Recommend a breed to a newbie

[mylilchix]

One of each! JK We started with easter eggers (EE), Rhode Island reds (RIR), cochins, and black australorp (BA). They're all very sweet and good layers. Our RIR were our first layers, our BA are very consistent layers, our EE lays very nice XL eggs, and the cochins are good layers that make good mamas. Of course since we got chickens we're now up to 18 different breeds and 53 birds. Good luck!!

Sonja

 

[jrleader99]

If you are looking for only a few chicks, your best bet is to look on your local Craigslist, or stop at a farm/feed store to find out if there are any local breeders that may have chicks of the breeds that you are looking for.

And yes by the way, it is very addicting. I wanted just a few chicks and so far, just this spring, I now have 22 chicks and 7 Indian Runner Ducks. My wife has told me I am to stay away from TSC because they still have chicks.

Good luck.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

Quote:
What TSC do you go to? I go to blairstown and flanders. i agree that it gets addicting. We started off with 4 barred rocks 4 years ago and now we are at 50+ chicks + 7 adult chickens, 6 quail and 12 ducklings

 

[Rhawn]

Excellent call on TSC, they are having a chicken swap tomorrow morning in a nearby town (Powhatan). Dude said they won't have any chicks, but I'm not sure he knew what he was talking about.

 

[Mahonri]

Variety is the spice of life.

5 chickens... go to My Pet Chicken... or your local feed store.

1 Buff orp. very gentle... lay big brown eggs.
1 Cinnamon queen.... almost an egg everyday
1 Easter egger.... gotta loved those colored eggs
1 Black sex link... great layer
1 RIR or 1 pearl white leghorn. either lays well

 

[realmofthewoodsranch]

yep, I'd say go with a sex link if you're set on knowing for 100% that your pullet is a pullet and not a roo. Or get some "started" pullets, which are older and have feathers, but are not old enough to be laying yet.
Plus the sex link crosses are super good layers. I've got golden comets and they rock!

 

[thedeacon]

If I were you, the first thing I would be to find a local supplier, TSC or other stores that would sell just 4-5. Mail orders have minimums and I'm sure you don't want 15-25. Then pick from what the supplier has available. You will grow to love most of the heavy breed birds. Check out the MM site for descriptions.

 

[chandasue]

As far as nutritional value of eggs from chickens allowed to eat grass, weeds and bugs check out Mother Earth News website and do a search there for egg nutrition. They've done many articles on the nutritional benefits to chicken eggs raised where they can forage.

Just to throw in another variety, I have speckled sussex and I think they're great.

 

[Brick243]

I really like my RIR's. They are gentle and easy going. They lay lots of eggs.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Absolutely. No offense meant, but you'll make mistakes and there ARE pitfalls you dont know yet.
It is generally advised to get more than you want to end up with. If you want 5, start with 7; something like that, you know?

If you can get sex-links, then you good assurance of pullets.
If you want the adventure of straight run, get that. Whatever you choose, I'd like to again recommend you stick to one breed for now.
Avoid the menagerie effect and learn to manage one group, first. A single breed will aid that by offering consistency of results. You can go crazy with a mixed and rag-tag flock next season.