Choose birds of the same breed for your first flock, preferably of the same color. Chickens of different breeds have varying levels of aggression and cannibalism, and chickens can and will attack birds that are of a different color than the rest. If you must mix breeds and colors, try to have the same number of each breed and color. Raise them in the brooder together.
Select your first flock from the American class or from British dual purpose type breeds. You want quiet, easily handled birds, so Sussex, Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, Dominiques, and calm/gentle strain Wyandottes are a good place to start. Check with the hatchery about the temperament of RIRs and NHs before ordering; some strains have aggression issues. Jersey Giants are good but they require larger housing. Look for birds characterized as gentle, friendly, non-cannibalistic.
Do not pay attention to people who refer to any of the above as "beginner breeds." The Barred Rock was the most common farm chicken for over one hundred years, and was kept by many generations within families. Obviously, these people had vast experience and chose BRs, Wyandottes, etc. for a valid reason.
Avoid Mediterranean and most Continental breeds until you have some experience. Most are not interested in human companionship, some can fly, and many are noisy and can lead to problems with the neighbors. If you are keeping chickens for pleasure, calm, gentle, and friendly birds are more fun; it is also easier to monitor the condition and health of birds that are friendly and docile.
Avoid feather footed breeds when starting out. They have a greater tendency to mites in their feathers, and require very dry housing to avoid foot and leg problems.
Start with chicks, not eggs. The problem with eggs is that you will wind up with a lot of cockerels that you will then have to dispose of by rehoming or eating.
If your interest is high production of eggs, start with Black Stars or Black Sex Links. They are generally calmer and friendlier and less cannibalistic than most of the other high egg producing strains/breeds/hybrids. Do not mix strains/hybrids/breeds when starting out.
For those concerned about Heritage breeds, Jersey Giants, Javas, Dominiques, Barred Rocks are all heritage, as are Wyandottes and some of the other calmer/friendlier breeds. One can keep heritage chickens without dealing with temperamental, noisy, flighty, cannibalistic, or aggressive chickens.
Do NOT keep a rooster, even if legal. Pullets and hens do not need one to lay; a rooster kept with too few hens will harass them which reduces their tendency to lay, and vicious roosters have been known to blind or disfigure children. Irate hens have also been known to cause severe injuries to children. This is why temperament should be one of the most important factors in choosing your first flock.
Select your first flock from the American class or from British dual purpose type breeds. You want quiet, easily handled birds, so Sussex, Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, Dominiques, and calm/gentle strain Wyandottes are a good place to start. Check with the hatchery about the temperament of RIRs and NHs before ordering; some strains have aggression issues. Jersey Giants are good but they require larger housing. Look for birds characterized as gentle, friendly, non-cannibalistic.
Do not pay attention to people who refer to any of the above as "beginner breeds." The Barred Rock was the most common farm chicken for over one hundred years, and was kept by many generations within families. Obviously, these people had vast experience and chose BRs, Wyandottes, etc. for a valid reason.
Avoid Mediterranean and most Continental breeds until you have some experience. Most are not interested in human companionship, some can fly, and many are noisy and can lead to problems with the neighbors. If you are keeping chickens for pleasure, calm, gentle, and friendly birds are more fun; it is also easier to monitor the condition and health of birds that are friendly and docile.
Avoid feather footed breeds when starting out. They have a greater tendency to mites in their feathers, and require very dry housing to avoid foot and leg problems.
Start with chicks, not eggs. The problem with eggs is that you will wind up with a lot of cockerels that you will then have to dispose of by rehoming or eating.
If your interest is high production of eggs, start with Black Stars or Black Sex Links. They are generally calmer and friendlier and less cannibalistic than most of the other high egg producing strains/breeds/hybrids. Do not mix strains/hybrids/breeds when starting out.
For those concerned about Heritage breeds, Jersey Giants, Javas, Dominiques, Barred Rocks are all heritage, as are Wyandottes and some of the other calmer/friendlier breeds. One can keep heritage chickens without dealing with temperamental, noisy, flighty, cannibalistic, or aggressive chickens.
Do NOT keep a rooster, even if legal. Pullets and hens do not need one to lay; a rooster kept with too few hens will harass them which reduces their tendency to lay, and vicious roosters have been known to blind or disfigure children. Irate hens have also been known to cause severe injuries to children. This is why temperament should be one of the most important factors in choosing your first flock.
