Which breeds for me?

[BYOChickens]

Two part question here for this newbie. I am wrapping up construction of the coop and run and now on to next phase of obtaining some laying hens. Live in Northen CA. right at the "snowline". Get four seasons here and so I am wondering which breeds will be best. Want lesser agressive breed, good layers, and hardy birds for this region. Secondly, debating going with chicks vs older birds in the 6 mos. old range. Any suggetions on these questions would be helpful. Coop is 4 x 8 with an additional run area of 200 square feet. Thinking of between 5-10 birds. Thanks for the help.

 

[debid]

Of the chickens I get to spend time with now, I love the Barred Rocks. All 4 are sweet and gentle and one of them acts very much like a dog -- following you around and hopping in your lap if you happen to sit down.

I couldn't decide on one or two breeds so I ended up choosing a sampler that would give me lots of color in feather and egg. I'm getting Welsummer, Barnevelder, Easter Egger (Ameraucana), Dominique, Speckled Sussex, and Black Australorp. I opted to go with day-olds to have the baby chick experience and because I believe they are more tame with humans if you get them young and handle them often. I avoided white feathering because of the aerial predator situation here (white birds stand out more against the dark ground).

 

[magoochie]

I would go with day olds, if you can get a smaller number. Not sure if you are looking at ordering from a hatchery, or have someone near you that is selling them.

Craigslist is always a place to go to look at chicks. The first ones I got were about 5 weeks old, and they are Black Australorps.

They are good layers, started laying at Christmas and have been going strong ever since. Even when it is below 0 here in WI.

My current order that was just shipped is buff orpingtons, easter eggers, brahmas, cochins, and turkens. All supposed to be cold hardy birds.

 

[Fred's Hens]

The various Rocks give you pretty good eggs, good meat, and laid back personalities. They are large birds and 6-8 would be the maximum for that coop size. Three days of nasty weather and they get cabin fever bad!!! Don't start right out crowding in as many as you can possibly fit based on a formula quoted here far too often.

Pet peeve but many of the same folks who rail against caged chickens, and understandably so, only do incrementally better when the coop is simply too small and free ranging isn't feasible. Enjoy your new interest and have fun.

 

[skysoldier]

I grew up in northern California on a very large chicken farm. My family primairly raised white leghorns and Rhode Island Reds. Both breeds seen to do well in your general climate. Both breeds are excellent layers (probably the most productive), mild mannered and relatively easy to care for. They can be somewhar nervous at times though. It sounds like you will have plenty of space to make them happy (and likely more productive). I would start with day old (or so) chicks. GOOD LUCK!!

 

[maclady]

You could try Buff Orpingtons. Dual purpose breeds that are calm, quiet, go broody, friendly and bear confinement well. They are also cold hardy. This is what I am getting for my first time chickens. Several people told me these were good first time birds. I will find out soon enough since I get my chicks Saturday.

 

[Smittenroade]

You should get a big ol game cock!

That was my first chicken. They definately keep you on your toes and are quite self sufficient.