Shoot me straight! Best advice for a newbie?

[Cortneyb]

If you could advise a newbie who is just starting (like I’m committed to homesteading but just looking to add chickens to the mix), what would your best advice be? I’m in Texas and I am open to free range and caging, and looking for generous egg producers.

 

[black_cat]

Easter eggers! They have beards, come in lots of colors, and lay blue or green eggs. Buff orpingtons are kind of the golden retrievers of the chicken world, and have a good rap with many people. Leghorns are good flyers and are generally a bit more skittish/less cuddly, but they lay LOADS of large white eggs. Cochins are adorable, cuddly floofles, but they go broody rather often. Cream legbars are autosexing so no chance of accidental males, and are quite fun looking as well as blue eggs!

 

[Matejka]

Look for breeds heat hardy. Many breeds do not do good in Texas heat. Austrlorp are from Australia and handle heat well.

 

[black_cat]

https://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx

 

[Djgm]

Beware of Chicken math... however many you "think" you'll have, plan for twice that lol.

 

[black_cat]

 

[Pullet Press]

Beware of Chicken math... however many you "think" you'll have, plan for twice that lol.

Eggs-actly.

 

[black_cat]

Personally I'd like salmon faverolles, but that might just be me trying to live out my dreams through you.

 

[Pullet Press]

Personally I'd like salmon faverolles, but that might just be me trying to live out my dreams through you.

Ha, yeah exactly.

 

[One Lucky Momma]

There are so many wonderful breeds, too many to choose from. Look through Storey’s Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds.

My advice is to get ready way ahead of time. Like now, for chicks in the spring. If you want to raise chicks, that is, and there’s another decision to make... chicks, or pullets, or adults? Hatchery, or are there good birds available locally? And especially read everything you can about housing, before you build or buy.

There’s SO much good information on BYC. Time spent reading, and asking questions, now could save you hours (and $$$) down the road. Good luck!