NW lady who wants to get some chickens

[AmberHoff]

I live in Portland OR and want to get some chickens. I looks like the hardest part is finding and setting up a coop. So doing research in that arena at the moment. Once I have a coop will get 2-3 pullets. Have a toddler so need a breed good with kids, easy to care for and lays eggs. A dual breed would be my preference as we do eat chicken.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

First you may want to do some reading in our learning center here on BYC for lots of great reads on all the aspects of keeping poultry...

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

Check out our coops pages as well to get an idea on what type of coop will suit your needs...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coops

As for breeds, lots of great breeds out there that are great layers, friendly, docile and great with the kids. I am fond of the Orpington breeds. They are all I keep. Very friendly birds, and great lap birds too. I can't sit anywhere outside without a chicken begging to sit on my lap!

Here are 2 external breeds pages that may give you some ideas and contain a lot of quick info....

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

http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf

And finally you might want to chat with others in your state thread as to where they get their birds, how they deal with the climate, predators, etc...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/48/oregon

This should get you started. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Welcome to our flock and enjoy all your new adventures!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Best to start with a minimum of 3. That way if something happens to one the others still have companionship.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your chicken project! TwoCrows has you set up with some great links to check through. When you have narrowed down your breed choices, also check out the BYC Breeds section, there are lots of member reviews of most of the popular breeds. X2 The Orpingtons are a good kid friendly breed, Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks, Delawares and Sussex are a couple more you might want to look at.

 

[Duckopolis]

Good luck with picking out your chickens, and I hope you find everything you need to know! Glad to have you with us. Don't forget to take a look at BYC's very useful learning center (If you haven't already)! It is the best place to go for advice!
You may want to look at a breed comparison sheet to help you decide what to get.

 

[gander007]

BYC has a Buy-Sell-Trade Forum but you need 20 post
to use that option but if you want to go that way just
go to the New Members Introductions and say hello to
20 new people and that should not be all that hard and
then you will have opened up the Buy-Sell-Trade and you
just might find some one in your area selling some birds ..