Which types of chickens should we get? Breed Recs

[Ribh]

If you want bantams you might consider Belgians instead of Silkies. They are incredibly people friendly & mine is definitely not the lowest amongst the 7 newbies mix of bantams & standards. Neither Belgians nor silkies are generally good layers & their eggs are small. My Belgian is not bullied @ all but always watch small children around chickens, especially when they are chicks as they can be incredibly fragile.

Australorps can be bullies, though usually good with people.

My best layers are Barred Rocks & they lay during winter too! Mine are very people friendly.

My Aracaunas also lay really well with the bonus of blue eggs. They can be handled but are rather stand offish.

 

[Chickgal22]

Since every bird is an individual you won't really know if a bird is "quiet" until they're grown - even then, quiet birds still can make a bit of noise. If the concern is this is all hush-hush and not legal in your neighborhood, I hope at the very least you have a backup plan if you can't keep them.

For colorful eggs, Easter Eggers would fit the bill.

I also would caution you from getting just one Silkie as bullying may become an issue. If things don't work out with the rest of the flock, will you be able to make a separate enclosure to protect it, as well as get additional Silkies as companions for it?

Absolutely agree

 

[Chickgal22]

I have Orpingtons (different colors) and Barnevelders and would absolutely recommend the Orpingtons! I love the Barnevelders too, but they're skittish with the kids and a bit loud and dramatic when laying or overreacting to perceived danger. The Orps, on the other hand, are extremely chill and laid back. I have young children and they can pick them up and cuddle them without any issues. The Orps are large and sturdy and won't break if a kid drops them by accident or steps on them. They are mellow with each other and sweet with humans. They are quiet, too - they don't even always do the egg song. Often I'll see them just quietly walk out of the coop after laying, without any fanfare (the Barnevelders, on the other hand... OMG). We have really hot summers and really cold winters, and they've done fine in all seasons, though I guess it depends on where you live. They definitely prefer winter over summer and are better equipped for cold than for heat. They pant a lot in the summer, but otherwise act normal, mine haven't had any actual issues other than some discomfort. Egg color varies with mine... They're all various shades of beige, but I do have one Orp that lays purplish eggs with speckles on them, which was a surprise (and probably a fluke). These guys are my favorite breed ever and I totally recommend them!

View attachment 2533882

I'm completely sold on getting Orpingtons! I'm the one who really wants them! Turns out the breeder that we are going to might not have Australorps but it turns out they have the other 3 breeds that we would like!

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

Our cuckoo marans are very quiet and low maintenance. We currently have 1 each of australorp, buff orpington, and silver laced wyandotte chicks, but they are only 4 weeks so can't really tell you much yet. The orpington is the most chill about being handled.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I absolutely love my production blues. They're Rhode island reds and blue australorps. Great layers. Super sweet and quiet. And beautiful. My EE is so loud. All she does is scream all day. We get pretty eggs for her but I would not do EEs if you want quiet. I I've in west Texas where supper often get into the 120s and they do fine. My EE suffers.

 

[Harmoni]

We currently have 2 goldem comets and 2 rirs. My reds are by far friendlier. They don't "enjoy" being picked up but are definitely tolerant of it as you can see lol

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I've not had basically anything you've named, so take what I'm about to say with much salt, its based on my readings of what others have expressed. You may also wish to review the "Never Again" [found it!] thread of birds people won't buy again (and more importantly, why they wouldn't - since needs vary).

EEs are mutts, no matter what name gets attached to them, Americana or Green Egger or whatever. That said, they are popular, lay colored eggs, and seem pretty run of the mill based on reports I've read. Meet your needs just fine.

Silkies are high maintenance, prone to issues with larger birds, likely to be the bottom of almost any pecking order. Not good for egg production, either - I'd avoid.

Left central TX last year and some months, I remember the heat. Traded it for almost as hot, and much more humid, FL. Any bird can tolerate the heat with good coop design and some additional considerations during high stress periods (electrolyte support, ice blocks in the water, frozen fruit treats, etc), but if you have the choice (and you do), I'd recommend seeking out small to moderate sized birds with clean legs and pronounced combs to help with heat dissipation.

Particularly as you aren't looking for meat birds, there's no reason to seek out poultry with large body mass or a walking feather pillow. Brahma I'd definitely avoid for reasons I put in the NeverAgain thread. Orpingtons and Cochin, cute though they can be are big, heavy fluff balls, I'd probably steer clear.

White Australorp, Barnevelder (infrequent eggs but good color, a nice brown with red tint, Buttercups (no idea where to find them), the Egyptian birds (name escapes me) - very good with heat but not known for egg size or frequency and a semi-unique look to them, Marans (in the lighter colors, cuckoo very pretty) have nice dark brown eggs), Minorca, RedCaps (McMurray carries, not sure who else does), Welsummer would all be good choices.

/edit and of course I'd try to get the whole flock at the same time to ease integration.

What hatchery are you planning to use? that may help us target what's available to you in the desired timeframe....

 

[Chickgal22]

I've not had basically anything you've named, so take what I'm about to say with much salt, its based on my readings of what others have expressed. You may also wish to review the "Never Again" [found it!] thread of birds people won't buy again (and more importantly, why they wouldn't - since needs vary).

EEs are mutts, no matter what name gets attached to them, Americana or Green Egger or whatever. That said, they are popular, lay colored eggs, and seem pretty run of the mill based on reports I've read. Meet your needs just fine.

Silkies are high maintenance, prone to issues with larger birds, likely to be the bottom of almost any pecking order. Not good for egg production, either - I'd avoid.

Left central TX last year and some months, I remember the heat. Traded it for almost as hot, and much more humid, FL. Any bird can tolerate the heat with good coop design and some additional considerations during high stress periods (electrolyte support, ice blocks in the water, frozen fruit treats, etc), but if you have the choice (and you do), I'd recommend seeking out small to moderate sized birds with clean legs and pronounced combs to help with heat dissipation.

Particularly as you aren't looking for meat birds, there's no reason to seek out poultry with large body mass or a walking feather pillow. Brahma I'd definitely avoid for reasons I put in the NeverAgain thread. Orpingtons and Cochin, cute though they can be are big, heavy fluff balls, I'd probably steer clear.

White Australorp, Barnevelder (infrequent eggs but good color, a nice brown with red tint, Buttercups (no idea where to find them), the Egyptian birds (name escapes me) - very good with heat but not known for egg size or frequency and a semi-unique look to them, Marans (in the lighter colors, cuckoo very pretty) have nice dark brown eggs), Minorca, RedCaps (McMurray carries, not sure who else does), Welsummer would all be good choices.

/edit and of course I'd try to get the whole flock at the same time to ease integration.

What hatchery are you planning to use? that may help us target what's available to you in the desired timeframe....

We're planning on getting chicks Sunday, we have all the supplies needed. We'd like 5 or 6. What they have are in the most recent photos. But it is possible that they could have less/ other breeds. Currently, we're thinking 3 BO, a Silkie, and an Ameracauna.

https://m.facebook.com/ChicksChickensDucks/?__tn__=C-R

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

As long as you know silkies can be a bit delicate/high maintenance and you're up for that, sounds like a plan! How fun!

 

[Chickgal22]

As long as you know silkies can be a bit delicate/high maintenance and you're up for that, sounds like a plan! How fun!

Yup! We're up for it!!