Through-and-through midwesterner ready to keep backyard chickens!

What breed should I be sure to look for as a first-timer?

  • Polish

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Plymouth Rock

    Votes: 9 60.0%

  • Silky

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Orpington

    Votes: 4 26.7%

  • Something else (please consider leaving a response to my welcome thread with your advice)

    Votes: 2 13.3%
  • Total voters
    15
Pics
Date sort Score sort
Welcome! Wisconsin here..... have a backyard flock of 9, my oldest hen will be 10 in March. She was my first chicken. I opted to go with cold hardy heritage breeds, dual purpose but never intended for meat. I currently have one Golden laced Wyandotte, a Speckled Sussex, two Easter Eggers, two Lavender Marans, a Barred Rock, a Partridge Rock and Scarlet - Black Australorp. All have done well with our weather, have nice personalities and are decent layers ( after age 5 or so steadily decreasing but no one has quit laying for good. I don’t expect eggs from my oldest this year but who knows) Coop does not have electricity but is very sturdy, the girls go outside even in winter. They may stay in the fully roofed run on really bad days but it doesn’t happen very often. Check out some of the breeds, coops etc.... I’m sure you’ll find some inspiration
 
Kudos to you for doing your homework before buying your first chicken. And, for adding chickens as stress relief. I have a small concrete bench positioned so I can watch chickens, ducks and geese in the yard whenever I need a good dose of relaxing entertainment.

I agree with our Wisconsin friend; a sturdy coop with good ventilation shouldn't need additional heat. even in a Midwest winter. I will admit, however, to running cords to the waterers because I can only face breaking so much ice in a day, and I have sheep and goats as well.

As far as breeds go, you probably can't go wrong with the "classic," -- Orpingtons, Plymouth rocks and such. But along with my Orpington, my favorites are my Salmon Faverolles. They are beautiful, docile, friendly and because of their fluffy faces and feathery feet, are a joy to watch.

Best wishes with your future flock, and welcome to BYC!
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.
There are so many great breeds it is hard for me to pin down just one good one! I currently have 9 different breeds in my 11 head flock and will be getting 4 additional breeds this April. I will say that silkies are not stellar layers so if you are looking for good layers I would scratch them off the list.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom