Recommend a breed to a newbie

[SusanH]

This is my first spring with chicks and I went with RIR from the local Tractor Supply. I first wanted 6 hens, then thought we should get a couple extra in case they died and since TSC makes you buy them in lots of 6, we ended up with an even dozen.

I love them! They are really healthy birds, and I didn't lose a single one. They are friendly and followed me around like a puppy when they were smaller and even though they are more interested in all the things in our yard, I can sit down and a couple of them always fly up and sit on my leg for me to pet them.

I stuck with one breed so that I could learn to manage them. Later I may branch out to Buff Orpingtons, but right now, we have all we can handle. They are almost 7 weeks old now.

Good luck on your choice and enjoy your new adventure!

 

[ams3651]

I love my Easter Eggers, they seem more intelligent than my RIR, lay every day and lay nice blueish green eggs. By the way, pasture raised eggs are lower in cholesterol, there is an article on Mother Earth News website they did a study.

 

[walkswithdog]

Ditto the one breed thing. I like the Plymouth Rocks. I started with partridge but have branched out into other breeds and colors this time. Managing a small group of one breed helps you get to know what's normal.

After that you can go insane like the rest of us.

 

[amamaofmany]

We got a real mixed bag for our first pullets. I got a lot of recommendations here when I asked and I decided to go with one or two of each kind. I figured that if one breed didn't work out too well, another would and I could see what I liked among the ones I chose.

I've not been disappointed at all with any of them. I have to say our most friendly bird is the Speckled Sussex - Sally knows her name and spends most of my time visiting the coop wanting to perch on my arm or to be held a bit. The Australorps and Black sexlinks have attached themselves to various of my other children and go to their chosen child for a bit of affection. None of the chickens I've got are the least bit aggressive (you can see the list that we got under my signature).

Since none have started laying yet, I can't comment on that part of our chicken adventure, but we've been very happy with the assortment of pullets we've gotten so far. I rather like all the color in our little flock!

 

[Becky_H]

My suggestion would be sex links, of whatever color you prefer. They're AWESOME layers, they're medium sized, I've never met one that wasn't sweet -- and getting them will make darn sure you avoid problems with ending up with a rooster (or more) to 'deal with', which would be no fun at all for you or the kids.

 

[aidenbaby]

I like variety but have limited space (at this point in time

) so we have 6. We have 2 easter eggers, 1 dominique, 1 salmon faverolle, 1 delaware and 1 wild blue andalusian (I think she's just REALLY hand-shy). I'm expecting 2 whitish/creamy egg layers, 2 brown egg layers and 2 greenish egg layers. I can't wait!

 

[1birdlady]

We have 4 Barred Rocks that are now about 8 weeks old. They went out in their "Barred Rock Cafe" this week, and so far so good. It is, as far as we can make it, predator proof. Temps are in the high 80's/low 90's daytime and 70's at night. They still pile up in a corner tho, at night, tho they have 2 carriers to settle down in...nest boxes are still in their near term future.

We have them as egg layers/pets, and as such, we try to pet/hold them every day and they are very responsive, tho each have their own distinct personalities....(yeah, they REALLY do!) They are very docile birds all in all.

We have read that they are good "all purpose" birds, and time will tell. We don't expect any eggs til September/October perhaps, but that's fine.

Right now, we're just enjoying their antics and growth is amazing...they're already getting "poofy bloomers" at top of their legs...so cute!

Since these are "backyard chickens" (in the true sense of the word) we cannot have more than these 4, and NO roos). (And hope no one complains!)

 

[felidaet]

I am new to chickens this year and can not speak about egg laying yet. My chicks are now 5 - 6 weeks old. I am uncertain why some people are recommending one breed. When I was asking the same question a few months ago most people recommended a variety of breeds if this is what I desired (which I did). I have 18 chicks and they are 11 different breeds. I am very happy with them so far. You can see what I have at the bottom of this post.

My friendliest bird by far is a Gold Comet. Too bad I don't have a couple more of these. My Easter Eggers and Barred Rocks are the next friendliest. My Speckled Sussex is probably the least friendliest. The biggest surprise is the white Leghorn. I have seen many posts that these are flighty and not friendly. Mine is friendly and comes to me to be held. It seems that her and the Gold Comet are "buddies". They are almost always together and usually come to me at the same time for attention. After reading the posts about Leghorns, I made an extra effort to hold this one more than all of the others the first couple of weeks I had it. This may have paid off. I did not hold the Buff Orpington much the first couple of weeks because I heard they are so friendly. Mine is not very friendly. Maybe she will get better as she gets older.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Because some of us are practical natured. We tend to prefer consistent results, with common features. We view chickens as more than 'yard confetti' or a 'feathered aquarium'. We have a particular result in mind.

A mixed bag of birds, while appealing to some people's need for "variety," can spoil this when ill chosen. They can breed with some rather odd, if not disastrous, outcomes and each bird can have varied needs. These may not be met when you have a chicken circus running amok.

Most of this is based on some older notions of sefl-sustainability on the farm. A common breed, well tended, makes for predictable outcomes, a must when your food and perhaps income hinges on your efforts. In the hobby flock, kept more for entertainment and diversion than utility, this may not matter so much.

But for a newcomer, what is wanted is predictable results, so the chicken keeper can learn the common rules. If you've never had this from a like breed, the benefit can be easily overlooked.

 

[walkswithdog]

I, like Davaroo, need results. In my area people like brown eggs of consistent size and nature. I like very predictable rate of lay. I like being able to sell purebred chicks or eggs if I choose. Different breeds often prefer different housing, roosting and shelter/cover issues.

Different breeds are better and worse at literal free ranging. And these have nine acres.

So I have a base flock of Plymouth Rocks, Dels I want to use to increase size and for themselves and some I'm rearing for broodies.

Both Rocks and Dels are wicked foragers - very durable, good, base, dual-purpose breeds. Especially from the better breeders. They're popular to sell as chicks to others locally and what sells in each area is VERY different.

I'll be bringing in dark brahmas because lights are popular but I think I can get a market going for the rarer darks.

To each his own. Part of it does depend on your goals. This is part business, part joy. Not many people are working on heritage partridge rocks. So it's what I do.

I get so many eggs I have to sell and give away some and feed lots to the dogs. Which they love.

By adding one breed at a time, I've gotten a better at making the adjustments I find each need. Delawares FLY. Requiring higher fencing. Sizzles liked different roosting and nesting.

It's all been an adventure and you'll eventually sort out which breeds really float your boat.