Best Chickens?

[Kirk]

I am sort of knocking around the idea of raising a few (2-3) chickens. I have a question for the chicken raisin' experts. What is the best breed of chicken to raise in a small area?

What I plan to raise them in.

 

[TN RDG RNR]

We bought 6 Dark Brahma chicks 2 weeks ago that seem to bee doing fine. They are suppose to lay light brown eggs around 3 to 4 a week. They are pretty cool looking have feathers on the legs and grow to be around 10lbs.

 

[Nimrod777]

Pretty Taj Mahen, there man! Here's a link to an article on the top 5 backyard breeds. They include Rhode Island Reds and Ameracaunas, both of which we have in our wildly mixed troupe of 17 birds. RIRs lay brown eggs, the Ameracauna will have a pale blue or green egg. Both breeds are very people-friendly, which the kids would probably like. Heck, we grown-ups like a friendly bird unafraid to eat out of our hands, too.

Jersey Giants are available at our local Tractor Supply right now, as are the Reds and Ameracaunas

 

[Outdoor life]

Any chicken is happy as long as it is fed. We have now just around 20 chickens here, but we used to have over 50, and we couldn't sell the eggs fast enough so had to sell a few.

I was always a fan of the dominecker, but thats just me. 2 or 3 chickens will fit in that no problem of any species I think.

Might have to move it around to let the chickens pick the grass, cause it wont take long in that.

 

[Hardwoodmaterials]

If your worried about space and dont care about eggs for the table you can get Bantams in all colors and varieties. If you want a couple for laying its hard to beat the red or black sex links.

 

[JandSCattleCo]

We've always run black sex links that came from the 4-H chick chain. We were up to 70 birds at one time. Coons killed all but 4 in 2 nights.

 

[Nimrod777]

Yeah, we have a couple black sex links (Black Stars) and red sex links (Red Stars). They're very nice birds, good layers, and tend to be available from 4-H folks who successfully raised more than they anticipated, and are downsizing or getting out completely. Would be a great choice if you can find them.

Just checked the Chattanooga Craigslist and seems like most of the chickens are across the GA line or up in Dunlap.

 

[rabbit hunter]

Good laying hens are black sex links and speckle sussex. My speckle sussex lay more consistant. Your feed is very important for laying. You have any questions, just ask.

 

[DaveB]

I was 8 years old, raised a Bantam Rooster, name Rocky, of course. He would perch on the sofa and watch TV. Sounds weird but he was housebroken. He could crow with the best of them. Sure miss that bird.

 

[tellico28]

Always had good luck with black sex links and golden comets, and buff orpingtons.

 

[TennesseeRains]

If you have a wiener dog around - that setup ain't gonna keep him out and he will eat your chickens.

 

[Hardwoodmaterials]

If your wanting to raise your own chicks watch Tractor Supply. They will run sales on their chicks that start feathering out for .50-$1.50 each depending on age. The older they are the cheaper they get. Just make sure you don't buy straight run because you will end up raising half roosters. If you buy sexed pullets of anything other than sex links you will usually end up with a rooster or two anyway since most hatcheries are not 100% accurate with the sexing.
You can run a small electric fence box with a strand of wire about 6-8 inches off the ground if your worried about animals trying to get your chickens. Most things will leave them alone after they touch the wire a time or two.

 

[Bayou Buck]

I use have a few RIR's and they were pretty easy to take care of.

 

[BigAl]

The Tractor Supply around here will only sell you a minimum of 5 or 6 birds. I guess thats to try and prevent people buying them as easter pets.

 

[Kirk]

Thanks for the help!

 

[jos3ywales]

we always Had Rhode Island Reds good egg producers but meaner than crap they would flog the crap out of ya almost bad as the ol Grays I used to fight

 

[Nimrod777]

Between bought and rescued/adopted birds, we have Dominiques, Red Stars, Black Stars, Ameracaunas/Easter Eggers, Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpington, Leghorns and Delaware, plus a couple oddballs. The Doms are the shyest of the bunch, outside one oddball chicken that seems convinced she's destined for the crockpot and won't come near us. There are so many fine breeds, it's hard to go wrong. You're just as well off to determine what color eggs you'd like to be receiving.

Our Leghorns lay white, and the Ameracaunas lay blue-green. The rest are all browns in varying shades.

One day I'd love to have some Black Copper Marans and get the real dark brown eggs. But those birds are pricey.

 

[Pic IN the Casa]

Buff Orpingtons are great. If you want a really cool variety look at Cubalayas.

 

[TNtrapper]

Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds here at my place. Im kinda partial to the Barred Rocks myself.