What breed should I get?

[cluckmecoop7]

Hi all,

I'm new here and want to learn all I can about chickens. First, I am planning to about 3 or 4 chickens this summer! I want to know what breed to get. I want egg layers for sure!

Thank you.

 

[DobieLover]

What breeds you get should be based on your climate, your situation and your goals.
Where are you located in the world? You can add that information to your profile so that it displays under your stats when you post.
Are you looking for high producers or just friendly birds that do lay some eggs? Are you looking for eye candy? How do you plan to keep your birds: confined to a coop and run or semi-free range (large pen or fenced area)?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thanks.

I plan to keep them in a run for most of the day. But they will have a 15-20 minute time to walk around in my yard. I would not like to share exactly where I live but I can tell you I live in the cold northeast. I am looking for friendly birds...but I would like a few eggs a week.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum! Glad you joined!

Great questions by DobieLover. We are not asking for street address, SSN, and your mother's maiden name. I understand a desire for privacy and share it. Many people on here don't know if I'm male or female, far as I'm concerned that is irrelevant. They certainly do not know my grandkids names. But knowing which side of the equator you are on can help with questions where seasons are important. Knowing which country you are in can help us make suggestions where you might find something. It doesn't do any good to tell you to look in Tractor Supply for something specific if you are in South Africa or France. Different chicken breeds are or are not available in different countries. Each state has it's own laws so with some questions that information can help, but just putting NE US in your profile so that is always available can be a big help.

I'll link these two breed selector tools. They will probably just show the breeds available from those specific places but they may be helpful. They are both USA businesses. If you need some help as to why certain questions may be important come back here and ask.

Breed Selectors

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chick_selector.html

I'll also include Henderson's Breed Chart and Feathersite. There are several crosses of chickens that might suit you well that are not on this chart but you might look through it and pick out certain breeds to consider and then look at Feathersite to see what they look like.

Henderson’s Breed Chart

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

Feathersite

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html#Chickens

Giving them a few minutes a day when you can to roam your yard doesn't really help as far as space goes. In your NE winters there will be extended times they cannot get outside into your run, let alone the yard. I'd look for chickens that take confinement well and provide a bigger coop than the minimum size.

Good luck and once again

 

[gunslinger33]

If you are planning on only 3-4 bird in the Summer that will narrow you choices down considerably. Most if not all breeders will have a six chick min for shipping safety. Most if not all large Hatcheries will have a 10+ minimum. If you are looking for a Summer purchase you might also be limited to availability and I would also be conscious that Summer chicks might not lay until the next Spring (relative to breed). By the time they are of laying age the daylight hours will be significantly reduced.

I would try to find a local breeder that has clean and healthy birds that are acclimated to your climate. If you find a local breeder that you can pick up your chicks they typically do not have a minimum and they also might has some slightly older pullets that have not sold yet.

Good luck

 

[Acre4Me]

BYC has an articles page as well as the forums. Right across the top bar, you'll see the link. I found the forums and the articles helpful prior to getting chickens last year.

Within BYC forums, there is a Social category, and a topic "Where am I, where are you?". Within that, you can find your state thread. Even if you don't post in the thread, you can read about others in your state/ area.

Also, you could just buy chicks at the local farm store/Tractor Supply/Rural King, when they have their spring "Chick Days". However, you should note that some states differ in their ag rules and may require a minimum purchase of chicks - like 4 or 6. In OH (where I live), the farm stores must sell no less than 6, but your state may not have this requirement..

With regards to what your goals are:

1. Eye candy chickens are for your visual enjoyment, with eggs as a nice bonus. If this is your desire, then know that as you look. Maybe bantam sized birds are appealing to you, maybe those funny/fuzzy Polish chickens appeal to you (they have the large tuft of feathers on their head, often in a fan shape, sometimes hiding their eyes), etc.

2. Cold tolerant bird - you don't have to worry much about them in the cold temps.

3. Egg laying: there are several specific breeds bred for egg laying ability. Rhode Island Reds and Leghorns, come to mind, but there are several.

4. "Pets" that happen to lay eggs. Maybe you envision becoming good friends with your chickens. Well, certain breeds are more tolerant to human interaction and docile.

These are the kinds of areas that BYCers are curious about when you want some breeds recommended. Now that we know you are in a colder portion of the US, that is helpful! Now that we know you will mostly confine your birds to a run, that is also helpful.

Good Luck!