What Breed & How Many for a Newbie?

Esteri

In the Brooder
10 Years
Apr 23, 2009
47
0
32
Sacramento, CA
Hello!! Hi!! Long time lurker coming out of hiding...
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I have a conundrum I'm hoping you can help with... That is, what breeds, and how many should we (as rank beginners) start with? Space isn't an issue for us as the coop we have designed will easily be 10 x 10. And we have lots of room for hoop houses.

No, it's more about - what makes sense for getting your feet wet - figuring out if chickens are for you? I want both eggs and meat. Though I hesitate on the meat until I can locate someone who can teach me how to process (see my note in the Meat section). If I start with just a few (we're thinking 6) - I can easily get them from the local feed store - but they don't stock meat breeds, and they only get pullets. But, if I get Orpingtons and/or Rocks - then I could use them for meat too?

Or maybe I just go for it and get a mixed box of 25? I'll have no trouble getting rid of excess eggs and meat. But, 25 feels like it might be too much for a newbie.

Sheez. I'm so conflicted. Help!

Esteri
 
Hi! I'm a newbie too, for meat I got 15 cornish roasters and for eggs I got 5 buff orpingtons and 5 black giants. I'm having my meat birds processed at a local family owned place.
 
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Chickens are easy. They take care of themselves for the most part. You just have to provide the safe home, feed and water. 6 is a good number to start with, but you will want more, trust me, so go for the 25 box.. lol And most any breed of chicken can be eaten. Some are just more preferred over the others as far as growth rate, etc. Hope this helps.
 
Ms.FuzzyButts :

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Chickens are easy. They take care of themselves for the most part. You just have to provide the safe home, feed and water. 6 is a good number to start with, but you will want more, trust me, so go for the 25 box.. lol And most any breed of chicken can be eaten. Some are just more preferred over the others as far as growth rate, etc. Hope this helps.

Trust me - they're not easier than Llamas which require virtually no care at all if you have the water on a timer and enough pasture. We have both.
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I already know that I want more than six, but sine we havne't done this I was wondering about easing into it. After reading Raising Chickens for Dummies (fantastic!) I thought that maybe 25 isn't really any more trouble than 6. But DH hesitates. On the other hand - his involvement is limited to designing and building the coop - which is already sized for future flock expansion. On the other hand what if it really doesn't work out? On the other hand.... Sigh.

That's why I'm asking here - to confirm my intuition - or not.​
 
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You sound just like me. I can only make a decision when one choice is given..
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What could not work out? So just start with 6. You can always expand later. I grew up with them as a child. But I started with 5, and in less than 3 months had more like 35...
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They really are a joy to have. And since you are new here, I will warn you that we are a bunch of enablers.
 
Ms.FuzzyButts :

Quote:
You sound just like me. I can only make a decision when one choice is given..
big_smile.png
What could not work out? So just start with 6. You can always expand later. I grew up with them as a child. But I started with 5, and in less than 3 months had more like 35...
hide.gif
They really are a joy to have. And since you are new here, I will warn you that we are a bunch of enablers.

Ah Ha! There's a great idea. Start with 5 or 6 - by the time they're a few months old we'll know if this is going to work and then I can expand the flock. That way I don't have to wait all the way until next year to add to the flock if it's working well for us.

Can I reserve an order with a hatchery - and then cancel it later if I change my mind?

A bunch of enablers... Ha! Thanks for the warning.
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Though I've been lurking long enough to have figured that out.
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Quote:
You sound just like me. I can only make a decision when one choice is given..
big_smile.png
What could not work out? So just start with 6. You can always expand later. I grew up with them as a child. But I started with 5, and in less than 3 months had more like 35...
hide.gif
They really are a joy to have. And since you are new here, I will warn you that we are a bunch of enablers.

Ah Ha! There's a great idea. Start with 5 or 6 - by the time they're a few months old we'll know if this is going to work and then I can expand the flock. That way I don't have to wait all the way until next year to add to the flock if it's working well for us.

Can I reserve an order with a hatchery - and then cancel it later if I change my mind?

A bunch of enablers... Ha! Thanks for the warning.
smile.png
Though I've been lurking long enough to have figured that out.
lol.png


I'm a newbie too and in exactly your same situation - I am getting my first set of chicks ever this spring. Right now I am leaning right about the same line you are, I am not going too big right away, I am planning on getting about 6 Buff Orpington pullets. Everything I've been reading says that Orpington's are one of the most friendly and docile breeds and with my having a 8 yr old and 6 yr old, I just want to make sure that they enjoy the experience as much as I do.

We are going to stick strictly with pullets/hens first (no roo's) - we are just interested in the collecting eggs, etc. right now............ eventually down the road once we get our feet wet into it, then maybe we look at getting a roo and hatching eggs, although the roo's tend to be alot more aggressive and I'm not sure I want the kids around him yet. In any event, those are my plans - good luck to you.

- Brian
 
Orpingtons are a dual-purpose breed and make great meat birds! They lay a nice light brown egg and a lot of them, mine haven't slowed down for winter or anything. Everything I have read about them says they are a 'docile, QUIET breed' but I'd swear there was a 7th grade playground during recess in my back yard!
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Edited to add: Orpington roos are NOT aggressive to people. Mine are friendlier than the hens.
 
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