whats the best chicken for a first timer?

[pekinduck<3er]

Hi,


I am a new comer to chickens and was wondering whats the best chicken?best for laying.best for broodynest.bet for size. best for niceness.and quietness. but also beautifulness? also im only getting one a hen.... so what is yalls answeres?

 

[cybercat]

Well, since you are in FL and you want all that look for your Barred Rocks. They will be your best bet for everything you want and should be easy to find down there.

 

[Chickenrandomness]

i say Wyandottes. mine was sooooo friendly! (R.I.P.) she layed lots of eggs and she loved being petted

 

[easttxchick]

I agree with the Barred Rocks, but you really should get 2-chickens don't do well by themselves and need a buddy.

 

[pekinduck<3er]

barred rocks are pretty and they were my second choice but i need some more choices...but thnx

 

[Happy Chooks]

Chickens are social animals and need companionship with other chickens, so you should get more than 1. If you get "best for laying", you will not get "best for broody" as they don't lay when broody.

My barred rock lays the largest egg by far. My Easter Egger (sold as Americauna at the feed store or hatchery) is also a great layer of large green eggs. (they can lay any color: blue, green, brown or white - it's a crap shoot) My welsummers are also great layers of terra cotta colored eggs.(they are not a broody breed though)

 

[4HChick]

Well this is my first year with chickens, and while they are not yet laying, I prefer our Buff Orpingtons over our Silver Laced Wyandots for ease of handling. Our BO's are genrerally more docile. I do also agree that you need a few to keep each other company. When Choosing our two breeds we visited the following site: http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/breed-list.aspx. This gives great quick-list style information on breed birds. Good luck!!

 

[Chicky Monkey]

I am a first-timer this year, too! I have two buff orpingtons, three barred rocks and two silver-laced Wyandottes. The buffs are super sweet and easy, but seem to suffer more from heat. The barred rocks are very sweet and easy, too, and seem to tolerate the heat better. One Wyandotte is a sweetie and the other is super _itchy (she is the most dominant). I sympathize with the heat situation where you are! DEFINITELY need at least two....one will be very miserable and probably very noisy! I think they feel much safer with a 'friend'. Good luck with your chickies!!!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

The bigger breeds won't be as heat tolerant. Two hens could actually be less work than one hen because a pair will be less dependent on you for attention.

 

[cybercat]

In FL I would stay away from BO and wynadottes. EE are a good choise for you have lots of varity there. Since you are looking just for One or two it will depend on what is sold local. You might not have much of a choise like buying from a hatchery.