So Cal getting ready.

[ChickenChaser26]

Hello! I am getting my suburban backyard ready for chickens and hope to have them soon. Few questions.

What is a great breed of egg laying, friendly hen that is a good match for my climate? I live 3 miles from the beach in Southern California (Orange County). 90's in the summer. Very mild winters (if you can call it winter).

What kind of ground cover is chicken friendly? I'm planning on free ranging them while I'm home and want ground cover that's durable, low water needs and safe for chickens.

Again, I am just getting started. I am remodeling the yard and will add 2 hens (coop and run set up) that will free range part time. Any other strategy tips before our girls get here would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

You can first start by doing some reading in our learning center. Lots of helpful tips on keeping your new flock, building the coop, raising the chicks, and keeping your adult flock happy, healthy and safe from predators....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

As for breeds, there are lots of nice breeds out there that are not only great layers, but make great pets as well. The Orpingtons, (Black Australorps and Buff Orpingtons) are very friendly, docile and are very hardy over all. Very good on laying as well. Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Easter Eggers, Silkies, all make great pets and are great on the laying as well. Stop by these two breeds pages. Lots of quick info on the breeds and their attributes...

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf

You can chat with your chicken neighbors in your state thread to see what breeds do best in your area, where they get their supplies and how they do things as well...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/161/california-southern

Chickens will pretty much denude any area you let them free range on in short order. But they are safe in your gardens, (don't let them eat your bulbs...these are toxic) they can free range on the grass and woods areas. They shouldn't be kept long on cement or very hard ground areas. Hard on the feet and legs.

Good luck on this new adventure! If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. Welcome to our flock!

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

I can't add much to TwoCrow's wonderful post. Enjoy your chicken adventures!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[gander007]

Alright

 

[ChickenChaser26]

Thank you all for the great welcoming. I am on here reading and learning and will attempt to do everything I can to ensure that my "flock" of 2 hens (to start) will be healthy and happy. Both as pets and as egg providers. I look forward to many years of entertainment from these ladies. Again, thanks for the great welcoming. See y'all around!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! You've received some good advice from TwoCrows. I would personally recommend Black Australorps and Black Sex Links (Black Stars). Both are very hardy, friendly and calm, and exceptional layers of large, brown eggs. I raised Black Australorps in the northern Sacramento Valley where temperatures frequently reached 117-118 F in the summer (123 F once). I provided them with shade and plenty of fresh water and they did just fine.

 

[drumstick diva]