what is the best beginner breeds of chickens to deal with

[Blubirdz]

wyandotte. a great dual purpose bird,very gentile also.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I think that for every breed you will find people that have had positive experiences and those who have had negative experineces. We really need a lot more information about what you are looking for other than that you consider yourself a beginner to be able to offer useful advice.

As for aggressive, I do not use the term alone; it is either people-aggressive or bird-aggressive. I really have not experienced BREEDS that are people-aggressive. I think that is more individual birds. How they are handled can make a big difference, too.

 

[cravenchx]

My sex links are becoming very good layers, as well as the leghorns.

 

[3riverschick]

If you are looking for something really rare. There's a new breed in town call the Euskal Oila. The Basque Hen.
Euskal= Basque; Oila= Hen. Recreated from old stock by the Spanish government. They're a nice dual purpose fowl.
Their main attraction is they are supposed to be the friendliest chicken in the world. Even the day old chicks will run
to your hand to be picked up. They come in many pretty colors, usually in the red, gold and white spectrum.
The US outlet for this breed is Skyline Poultry(website). I know they ship eggs, not sure if they ship
chicks, have to ask them. I studied the breed and it looks like a good'un for the backyard flock.
Best regards,
Karen in western PA
(Sussex and Marans)

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Quote:
Are these birds also bird-friendly?

 

[lotzahenz]

I think I would go with Sex-Links of either color. They are hybrid and very vigorous, and quite friendly. They will be great layers, good for any weather and inexpensive and best of all you will know at hatch if you have boys or girls. Then, I'd go to a feed store in the spring and add to them, and not spend a bunch of money until you get well established. If you are ordering chicks from a Hatchery, the Egg-Layers group is a great way to get several varieties of pullets and then you can pick the ones you like best. You'll have 25 birds, and at least 5 varieties. IF you want pets, get bantams and you can't beat the feather-headed group, they are the calmest. Best of luck!

 

[FortChiggn]

This reply is a bit late but in case other peeps were doing a search for "Best beginner breeds" like I was, my two cents:

Having kept small flocks of backyard chickens of the sorts easily available at your local feed store; I've found through trial and error temperaments vary widely within a breed. But that said the meanest birds I had by far were one particular Americauna, she was completely wild, barely laid anything and drove me and the other chickens nuts bashing herself into the fence and walls of the house. I was also pecked and bitten continuously by two Hampshire Reds; -a variety of Rhode Island Reds. My White Leghorn was flighty but cute, a great free ranger despite being stark white, intelligent and laid enormous reliable eggs, although she once was egg bound as a result, she recovered well. My 2 Buff Orpingtons were like night and day, one was very clever and charming even as a chick, friendly, cuddly and gentle but only a decent layer and did not lay in winter despite the breed's reputation. The other Orpington laid about the same and was shy, not friendly at all and quite dumb. I've never tried Brahmas as I've heard mixed reviews about them and don't really like their look, also it gets hot here in the summer and I'd like to avoid breeds with really heavy plumage like Brahmas and Orpingtons at this point. I had an awesome Jersey Giant hen who was calm and pleasant but I wouldn't say terribly friendly, she reliably laid med-sized eggs, but I wouldn't get another as they are too large and I've heard they vary in terms of meanness.
I'm starting my tiny flock over this year after moving, I'm looking forward to picking a couple new chicks from breeds I've tried in the past.
If you want gentle, healthy, reliable layers that won't usually pick on other hens I'd try Australorp, Black Sex Links/Black Star (same thing), Red Star/Red Sex Link, and/or plain old Barred Plymouth Rocks, I know not everyone loves Plymouth Rocks but the ones I had were businesslike, quiet, gentle and very healthy. I love that they have been around so long as a standard small farm/backyard chicken breed in the U.S.
Often a chicken that starts out seemingly flighty can be gentled down if you just tuck it under your arm and talk to it for a while a few times a week and make the effort, but, sometimes they can't.

Good luck!

 

[lucky123]

Have to agree on the barred rocks. Great layers and even lay in the winter. Only had one to try and fight me, was a hatchery cockeral and I broke him completely after the second time. He knew who was top rooster after that.

 

[speckledhen]

Barred Rocks are my choice. If you want variety, add blue/black/splash Rocks, which I also have. The Rocks and the Delawares are my best layers. If I had to choose just one breed and variety, it would be the Barred Plymouth Rocks.

They are friendly without being needy, but they are not usually pushovers in the flock. They hold their own in most flock situations. I love them. And if you want them retaining any broody tendencies, get the good old heritage lines. I have one right now who has been threatening to go broody for three weeks now and I think eventually, she will settle down to it. My hatchery Rocks and their daughters have never gone broody.

My first flock consisted of hatchery stock: 3 Silver Laced Wyandottes, 3 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Buff Orpingtons and 2 Barred Rocks. I have only one Buff Orp left of all those. Most all of them died from internal laying, which is why I've gone to only heritage/breeder stock, but they were a great first flock.

 

[maizy'smom]

x2 for this. Especially the RIR.

I would suggest calm, friendly dual purpose birds for ANYONES first time bird - the last thing a beginner wants is a aggressive, feather-picking, cannibalistic bird. Orpingtons, Sussex, Brahmas, Jersey Giants, Hollands, Chanteclers, and Dorkings are all good choices as far as temperament and decent egg laying abilities that I would suggest. I don't suggest birds only for meat or eggs to any beginner.

TRUE Ameraucanas (nothing from a hatchery) can also be good choices, though they will be more expensive and won't lay as well.... Easter Eggers have too varied a temperament for beginners in my opinion. They might be docile, or like most of mine, feather picking or aggressive.

It really depends on your situation and what you want. Egg layers? Dual purpose? Meat birds?

I find Orpingtons to be a nice breed. Common enough (buff ones at least) that they don't cost a lot and are easy to get, and they generally have a very laid back personality. A lot of people start with Rhode Island Red or Plymouth Rock, but all of those I've ever had have been kind of mean, maybe I just got bad ones.

Ditto to the mean RIRs, and dittto to Buff Orps and Jersey Giants. My BO, Pearl, and JG, Agnes, are the most sociable, approachable, friendly girls, and the best layers. Florence, my BLRW is new to laying and has always been the most aloof and stand -offish. Sylvie, my SLW, is a special needs girlie, and can be a little unpredictable, and rather food-aggressive. The RIR I brooded for a friend ended up wearing "pinless peepers" because she pecked Esther, BR, bloody. So, I vote for Jersey Giants and Buff Orps. Sweet girls.

mm