[F1schuey]

I am taking this very seriously, but after reading huge amounts of books and info on keeping Chickens, I was wondering what age you would recommend me keeping. Obviously the younger the more care and heat they need.  I will be keeping the Chickens in a coop, but hopefully allowing them to be free range on the secure garden during the day.  I do live rurally and have taken precautions against foxes for evening and twilight hours as best I can, my husband is going to make a large run for them for if I go out during the day, so they are not cooped up. 
So basically after looking at loads of breeds and info... need help choosing a breed and the best age for me to keep being a novice I want my birds to be as happy and healthy as possible.

[Casey76]

For a beginner get POL (point of lay).  The birds will be between a 18 and 22 weeks old, and will be ready to lay in a couple/few weeks (normally).

[joyfull]

I agree point of lay (some breeders class age 14 - 24 weeks as this) and I would choose a hardy breed for a first timer. Make sure the run you get will provide at least 2 square meters of run space per bird which helps prevent boredom and it's associated problems (bullying, egg eating etc) 

[F1schuey]

Thanks for that advice,  What breed would you suggest.  Sussex??? Im not looking to keep designers birds, just a well rounded, strong Happy Bird

[joyfull]

it depends on whether you want egg laying machines or a bird that will lay less eggs per week but over a longer period. Most pure breeds will stop laying in winter (after their first season) whereas a warren/goldline will lay continuously throughout for a couple of years. Light Sussex are a pretty looking bird and hardy as are blackrocks and bluebelles. However black rocks and bluebelles are registered names and should only be bought from registered breeders otherwise you could end up with something completely different.

[F1schuey]

No Im not having these for laying, I am such an animal lover,  and should we get a few get it will be great, I am more looking forward to being in the garden with them.  Im unable to move far, but can think of nothing better than spending time outside with them. After being introduced to a friends chickens and finding them so cheeky.... I waited well over six months to make sure it wasnt a spur of the moment thing.  Just been looking at Warrens and the Silkies... too  I dont want to make a mistake and buy on looks alone.

[joyfull]

silkies are renown for going broody so you definitely wouldn't get many eggs of them. They often though don't like the rain so may need their run covering over. Have you though of something like a buff orpington - very big fluffy birds that lay medium sized eggs?

[F1schuey]

I shall read up on those now.... good thing for me is I'm not in a rush so thank you for any ideas on breed or advice

[helens-hens]

As a relative newbie myself (had my 1st 2 last April) 2 attributes I would recommend looking for are hardiness and friendlyness. When you first start, as you say, you want a gentle introduction and be able to enjoy your birds and not be worrying or having to chase them around the garden if e.g. you need to examine them!

If you haven't already come across it, Omlet have got a good section on the different breed types:
http://www.omlet.co.uk/breeds/breeds.php?breed_type=Chickens

Good luck!

[F1schuey]

will look at that Helen.  Do you have any problems with Vermin??? Im having a raised coop and intend to be very vigilant with cleaning... is there anything you can advise me about Rats,Mice etc.?

[helens-hens]

Hi F1schuey. I haven't seen any mice yet (though apparently hens are quite good with dealing with these themselves!) just 1 rat. However I am fairly sure the rat has been attracted by spilt wild bird seed (I have seen it in an area underneath where the hanging feeders are.

My hens run is placed on top of concrete slabs which should stop anything digging its way in. In the daytime their food is only inside this run and is removed & brought inside at night. Also I keep their food supplies inside. This seems to have prevented problems (so far!).

The other thing to be v.aware of is foxes. Do make sure your run is secure (use proper thick gauge weldmesh not chicken wire to help ensure a fox can't bite their way through. Depending on how secure your garden is even be wary if you are out in the garden.

Hope this helps

[ManicMum]

You might like to look at a mxture of hens of different breeds to give you a variety of coloured and patterned plumage around the garden - some breeders have me than one type so you could buy them together to avoid introductions.

[Lindeggs]

You might like to look at a mxture of hens of different breeds to give you a variety of coloured and patterned plumage around the garden - some breeders have me than one type so you could buy them together to avoid introductions.

This is what I am planning and I'm really looking forward to getting my lovely ladies.

F1schuey, I don't (quite) have my hens yet, but I have been researching for several months and it sounds like you have very much the same criteria as I do. Two differences: I do want plenty of eggs, and I live in NZ so my climate requirements and breeds/strains available are a little different to yours.

My key criteria were hardy, docile, friendly breeds that wouldn't try to leap over the fence every time I sneeze!  For this reason I discounted Leghorns and other light meditteranean breeds.

I have ended up choosing three docile, hardy, heavy breeds:
Light Sussex
Barnevelder
Barred Plymouth Rock

Others that made my short-list but were discounted on the basis they have a reputation for going broody and/or might not be happy in our hot, humid summers:
Wyandotte (Gold and Silver Laced)
Orpington
Speckled Sussex

If you're not too bothered about eggs, I would definitely consider bantam breeds.  Full of personality and often very keen for human interaction.  A pretty wee silkie bantam would have been on my list if eggs weren't so important to me.

Another consideration is whether you need to do any "grooming."  Like a long-haired cat or dog, some of the more feathery breeds need your help to stay clean and not end up matted with mud and poo, and some even need you to trim their 'hair' so they can see out!

[Lindeggs]

Oh, I just thought of some other stuff I want to say!

On the issue of pure/heritage breeds vs hybrids, obviously I came down on the side of heritage breeds.  From what I have read, hybrids are often lovely, affectionate birds towards humans and very reliable egg-layers. 

BUT they are designed to live a relatively short, very productive life and are often prone to reproductive disorders as a result of the strain on their systems.  Also they can be very territorial and aggressive to hens of other breeds (I'm not sure if that is true of all strains - a local person may be able to help more with that one).

As for age, I have chosen to get my pullets a little younger than point of lay, because socialising them to humans is so important to me. 

If possible, visit prospective breeders in advance and ask to meet the adult birds who will be the parents of yours.  I did that recently and was interested to see the breeder chasing the pullets around an enclosure with a large net when someone came to buy them.  All the birds were scared of humans and would scatter as soon as a person came near the fence.

Obviously large-scale breeders don't have time to sit with all their birds and hand-feed them, so the younger you get them the earlier you can begin to shape their human interactions.

[jinty1911]

I have 3 Silky/Sussex girls and they are pretty and friendly and follow me round the garden and come when they are called but are very broody.