What breed is best for a first time chicken owner?

[chickencrazy13]

I'm planning on getting six laying chickens, so I want to know what breed/breeds would be best. I'm new to this so I don't want a high maitenance flock

So please help me out by posting suggestions and other helpful info ( im ordering my chicks


soon).


Thanks so much!!!!!!!

 

[RoosterAddict99]

If you want laying hens that are easy to take care of, Rhode Island Reds would be great for you! I also recomend Austrolorps. Both breeds are great layers, have fun personalities, are pretty birds and are great for begining chicken raisers (lovers). These are two of the breeds I started out with. Good luck!!! And

!!!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

I am raising my first flock, 2 each Barred Rock, Buff Orpington and Production Red. I also have a purebred Splash Orpington Cockerel. Hand raised the pullets from a week old, got the cockerel when he was 16 weeks old. All are very docile and friendly. Waiting for my first egg though. Oldest pullet is 18 weeks, youngest is 16. Should get one in next month. I am gonna be getting 2 each of the following in the early spring, Delewares, Wyanndots, Favoralle, EE, Bantam Cochin(one Frizzled), and Silkie. Be careful, raising chickens is addicting.

 

[chickencrazy13]

Thanks! I will definately consider those breeds! I also would like to know how much space I would need inside the coop and run.(we dont plan to free range because of nearby dogs) and what kind of feed works best for you. any other tips would be amazing! I need all the help i can get! Haha!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

I have a 16x12 coop. Mine free range in the afternoon, I want to make sure they are laying in the nest boxes when they actually start. But I have read 10sf per bird for the run. My neighbor has 27 birds in a 8x10 coop, free range during the day. If you are only going to have the 6 birds and not increase flock size, the average sized 4x4 to 6x6 coop should be enough space. Just make sure enough room for the run.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

For laying hens so far I have been very happy with Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns. My leghorn is an excellent layer and lays a giant white egg every single day. I think a lot of it is also just personal preferences on what birds you like the look of or if you want certain color eggs.

 

[TheReadyBoys]

Rhode Island Reds are a great choice. They are beautiful birds and lay at least 1 egg a day. It also depends on how much space you have, too.

 

[Nathan Sampson]

My whole life I was raised around RIR, NHR, and production Reds. They are almost a take care of themselves bird and are great regular layers.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

There is no single BEST breed. There is probably at least one, but likely more, breeds that are best FOR YOU. Put together the list of qualities you do and do not care for, then search out the breeds that best match those qualities. Get one of two of the breeds that interest you, and see which ones you like best, then you know how to steer yourself in the future. Henderson's breed chart is a good place to sort out the characteristics of different breeds. Just realize that individual birds may not exactly conform to the characteristics of their breed.

Personally, I do not care for leghorns, RIR or orpingtons. I'm not interested in most game breeds, although they can be strikingly handsome birds. I adore silkies, brahmas, polish and plymouth rocks. Araucanas are sweet and spunky birds with a lot of personality.

 

[worms7]

Which birds are better for first time buff orpingtons or Australorp cheers