Urban farmer looking to add some backyard laying hens

[DLMKA]

Hi all, found this place today looking for chicken coop ideas. Looks like a fantastic place to learn about raising chickens and all the different breeds. We live in East Peoria, IL my GF and I have 4 kids between the two of us. I was laid off for the better part of the past year and really focused on gardening and preserving as much produce we could. Gardening turned into self sufficiency and now we bake most of our own bread from home milled grains. Last summer I started tossing the idea around of raising some hens for eggs and possibly a dozen or so broilers. With winter in full force I can't bear yet to look through seed catalogs so I'm thinking I can start building a chicken coop.

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

are you looking for large fowl (LF) or bantams for your layers?

i would suggest my favorite breed for families-salmon faverolles since they are very friendly (even the roosters), lay a medium sized tinted cream to brown egg, very consistent even in winter, and are not noisy like some breeds (they actually sound like they giggle!

) the breed comes in both LF and bantams but hatcheries only carry the LF, and you can order just pullets from them. (if you don't want roosters/cockerels do not order 'straight run') both sizes lay a medium sized egg. they are also considered a dual purpose breed so they are also good for meat (i've only processed the roosters that were mean so far.)

if interested here is a thread about them. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=268082&p=1

if you are going to get a broiler type of chickens you might have to set up a separate pen. faverolles can sometimes be bullied by other breeds.

good luck!

edited to say:

 

[DLMKA]

I'm really not sure what we want for breeds or anything. I would like something quiet that won't ruffle the neighbors' feathers (pun intended) but also good around young children. Ideally something dual purpose that could could be put in the freezer but primarily for eggs. I like anything unique as long as it's productive and useful. Ideally I'd like to get a couple of established hens so we can start getting eggs this summer while the new chicks mature.

 

[matthewschickens]

and

From, VA

I know you will enjoy this forum a lot

My favorite breed by far is California Whites!!!
They are just eggs and so there is no meat on them but they are VERY friendly.
They do fly though, so you might need a top on the chicken coop.
Check out my BYC page for more about this breed!

 

[muttly]

So begins your chicken addiction Welcome!

 

[texasgal]

A big Texas size

 

[AHappychick]

Well you have come to the right place. there are some great ideas on byc with designs for coops from Play skool sets to dog houses from craigs list and everything inbetween. There is also a company now called poultry pods. that might be of use if you are not handy.

as for breed I would go with a brahma, or sexlink or something like that for a dual purpose bird. there are people who would know better than I though.

Welcome again, enjoy

 

[vstoltzfus]

I, too, am creeping toward self-sufficiency. I have 11 red sex links. I get 10-11 eggs per day, which is enough for my family of 5 to eat, plus enough to sell and pay for their feed, with a little left over to buy chicks in the Spring. I'm pretty happy with the way it's working out.

 

[Country Heart]

Hello from California.

Welcome!

 

[Flippacase]

The Plymoth Barred Rock(or just "Barred Rock") is a very popular, eggcilent dual pupose chicken. I think they look cool because they are essentialy striped!

If you're going for something unique, I would go for something like A huge Malay!