mich9510
Songster
Hi everyone! I'm doing some research on raising chickens and had a question about what breed would be appropriate for us. There are so many breeds to choose from. I hope this is the right place to post...
My goal is meat but would like to have some eggs as well. We don't eat many eggs so that's not the primary focus. We live on 1.2 acres on top od a "mountain" (more like a large hill - elevation around 1000 ft.) in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Predators are a concern, we have coyotes and bobcats (although I've never seen them or signs of them). I think the bigger concern is foxes and hawks, the darn birds got one of my koi recently. Anyway, I plan to let them free range when I'm home and they will have a coop with a small run at night and when I'm at work. While the chickens are free-ranging I'd like them to forage a fair amount but of course I'll still give them feed. Our summers can get in the low 90's but humidity isn't real terrible at our elevation. It gets cold in the winter and we usually get 2-3 snaps of near zero temperatures. Its also very windy here. I know that raising chickens takes careful research and lots of work. Since I'm new at this a lower maintenance breed would be great to start.
thank you
Michelle
My goal is meat but would like to have some eggs as well. We don't eat many eggs so that's not the primary focus. We live on 1.2 acres on top od a "mountain" (more like a large hill - elevation around 1000 ft.) in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Predators are a concern, we have coyotes and bobcats (although I've never seen them or signs of them). I think the bigger concern is foxes and hawks, the darn birds got one of my koi recently. Anyway, I plan to let them free range when I'm home and they will have a coop with a small run at night and when I'm at work. While the chickens are free-ranging I'd like them to forage a fair amount but of course I'll still give them feed. Our summers can get in the low 90's but humidity isn't real terrible at our elevation. It gets cold in the winter and we usually get 2-3 snaps of near zero temperatures. Its also very windy here. I know that raising chickens takes careful research and lots of work. Since I'm new at this a lower maintenance breed would be great to start.
thank you
Michelle