What type to buy?

[beginnerchick08]

I am so lost, I want to get some chickens but I'm not sure which type to get. I want them to be pretty but I also want them to produce alot of eggs. I live in Alabama so we dont have cold winters and we have very hot summers. Should this make a difference in the type of chickens I get? I was thinking about a Wyandotte, EE, Plymouth Rock?

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

Well if you have hot summers you can't go wrong with NNs/turkens. They may not be pretty but they lay well a lot of eggs, do very well in hot places, and with less feathers you don't need to give them as much protein.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Hello

and

!!!

Now about your question! It really depends on your preference really, as to what type of chicken you would like. The qualities that you are going to be looking for is a light feathered, good egg producer. That way the birds will be able to tolerate your hot summers well, versus the heavy feathered birds. Here are a couple of good sites for you to look at and research to help you find what you want. This first one is good for helping you get familiar with the qualities and the second one is good for you to be able to see pictures of what you think you might be interested in.
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html#Chickens

 

[PortageGirl]

Look at the hatchery sites, you'll get lost in the pretty pictures! THEN when you've picked out what looks good to you, compare some facts on sites like this > http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/dual.html which has the birds the site owner has personally had experience with, or this one > http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html which has most (though not all) of the breeds you can find in the US.

I understand the wanting pretty hens, it's part of it for me too, so I won't pick on you for it! Decide if you want just one or two breeds at first (might be a good idea) or a whole mix. My first flock was half New Hampshire Reds and half Road Island Reds. It's a solid mix, but now I love mixed flocks. Totally up to you!

Do you want to breed for shows? If so, then hatchery chicks won't do, but if you just want eggs and cluckers around, it may be fine.

Plenty of us will be happy to kibbutz about what you might want to consider!!

PG

[edit] OH how FUNNY!! at least two of us agree on something!!

 

[PortageGirl]

Quote:
Wyandottes and Plymouth Rocks are pretty heavy breeds... not positive how they'd tolerate the heat, but surely they'd adapt... Any BYC-ers have any in the southern climates?? EEs are crosses which lay pretty eggs, (fun!) and should be adaptable I would think... is there anyone around that raises chickens?

If you are out driving around and see a 'fresh eggs for sale' sign, try dropping in for a chat if you can! Buy a dozen eggs and talk a bit, asking what kind of hens they have etc... how they do in the heat, such things, I've gotten many a tour of a hen house that way in the past, though I know better now because of spreading disease and all. Still until you have some chooks, should be safe enough.

take your time deciding I'd say!