break over winter months. Ive read articles on "Have your chickens lay year round!" etc. But that cannot be healthy for them.
The bringing in new birds every year vs a feathery retirement home is a difficult decision. Id love to just bring in new birds, and let the older ladies live out their lives comfortably, but I need to keep a small flock. I dont think I could cull them. But then what in the world do I do with them?! The moral dilemmas in that are deep, for me.
Watch, in 5 yrs ill have 20 chickens, half that dont lay eggs, and my neighbour's will hate me. So will my bank account.

 

[Treerooted]

Hi there! I just moved from Peterborough and there is a very active chicken group on facebook if you're interested in finding some local chickens.
And if you're willing to make the drive to Prince edward country you can order from the hatchery there which is where I've gotten my chicks.

I have different goals then you so my experience may not be useful, but I'll let you know what I've got going on since I'm in your area (kingston now).
I've got 12 layers, all dual purpose breeds that are laying 8-9 eggs a day right now (so about 5 doz/week - I sell some). I've got a small farm and we cull our birds for meat ourselves which takes care of that dilemma.
My friendliest birds by far are my Speckled Sussex.
I have a toddler and interaction with the chickens has always been good.
The other breeds I have are Australorp, Brahmas, Barnvelders, Wyandottes (one silver one gold).
If you look them up you'll see they are all hardy birds, as I need to them to be good foragers that can withstand our winters! They're large heavy breeds as well (dual purpose) so that they will be decent meat birds for us.

You can consider breeds that are more specific to laying, but I would still say that the Speckled Sussex and Barred Rocks would be good choices for you.
Take a look at this chart to do some comparison "shopping":
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html