Advice for Newbie on breeds?

cooty · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:14 pm **Posts:** 8

Hi there! I've wanted to keep chickens for ages and recently decided to take the leap. javascript:emoticon(':o')

Does anyone have any advice for me on what breed I should try? I'm looking to get 2-3 chicks/point of lay pullets in January. I'd prefer a docile not-too-large standard breed that is a good layer. Oh, and I'm in Canberra. Oh, and I'm looking for a pure breed. Any advice would be very appreciated!

fuzzfly · **Joined:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:42 pm **Posts:** 253

I'm fairly new to chooks myself but have kept a couple breeds.

Bantams of any breed seem docile, I have sussex, you can get a good variety of interesting colours too. I have speckled, light and buff.

Or silkies the cotton balls of the chicken world, very sweet natured, great pets. I even have a black hen I use as a therapy animal, she's very quiet and easy to handle. However they seem to appeal to some poultry hobbyists and not to others.

Both are cheap to aquire.

cooty · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:14 pm **Posts:** 8

Thanks. Quite a few people have suggested getting bantams first - so I might give them a try

Tahir · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:20 am

bantam australorps are great layers too.

chicken lova · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:35 pm

i agree. try bantams or you can also try silkie( very cute but i dont know if theyre good layers :lol:

)

County Lodge · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 2:48 pm

If you are looking for layers don't go down the silkie line. They lay about 6 to 8 eggs then go broody on you. And their feathers are not waterproof so one needs to keep them under cover. Pekins are gorgeous but agin not great egg layers due to their broodiness but lots and lots and lots of different colours and great kid poultry.

For first layers I think bantam australorps is a good one but they can be a bit boring to look at (basically black and the occasional white, and blues are nice) but great layers. Bantam wyandottes is another good one. Beautiful feathering in the silver and gold laced. Silver and gold pencilled is also nice but not as striking. Partridge wyandottes also nice. More variety in the wyandottes and they make great backyard chooks for the kids. Bantm leghorn are a bit flighty I think. Sussex bantam also nice but don't lay as well as the australorps, not sure about the comparison to wyandottes.

If you just want pure breed layers and not interested in breeding go for a couple of each. That way you should always have eggs around and bantam eggs are great for quiches and scrambled eggs etc as you use 2 to 1 large one.

cooty · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:14 pm **Posts:** 8

That's great. I was thinking of Australorps or Wyandotte standard chickens, but I think starting with bantams first is good advice. Does anyone know if bantam Australorps or Wyandottes are widely available? (I'm not interested in hatching mail order eggs - sounds scary and expensive!). Are bantams also more susceptible to cold as they are smaller than standard birds?

County Lodge · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:42 pm

Bantams are as hardy as standards. Some nice bantam australorps and wyandottes went for a reasonable price at Allora auction today.

Where about are you?

If you place and add expressing interest in the chickens wanted section someone maybe be able to help you.

cooty · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:14 pm **Posts:** 8

I'm in Canberra, but I can travel 2-3 hours maybe to pick up.

Tahir · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:04 pm

i have bantam australorps, except i think i'm a bit to far from you.

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