picking out a flock

[Arman]

i am planning on building a chicken coop and run in my back yard this summer, but i am not sure what breed of chicken to get. i am going to have a small coop with about three four chickens, and i would prefer them to be nice, quiet, good layers, and not fly about a lot. i was thinking of three different breeds right now; cochins, silkies, and RIRs. wat do you think would be the best? could i keep all three types together? or is it better to only get one breed? i would appreciate any input in the matter

 

[KattyKillFish]

you sure can keep all three types together! if i was in your position i would get one of each

silkies are the best tempered of all mentioned, too. they take confinement well and can't fly very well. i would be a little skeptical a bout keeping a bantam with RIR's. but there is a bantam variety of RIR. my aunt even has some bantam sized barred rocks and they are adorable!

you will just love raising chickens! they really are great pets!

 

[kyeschicks]

yes you can get one of each!

 

[Mahonri]

If I could only have four.

Buff Orpington, Cinnamon Queen, Black Star and true Ameraucana.

 

[Arman]

Also are these chickens hardy in cold weather? because i live in seattle and it can get pretty cold here. Also would a buff orpington be a better layer than a cochin?

 

[Chicken03]

RIR's would be a good choice. They lay lots of eggs and are quiet.

 

[gritsar]

Buff orp. would probably be a better layer than the cochin; larger eggs too.
As adorable as silkies are, they are not good layers. They go broody alot and a chicken that is broody is not laying eggs. Plus, if you only have hens the broody silkie will be sitting on infertile eggs. You'll spend about half your time breaking her of her broodiness.
In case you haven't already seen it, here's the link to Henderson's Chicken Chart, to help you decide on breeds:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

 

[cmom]

It's difficult to say what you should get for breeds. If you asked a lot different people you would probably get many different answers. Some may agree on the breeds. Also do you want dual purpose or just good egg layers. Here is a great reference book, Gail Damerow's 'Storey's Guide to Chickens' is an excellent resource, as well as this web site which is an excellent source of information.

These sites are especially helpful in selecting breeds.
http://www.mypetchicken.com/breedQuestions.aspx
Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html

Also here are some other good sites and info and more good links.
http://www.mypetchicken.com/aboutChickens.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/lcenter.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

 

[Arman]

i just wanted good layers, i am not at all interested in their meat. but i did want them to be friendly. also i was planning on using them to weed my garden in early to mid spring

 

[melissastraka]

Hi, i am in WA also. I am on the coast and i found with our winters my Orps, RIR and BR did the best. They have layed everday through the winter and the RIR are super layers anyways. I love my Orps! they are sweet and are just happy to see you every morning. My BR has a "personality" she isnt mean but avoids me unless i have treats. If you need anything else you can PM me.