What type of chicken should a beginner get?

[flgardengirl]

I like my buff orpingtons but my golden comets (red sex links) lay much better, nice brown eggs, like every single day rain or shine! They are even friendlier than the orps.
Barred rocks are pretty friendly too and lay a light brown egg reliably.

 

[kid-n-chickens]

Everybody has there favorites, first and foremost most chickens DO NOT lay an egg every day sometimes they do but it does not go on for a long period of time. A good laying chicken will lay 2 eggs every 3 days. Then you have to account for moulting that they will slow down if not quit laying during that time, During cold weather they also slow down and less than 12 hours of light will cause them to slow down, a light on a timer will solve this, warm water during the winter will also help. If you really need 4 eggs every day I would get 6 chickens and realise there will still be days you don't get 4. If you do not want them to fly over 3ft you would need to clip a wing which basically is just cutting part of the primary wing feathers off. Only do one wing as it is b/c the wings are uneven that keeps them from flying.

My kids started out with Black Austalorps, Rhode Island Reds. They lay pretty good, most of them time better than the average, but have slowed down b/c of moulting. They are very friendly with kids (12, 6 and 3y.o) My middle child picks them up and swings them in her swing set. We have also had Buff Orpingtons and Silver laced Wyandottes and they have been very good with the kids as well (although I cant speak for them as we have not had them but 6 months.

Good luck on what ever you decide to get you will fall in love with them.

 

[mgw]

I suggest sex links also, we have five black sex links and one golden comet great layers and quite docile birds. One thing I wood suggest is
Getting different colors so you can tell them apart.
Also like barred Plymouth rocks if you can get them in your area.
Good luck choosing a breed, it's so much fun.

 

[Luke10]

Wow, thank you very much for all your comments! Very helpful as i had no idea before joining BYC

I will post some pics of my hens when i get them, and will let you all know what breed i decide to get.

Thanks again.

 

[awesomefowl]

Friendly as they will be around young children. Try Cochins (Pekins in UK) Silkies; any chicken will be friendly if you handle it ALOT from birth.
* They should be easy and cheap to keep. Most chickens are eaasy to keep, except for show or Onagadori!
* Easy to handle. Don't get neurotic bantams.
* Not able to fly over 3ft. Don't get bantams then, except silkies, which can't fly.
* Lay eggs everyday and are a good size. Get standard sized breeds: you could try Red, Amber, or Black Sexlinks, they lay well and have nice dispositions. Or, for beauty, Sussex, Orpington, or Wyandotte.
* hardy to cold and a generally healthy birds. Health mostly depends on management. Orpington are said to do well in cold weather. Don't get a breed with a large comb, because they can get frostbite.
* Fairly common breed/easy and cheap to obtain

 

[chickenriot]

You might also want to click on the "breeds" link at the top of the page and read about the different kinds of chickens. You will learn about temperment, how large they can grow, etc.

I used the information I gained there to pick my barred rocks.

 

[blaundee]

Black Australorps.

 

[V Comb]

(there are cochins in uk, but pekins are the bantams)

* Friendly as they will be around young children = Houdans. Good idea to get from chicks though.
* They should be easy and cheap to keep = Houdans. Much easier than my silkies
* Easy to handle = Houdans. Especially if raised form chicks
* Not able to fly over 3ft = Not sure yet, but they are a heavy bird, so I dont think so...
* Lay eggs everyday and are a good size = Houdans, they are a dual purpose breed...
* hardy to cold and a generally healthy birds = Houdans come from France so they can

Here's my babies...

 

[flgardengirl]

"..... first and foremost most chickens DO NOT lay an egg every day sometimes they do......." shhhh don't tell that to Ducky (our golden comet) she has been laying every day since March LOL! I am sooo getting more golden comets next spring

Come to think of it so does our one and only leghorn, She is super friendly but she is an exception, most of them are a little on the flighty side.

I really love the look of the Houdans they are next on my new breed list soon as I get some projects going and more pens built. Beautiful pics!

 

[The Yakima Kid]

Depending on the breeder, Plymouth Rocks are good here in North America. I have heard that the Plymouth Rocks in the UK are different, so you'd have to talk with your local suppliers and breeders.