Soon to be new chick owners! Need advice......

[Willow's Meadow]

Well the breeds you have listed are great egg layers but their temperments are not the greatest. Like the leghorns are a flighty breed which mean they will get scared more easily, aren't the best around little kids, are not extremly calm (like they won't just sit in you lap) but they are great egg layers. But breeds like Buff Orpingtond are GREAT egg layers and they are extremly calm, friendly and quiet breeds.

 

[Coldweatherbirds]

If you are new to this I would suggest cold hardy and docile layers. I would go with New Hampshire Reds, Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orps or Barred Rocks. Australorps are pretty cold hardy too. My one leghorn is the only one that got frostbite this winter. (We hit -20 for a few days in a row and even with the heat lamp it was below freezing in the coop). I've had success with Speckled Sussex also if you want a pretty breed, but they lay less than one of the Reds. As a fellow winter person, I second whoever suggest the large coop. They really need it or will start to pick each other to pieces when confined for the long dark months.

My free-range chickens ignore the wild turkeys that come to eat their corn. They squawk their alarm cry when the turkeys first arrive, then settle down and mutually ignore each other. I do worry about the turkeys catching something from my hens because I've heard chickens carry diseases that can wipe out turkey flocks.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
All of the breed names I have marked in BOLD text are good layers. Of those, the underlined breeds are what I would want to raise. I just like colorful flocks....

 

[annaraven]

Whereabouts in MN are you? I'm from Mpls. (South Mpls, but living now in Silicon Valley.)

I heartily agree with the Buff Orpington recommendation. Do get birds that are cold-hardy. The Leghorns are mediterranean birds and may not be as hardy - otoh, my light brown leghorn has *great* yolks in her eggs.

Good luck! And make sure you create a good safe run for them to be in when you can't let them freerange. Raccoons and other critters love to feast on chicken.

 

[FutureHomesteader]

I got Rhode island reds, Barred rocks, and New Hampshires. Since I'm in New England it made sence to get breeds that originated here.