What are the best breeds for a "newbie" in the suburbs?

[cybercat]

Since you are in a city neiborhood noise will be a factor. So in that case I would say no to RIR. From what many say they are the loudest of most flocks that have them.

Also since you want eggs six chickens will be enough for a family of 4. You got to figure you will probably not eat eggs every day. So 6 should give you 4 to 5 eggs a day adverage. Thats 28 eggs a week. Do you go thru that many in a week? If not you will be able to get rid of some by friends and neibors.

Your large fowl will eat alot more than the bantams. Also since bantams are lighter they are more likely to fly out of fenced area. Sex links will be great for about 2 to 3 years then they are done pretty much with egg production.

I would do a search here on BYC on each breed. That way you can see what everyone says good and bad about breeds you are looking at before you buy. There are people in your area that breed also. We have a TN poultry group on yahoo groups. If you go up to the where you at section and check in there for the TN people thread in that thread you will find the link to the TN yahoo group. If you need help finding it just PM me.

Hope this helps some in your breed search.

 

[pooponshoe]

I'm almost a year into the chickens I have. Started with white rocks and just got 6 female EE chicks. I lost a couple along the way, hawks and 2 that died and with no symptoms. I have really enjoyed the eggs and the challenge.

 

[pooponshoe]

OOPS forgot the Astralorps! I got them for a Christmas present.

 

[raindrop]

I would get 2 barred rocks, 2 orpingtons, 2 speckled sussex, and 2 silkies or bantam cochins. Silkies and cochins don't lay that well.

 

[deeszoo]

I would get what you would enjoy looking at the most, and then worry about how productive they are last. Unless you are wanting to sell eggs, more than a couple of good egg layers will drown you in eggs!! Seriously. We found out the hard way. I found that my silkies are good layers. It is funny, but no one seems to want bantam eggs, but they taste the same. Bantams are a lot cheaper to feed!

I would go with some really wild looking birds, like a showgirl, a polish, a silkie, a Houdan, a Sultan, a turken and maybe something normal like a black star or a cherry egger for larger eggs!

Have fun!!

DeAnna