Hi! I'm new to Backyard Chickens and I've been learning a lot! I will be getting some day old baby chicks in about a month and I was wondering what the best breeds are for beginners? I will be getting 4 or 5 babies and I want them for their eggs and I want them to be very friendly. I live in Panama City Beach, Florida. The local feed store has Rhode Island Reds and Barred rock babies available now and another place will be getting a big variety in about a month. There are so many breeds that it is really confusing! Also, should I stick to one breed or can I mix it up? Thanks for the help! Joan
If you want just eggs and meat. RIR's and Barred Rocks will work. Being friendly may vary from bird to bird and breed to breed and strain to strain. Even the most docile breeds can produce a mean bird. It is just the chance you take. There are certain breeds that tend to me more docile than others. Look at the reviews in the "breeds" tab and research the right breed for you. You can mix breeds if you want, but i would suggest you stick to one breed. This way you can let them reproduce every 3 years or so as replacement birds for your aging hens. Hatchery birds seem to lay their best the first 2-3 years then drop off after that.
i love my black australorps, out of my 8 chickens those are my favorite. I have barred rocks, sex links, and cherry eggers but those australorps lay the best, are the most docile and quiestest. And sure you can mix it up i dont have more than 2 of anything so i dont get my birds confused, and its nice in the moring to go out to a rainbow array of colors in you coop. Good luck
I think d'uccles make great beginners chickens too. The ones i had laid two days in a row , took a day off then laid two days again.... Plus they come in lots of pretty colors and they have great personalities too.
I actually wouldn't pick RIRs as a beginner breed as they can be aggressive towards the other birds. Barred rocks are fantastic and are my absolute favorite breed. Orpingtons, Australorps, brahmas, and easter eggers are good too.
For back yard layers.............barred rocks, buff orpingtons, sex links (red or black), australorps, and most wyandottes are going to be good bets. There's a reason these breeds are all so popular, they're good layers, usually hardy and tolerant of any weather, heat or cold, and reasonably docile.
