Starting A Flock

[Farmington]

Hey, all this is my first attempt at keeping chickens. I want to build a small laying flock, approx. 8 to 12 birds. I'm in Northeast Ohio, and winters can get cold and snowy, and the summers can get warm and humid. I was leaning towards Wyandottes, Orpingtons, and whatever type of EE, Ameraucana, or Araucana mix, or pure bred I can get from the hatchery. Are these good breeds for my area? Any other suggestions? I know this could be like asking a dog owner "which breed is best", a real can of worms, but practically speaking, overall, are these good breeds for what I want to do? Thanks, all.

 

[FlashPointFarm]

I think you've picked a nice bunch of breeds. Sounds like your weather matches Iowa weather, and my Wyandottes are my best layers in the winter. I don't have any Orps, but a lot of people around here do and love them. And EE's, you can't go wrong with them!

 

[Ridgerunner]

It may be best not to overthink it, but sometimes I'm an enabler. The My Pet Chickens link is a breed selection tool that might help point you to breeds you will like. The other two links give information about chicken breeds.

If you want an egg-laying flock, leghorns are egg laying machines. The sex-links also do well. With your interest in the blue and green eggs, it sounds like you may want more than just eggs, however.

The breeds you mentioned would be great. I'd throw in the Australorp, Sussex, Delaware, any of the Rocks, Dominique, and Buckeye as all worthy of consideration.

Feathersite
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html


The Henderson chart
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

My Pet Chickens
http://www.mypetchicken.com/breedQuestions.aspx

 

[Ewe Mama2]

Welcome, Farmington! I'm another NE Ohioan (Oberlin) and your choices sound fine. We have Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Barnevelders, Australorps, Rocks, Brahmas, and a couple Sussex. They have all done fine so far, but we have them in a well-insulated barn. What kind of housing have you planned out for them?

Good luck!