Choosing Chooks - Total Noobs

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Hi,

We're completely new to keeping poultry and would appreciate some expert advice,
essentially, which breed to get... hadn't realised there were quite so many to choose from!

We're looking for a breed which is quiet (neighbours), calm / docile / friendly (kids), not flighty
and ideally a good layer too!

We are looking to start off with 2 or 3 hens. We have set aside a run of 12 sq metres at
one end of the garden, with a good size coop.

Any ideas of best breeds to suit our needs would be very welcome.

Many thanks,
The Fraser family.
 
First thing to decide is whether to get hybrids or purebreds.
Hybrids tick all the boxes on your list, and are easy to tame and make fantastic friendly pets. They come in a huge variety of colours and sizes, from small neat little Columbian Blacktails to larger ones like Speckledies or Rhode sussex crosses. They are bred to lay lots of eggs, but this does have a downside - they tend to lay really well for 2 years or so and then egg production drops off and often the hens don't last very long after that, being prone to soft shelled eggs and maybe even internal problems such as egg peritonitis, caused by all that heavy laying. However, they are hardy, easy to keep, usually cheaper to buy than purebreds, and a good first choice, bearing in mind that in a couple of years you'll know more about what you want to try next time.

Purebreds tend not to lay so often, but usually live to a riper old age than hybrids. Size varies enormously, from large Bhramas or Orpingtons down to tiny bantams such as Pekins or Seramas. Often more expensive, as they tend to be bred in smaller batches. You need to find some which come from a good laying strain, as some of them are really bred for showing rather than utility and may not give you quite what you want. Research your choices, and maybe attend some poultry shows to see the actual birds, if you decide to start with purebreds.
 
Oh, and I forgot - hybrids are very unlikely to go broody. A big advantage if you don't want chicks and don't want the trouble of 'breaking' them of broodiness. Some purebreds are excellent mothers but do go broody a lot, eg Silkies and Brahmas.
 
I think Black Rocks would be ideal for you. They lay well are very hardy and resistant to disease and very friendly. Isa Browns also lay well and are very tame. I also have a Barnevelder who is huge, doesn't lay as well as the Black Rocks but is beautiful and again easy to handle. Good luck with your new hens and be sure to get them from a reputable breeder or take someone with you that can pick good stock.
 
I've had my 6 hens since March (unfortunately now only have 5 due to my Barnevelder unexpectedly dying) and I had all different breeds - a French blue maran who lays most days a large egg, but she doesn't like being handled and is almost impossible to catch. A silver laced wyandotte who is quite easy to handle, but have had an aggression problem towards another bird and she is also VERY broody, the barnevelder was beautiful and minded her own business, but again impossible to catch, although when you did catch her she was happy to be held and just sat very quietly. A crested cream legbar, who is the 'top bird', very pretty, but flighty (lays a large blue egg). The other two are a buff sussex and a speckled sussex. Out of all of them, the sussex is the one I would recommend. They just stand and wait to be picked up and love being held. They are very beautiful and lay a medium sized egg regularly. It really depends on what breed your find attractive and whether you want lots of eggs, or whether hens as pets is your priority.

I was tempted to have hybrids, but decided against it when someone said they are bred to be egg laying machines and live quite short lives and shorter laying periods than the pure breeds. For me, I would rather they lived longer than layed lots of eggs, as they are also pets with individual personalities.

None of my hens make much noise, except to announce when they have laid an egg for us.
 
Just on the noise subject. The worst we have are all the Blue laced Wyandottes. If anything irritates them, particularly occupied nest boxes, they make a real racket. The other noisy hen is a Rhode Island Red who whinges about everything constantly -she's only quiet when she is eating or laying. All the others are relatively quiet, even when they have laid. I'd say occupied nest boxes are the biggest source of noise from hens -if they can't find an empty box to lay in they all get irritated. So make sure you have plenty. 2 boxes for 6 hens is not enough. Generally we have one box for every two hens.
 
Thanks to you all for your advice and suggestions.

We have spent the day at a farm getting a more up close and personal perspective and think that we'll be going for the Orpingtons (Mrs F has fallen in love with them) when we're ready to purchase. Will keep you posted on our progress!

Thanks again,
The Fraser family :D
 
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