Trying to decide on breed for son

[andreacbs]

My favorite hen is a black star, also known as a sex-linked. She lays large round brown eggs. Next month she'll be 4 years old and still going. Sweetest best temperament, near the top of the pecking order. The others completely respect her but I don't see her bullying, it's all about the confidence that she shows. And she's very verbal, sounds like she's playing her little trumpet much of the time and she giggles happy sounds when I touch, hold, and pet her. I would also recommend my breed of rooster buff orpington, he watches out for his girls and I believe would lay his life down for them. I have handled him along the way. He doesn't like it when I grab him at first, but then he's so sweet and just settles in and falls asleep in my arms. They free range part of the day and he gives his girls verbal warning signals and directs them. He's huge though!

 

[Pukkits]

I'm adding another vote for Orpingtons. We used to mix our flocks, but we've since decided to just get Orpingtons due to their sweet nature. We live in the high desert, temperatures go from -4F to 100F+ and they have done fine with a well insulated, ventilated house. We've found them to be good layers. We planned to get more buff Orpingtons this year, but in our area there's a lot of competition for chicks so we got the first Orpingtons we could find which turned out to be lavender (soft gray) and chocolate (dark brown), so it looks like getting fancy colors has gotten easier. Our current adult hens love if someone comes and sits in a lawn chair with them. Lucia likes to sit in laps.

There are chickens that are more efficient, but we've found the joy of Orpington silliness making us laugh has made them our chicken breed of choice.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm the odd voice here, I do NOT recommend Orpingtons. They can be very broody, and while brooding and raising chicks they are not laying at all. This, and molting plus winter, can take them out of production for 6 to 9 months of the year.

I do recommend Easter Eggers, Dominiques (look like Barred Rocks, but with the small comb they are not prone to frostbite) and Sapphire Gems for brown eggs, and Prairie Bluebell Eggers for beautiful blue eggs. All, in my experience, are calm and productive.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[MSRider]

So my 14 year old son wants to get into chickens. I have previously had chickens myself (quite a few years back). However I wanted outside opinions on what species to get him. (And yes he will be monitored. Yes I will take over if he loses intrest. I love chickens as well. He also has done well caring for his hamster who is almost 3 years old)

What he is looking for



1. High egg production. Preferably larger eggs and a breed with a longer laying duration.

2. On the mellow side. Yes we will be getting a roo. I do not belive in having chickens without one. He loves to socialize with chickens. (He occasionally helps someone else with their flock).

3. Not overly large

4. Not a need but pretty colored (multi colored) feathers are a bonus.

I've had good success with Spotted Sussex hens. Good layers and friendly. Orpington

So my 14 year old son wants to get into chickens. I have previously had chickens myself (quite a few years back). However I wanted outside opinions on what species to get him. (And yes he will be monitored. Yes I will take over if he loses intrest. I love chickens as well. He also has done well caring for his hamster who is almost 3 years old)

What he is looking for



1. High egg production. Preferably larger eggs and a breed with a longer laying duration.

2. On the mellow side. Yes we will be getting a roo. I do not belive in having chickens without one. He loves to socialize with chickens. (He occasionally helps someone else with their flock).

3. Not overly large

4. Not a need but pretty colored (multi colored) feathers are a bonus.

The Speckled Sussex are a pretty chicken and good layers. They are also friendly. The Buff Orpington is a sturdy chicken with really nice feathers. Again, this is a friendly chicken. For production, the Red Star chicken lays over 300 eggs a year and are early developers. However, they are not a breed but a hybrid. Good luck with your flock.

 

[Bonnieboo]

Hamburg's are beautiful too. A small breed but good layers in my experience. They also have an amazing tails!