Pre-Chicken Owner on a fact finding mission

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

CURRENT COOP CONTEST click here >>#1

 

[N F C]

Since you're just starting out, why not get a variety of breeds so you can find out which ones you prefer.

Best of luck with all your plans!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at Backyard chickens

 

[JerryR708]

WELCOME to BYC the only forum that makes math fun++

 

[sourland]

Set your goals, study the forums, ask questions, plan, and you will be successful in establishing your flock. Welcome to BYC.

 

[lazy gardener]

Welcome Dennis. I like the advice given by NFC. You also might like to look at Henderson's chicken breeds chart. Other topics for you to look at: deep litter management, Woods open air style coop, cattle panel coops, fermented feed, Mother heating pad cave style brooding.

 

[Larry55]

My Red and Black Sex links are cranking the eggs out even in the cold of this winter. One per day usually. Barred Rocks and Black Austorlorps are good as well. Rhode Island reds are great layers too.

 

[ronott1]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens!

Enjoy your time here with us

 

[ChicKat]

I do not have a coop or even one chicken. The only eggs I have are from Stater Bros. I am doing the research now so I think I can start to be ready when I move to my new place and have the room for poultry.
The breeds I have not picked out yet, but I am leaning to a brown egg producer of around 250 to 300 eggs per year. Is that reasonable?
View attachment 1260414

Hi Dennis,
Not only adding my welcome to you for joining BYC, but saying 'smart move' to study up on chickens and set the criteria you want for the breeds that you choose.

One of the all time best chickens to start with are the so-called production reds. You will get your 300 eggs per year, and they are friendly and easy to handle birds. They are readily available at most feed stores and at Tractor Supply. Your research will probably lead you to discover that there are several 'varieties' of the red sex-links, and there are black sex-links -- both are very good egg layers. My first laying hen was a 'Golden Comet' -- another variety of red sex-link, and she's the one who got me addicted to chickens.

Your avatar picture looks a bit like a Cream Legbar from Greenfire Farms -- GFF - Just checked their website and I see that my recollection dates to around 2013-14 and the website doesn't show the males. You will notice that the bird in your pict has a slight crest at the back of his comb. Legbars are also great chickens - their eggs are blue, blue-green. Mypetchicken.com has Legbars for around $18/chick. The ones at GFF are $29/chick at present.

You will find tons of information on this forum and friendly people who will be happy to help you every step of the way as you get started with chickens.

ETA - forgot to include this chicken selection quiz from MPC
https://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx