Ordering chickens for a 12 year old boy in 4h

[BeardedLadyFarm]

WOW!

I grew up amongst farming people, a generation removed from a farming family, but wasn't in 4H and didn't have my own chickens until latley.

Let the boy have the chickens he wants! I had no idea there were more masculine chicken breeds than others. That's just plain ridiculous.

 

[crosbygroup]

Our Barred Rock is our friendliest pullet. When she was small she would roost on my sons PS3 remote and help him play video games. How much more boy friendly can you get?

 

[Mahonri]

Polish! White Crested Blues! or Bearded Buff Laced!

 

[City Gardener]

Mypetchicken.com has a breed selector. That could get him started.
I would totally let him do the selection process himself. That's half the fun!

 

[mistyfeather]

how about one of the realy cool looking japaneese ones (i dont remember what there called off the top of my head but mcmurry hatchery had them in ther cataloges) or maby a phenix

those are awsome looking ! and unuiqe

 

[rittert3]

Quail Belgian d'Anver are somewhat less common and from what I heard are pretty freindly and pet like in temperment, no personal experience so I can't say for sure they just came to mind when I read your post.

 

[hcammack]

Faverolles are rare and very docile. They are also good layers! Mine let me handle them even the roosters are easy to handle. You cannot buy them from a hatchery though because no hatchery has quality birds or any bantam faverolles.

Henry

 

[poltroon]

I would set him loose on the Chicken Chart: http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

It's a fabulous resource that gives you size, links to pictures, rarity, temperament, and other qualities. You can maintain a veto over any that have difficult temperaments or special needs, but he can spend a lot of time researching to find out what is important to him.

Is the 4H group ordering as a group? If so, they may already have a source in mind. You'll want to know what your breed choices are.

My daughter is younger, and in 4H. It is much more fun if the bird will be competitive at a show. If the club is just ordering from a random hatchery/feed store, it might be worth the effort to get him a chicken from better bred lines. It doesn't have to be the winner, but you don't want it last every time or DQed. If you're getting chicks, 5 is a good number to give you some to choose from.

When looking at breeds, keep in mind that some varieties are harder to show or get show quality individuals. Colors with a lot of variation, like speckled, will be harder; certain varieties in certain breeds may not tend to be on-type for that breed. Ameraucanas, for example, as lovely as they are, are not a good choice for a show bird unless you have access to a very good breeder. In other breeds, hatchery birds are more likely to be on type, especially in the simpler colors.

Old English Game are lovely birds, but the roosters have to be dubbed to show.

If you want a breed that is unusual for your area, ask the leader to see what is most typically shown. The most popular bantam breeds in our area tend to be the Silkies, Polish, Cochins, OEG, and D'uccles.

 

[lotzahenz]

Hi, You are going to have a very BIG problem, just picking TWO chickies. If you go with Murray McMurry they will only ship 25. Try My Pet Chicken for a smaller order. If he wants to show, they suggest you get at least 5 or 6 of a breed as they will all be slightly different. I'd let him pick, or let him choose 6 of his choice and show what looks the best. Seems like the guys like the game-type chickens pretty well, as they are "cool" If they offer a "meat Pen" in your 4-H group, that is a great way to make some $$ as they are sold at the end of the season and he can get enough money to maybe buy more birds, pay his expenses and hopefully save a bit. Our Livestock club only sells hogs, sheep, goats and steers. A shame for those who don't have access to a farm, but other clubs allow poultry. OH, how to choose only two chicks out of a whole catalog. You may do better trying to get someone to mail you a half dozen purebred chicks from this site, once you decide what breed you like. Or eggs for your broody?

 

[blackdotte]

If he wants to show, and wants to win I would suggest a solid coloured bird, Black or White.
Lots of choice in many breeds from Black Rosecombs to Jersey Giants.
But a word of warning ,get them from a good breeder, not hatchery stock.
Use the breed clubs for contacts, and don't rush into it.
David