Suggestions for breeds

[Garlydog]

Hi Everyone,

We don't have any chickens yet. Mrs. GD and I are getting started on building the coop. We intend to be ready by next Spring.

Neither of us has any experience with chickens, or birds of any kind. I was hoping some of you may have some suggestions on the types of chickens that would be suitable for us.

We live in Northern Illinois, so the Winters here can be harsh.
We would like to collect 1 - 2 dozen eggs per week.
We are new. Docile chickens might be in order.

Any thoughts?

Thanks for your help.

Gary

 

[becky3086]

EE's, welsummers, or mutts--One to two dozen hens.

 

[snowhorse]

Im pretty new to this whole thing too. And Ill tell you that this forum is wonderful!

I have done alot of research and was looking for similar type birds that you were. I live in New England, so our winters can be pretty harsh too.

Easter Eggers are a great breed, they are great layers, about 4 per week, and have very colorful eggs, ranging from green, to blue to pink. So thats fun and they are hardy in the winter. I was sold Ameracuana's which doing more and more research I think are Easter Eggers, a real Ameracuana is rare I guess.

I have a Golden Cochin which is especially docile and friendly, probably the friendliest of the birds I have. Not a great layer around 2 per week, but hardy in winter and very pretty.

I have also been told by many people that Orpingtons are a great breed as well, very docile, alot of people that have children buy them, and they are good layers are about 3 per week. I have 3 Buff Orpington and love them!


Mypetchicken.com has a great little breed selector based on some questions you answer. It doesnt have all the breeds by any means, but will give you a good idea. Here is the link:

http://www.mypetchicken.com/breedQuestions.aspx

I have quite a few different kinds as you can see, but I just love how many different breeds and looks there are. You will find what you like Im sure, just do some research, you'd be amazed at how much information is out there.

 

[steve2495]

just wanted to say hello neighbor!!

i keep banty cochins the eggs are small but they make up for it from my two hens i get 14 eggs A week!! they r unbeliavable! they also do great in the cold winters and fine on the summers

eta they r super sweet!! i love em they r great moms too

 

[Judy]

5 or 6 chickens should give you about 3 to 5 eggs a day. Chances are you will want to buy the chicks locally rather than have them shipped, unless you decide on some exotic breed. The advantage of that is that the birds have recovered from shipping stress, and you can hand pick the larger and stronger looking ones. Check around for feed stores or farm supply stores in your area; you should be able to find out who will have baby chicks. Sometimes they will let you order what breed you want, and sometimes you will have to choose from what they decide to order. You should be able to find out what they got this spring; probably won't be that different. And don't expect the employees to be knowledgeable about chickens; often, they are not.

You could also look into buying older birds such as started pullets, especially if there is a good breeder near you, who will also probably sell chicks at least part of the year. You should be able to find out who is close by on BYC, if there is anyone. If you can find one, that would be an ideal source, as the quality of their birds is better than hatchery birds, which is what the feed stores will sell. Most of us have hatchery birds, though, including me; nothing wrong with that.

Do check out that My Pet Chicken breed selector. And here is a link that gives a lot of info on the various breeds, including cold hardiness:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

Leghorns are the classic egg chicken but they are NOT docile, they are usually flighty, run from people, and do not like to be handled. And there will be times you will need to handle them. My preference is for the dual purpose heavy breeds, such as Orpington, Australorp, New Hampshire Reds, Dominiques, and Barred Rocks; the first two are particularly docile, and all are good layers (meaning about 6 eggs per week rather than one or two.) There are breeds like Cochins which tend to be docile but don't lay so well, and also tend to go broody. You will want to avoid the more broody breeds if this is only for eggs, as broodiness stops them from laying and is often rough on their health. On the other hand, a good broody is a great way to incubate eggs and raise more chicks, from your flock or elsewhere.

Good luck, and have fun!

 

[allaboutdemchicks]

BYC is working on a Breed Chart that you might find handy!!

Here is your link:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/breeds/breed-chart

Perhaps someone near you can assist in finding whatever breed you choose. There are several members in your area. Good luck!

Claudia

 

[Pathfinders]

My favorite large fowl breed is the Buckeye, (and they also come in bantam.) I like Buckeyes so much that I recently started a fully fledged breed club for them, the American Buckeye Poultry Club:

http://www.americanbuckeyepoultryclub.com

They are a nice dual purpose bird. They lay a good amount of medium sized brown eggs. They forage very well (even hunt mice!), get along with each other and humans (not flighty, almost too friendly, underfoot a lot!), and the extra males, with their wide breasts, dress out nicely.

They are the only breed of American chicken created by a woman (yay!), and the only American breed with a pea comb, which means no frostbite in winter (unless you live in Saskatoon or someplace like that.) They tolerate heat and cold well, some will go broody (if you prefer them to raise their own babies) but are not excessively so, and are just an all around perfect farm chicken, IMO.

I have some pics of Buckeyes on my website:

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/services

And you can see a great website devoted to the breed by a member of the ABPC here:

http://www.buckeyechickens.com

Let me know if I can answer any more questions about them.

 

[pdsavage]

Sussex
Plus the Speckled Sussex look realy pretty in any flock....

Characteristics
The Sussex chicken is an alert, docile breed that can adapt to any surrounding, they are comfortable in both free range or confined spaces.
Eggs
The Sussex was bred to be a dual purpose bird and is one of the most productive breeds of poultry. They lay large eggs that are cream to light brown in colour. A person owning a member of this breed should expect approximately 240 to 260 eggs a year, although the light and white varieties are the best choice for layers.

 

[cybercat]

For varity EE all the way. They will meet all your needs and have lots of color. If you want a pure breed wyandottes would be my next choise. They come in lots of colors too. Stay with rose and pea comb chickens because of your winters.