Top 5 Best Chickens for Beginners: Easy Breeds

Starting a backyard chicken flock is exciting and rewarding. It’s key to pick the right easy chicken breeds for beginners. Choose low-maintenance chickens that are friendly, adaptable, and reliable egg-layers. These breeds will make starting your chicken-keeping journey smooth and fun.

ISA Browns, also known as Golden Comets, Cinnamon Queens, Red Sex Link, or Golden Buffs, are great for beginners. They are known for their friendly nature and consistent egg-laying. Buff Orpingtons, called the “Golden Retrievers” of chickens, are also a good choice for their gentle and sweet nature.

Barred Plymouth Rocks have black-and-white speckled feathers and are docile and easy to handle. They lay an average of 250-300 brown eggs a year, making them reliable egg-layers. Easter Eggers are quirky and adaptable, adding fun and uniqueness to any flock.

Key Takeaways

• Choose easy-going, friendly, and low-maintenance breeds for your starter chicken flocks
• ISA Browns, Buff Orpingtons, Barred Plymouth Rocks, and Easter Eggers are among the best chickens for beginners
• Opt for breeds that are reliable egg-layers, such as Barred Plymouth Rocks, which produce an average of 250-300 brown eggs annually
• Consider the adaptability of the breeds to various weather conditions and their suitability for free-ranging
• Select beginner-friendly poultry that are docile, easy to handle, and have friendly personalities

Why Choose the Right Chicken Breeds for Beginners

Choosing the right chicken breeds is key for new chicken owners. It ensures a positive and rewarding experience. Start with breeds that are easy to care for and have friendly personalities. This way, you can avoid challenges and enjoy raising backyard chickens.

Importance of Starting with Easy-Going and Friendly Breeds

Beginners should start with calm and friendly breeds. Breeds like Buff Orpingtons, Barred Plymouth Rocks, and ISA Browns are great for beginners. They are easy to handle and less stressed, making them perfect for new owners.

Starting with friendly breeds helps you build confidence. It lets you enjoy interacting with your chickens. This article on picking show chicken breeds for beginners highlights the importance of choosing breeds that are friendly and easy to care for.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Beginner-Friendly Chickens

When picking chickens for your backyard, consider several factors:

• Temperament: Choose breeds known for being calm and friendly. Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, and Australorps are great for beginners.
• Egg production: Pick breeds that meet your egg needs. Rhode Island Reds and ISA Browns are excellent layers.
• Adaptability: Select breeds that can handle your local climate. Easter Eggers and Plymouth Rocks are adaptable to many weather conditions.
• Space requirements: Consider your coop and run size. Bantam breeds like Silkies need less space than larger breeds like Jersey Giants.

Many beginners prefer ISA Browns for their friendly and easy-going nature, making them suitable for first-time chicken owners.

By considering these factors and choosing beginner-friendly breeds, you’ll enjoy raising backyard chickens. Remember, starting with the right breeds is crucial for a successful chicken-keeping experience.

ISA Browns: The Friendliest Chickens for Beginners

ISA Browns are perfect for your backyard flock. They are friendly and easy for beginners to care for. Bred in France in the late 1970s, they are known for laying lots of eggs and being very friendly.

Characteristics and Temperament of ISA Browns

ISA Browns are known for being very friendly and easy-going. They love to be around people and will follow you everywhere. They are also very gentle, making them great for families with kids.

Experts at Luxe Chickens say ISA Browns are great for both new and experienced chicken keepers. They help you learn more about caring for chickens.

Egg-Laying Capabilities and Consistency

ISA Browns lay a lot of eggs, up to 300 per year. They lay about 6 eggs a week. This means you’ll always have fresh eggs from your backyard.

“ISA Browns are prolific layers, producing up to 300 eggs per year, making them an excellent choice for those looking to maximize their egg production.”

They also don’t get broody often. This means they keep laying eggs instead of sitting on them. It’s great if you want more eggs than chicks.

Adaptability to Various Weather Conditions

ISA Browns can handle different weather well. They do well in cold and hot weather. This makes them easy to care for, even for beginners.

To learn more about ISA Browns, check out this blog post from Somerzby.

ISA Brown chicks are easy to tell apart at birth. Girls have brown feathers, and boys have white. This makes it easier to avoid unwanted roosters in your flock.

Buff Orpingtons: Gentle Giants of the Chicken World

Sweet chicken breeds like Buff Orpingtons are great for beginners. They are friendly and easy to handle. This makes them perfect for new chicken keepers and families with kids.

Buff Orpingtons are called the “Golden Retrievers” of chickens. They come in colors like buff, chocolate, lavender, and blue. Their friendly nature and ability to handle different weather make them great for beginners.

These hens lay a lot of eggs, around 200 to 280 large, light brown ones a year. They might stop laying eggs sometimes, but they usually keep up well. This is great for your family’s egg needs.

“I absolutely adore my Buff Orpingtons! They are the sweetest, most gentle chickens I’ve ever had. My kids love playing with them, and we get plenty of delicious eggs.”

Buff Orpingtons are also very hardy. They can handle cold and hot weather, but they need shade in very hot places. They live for 5 to 10 years, which is a big commitment for new chicken keepers.

When buying Buff Orpingtons, keep a few things in mind:

• They are sold as baby chicks, and you need to buy at least 3.
• They are available for shipping from February to September.
• Adult hens weigh about 8 lbs, and roosters can weigh up to 10 lbs.
• The chances of getting the right gender are 85-90%, and fertility is 65-80%.

In short, Buff Orpingtons are a wonderful choice for beginners. They are friendly, lay lots of eggs, and can handle different weather. These gentle giants will surely become a favorite in your backyard flock.

Barred Plymouth Rocks: Reliable and Easy-Going Chickens

Barred Plymouth Rocks, or Barred Rocks, are a top pick for backyard chicken fans. They are easy to handle and fit well in many. Their black and white feathers make them a hit with kids.

Docile Personalities and Ease of Handling

Barred Rocks are known for being friendly and calm. They are great for beginners. They are not too outgoing but are easy to care for.

They are perfect for families with kids who love chickens. Their calm nature makes them a joy to have around.

Consistent Egg Production Throughout the Year

Barred Rocks lay eggs regularly. They give about 4-5 large brown eggs a week. That’s around 200-280 eggs a year.

This steady egg supply is great for families who love fresh eggs. Forhad Khan, CEO of Luxe Chickens, says they can lay up to 250 eggs a year.

Adaptability to Free-Ranging and Various Weather Conditions

Barred Rocks handle cold and hot weather well. They are a cold-hardy breed that can handle New England’s weather. They also do well in the heat.

They love to forage and are alert to their surroundings. This makes them great for free-range living.

Barred Rock roosters weigh about 9.5 lbs, and hens weigh around 7.5 lbs. They have yellow skin, legs, and combs. Their striking feathers make them stand out. They live for 6-8 years, making them a long-term addition to any flock.

Best Chickens for Beginners: Easter Eggers and Their Colorful Eggs

Easter Eggers are great for beginners because of their unique looks and colorful eggs. They come in many colors and patterns. Some even have “beards” that make them stand out for city chicken keepers.

Unique Appearance and Quirky Personalities

Easter Eggers have different feathers, from solid colors to fancy patterns. Some have cute “beards” or tufts on their chins. They are calm and can get friendly with time, perfect for new chicken owners and families.

Colorful Egg Production and Laying Habits

Easter Eggers lay eggs in many colors, like blue, green, and pink. They lay about 240-260 eggs a year. Hybrid ones have a 75-95% chance of blue or green eggs, with a 25% chance of peach or brown.

They start laying eggs at 20-22 weeks old. They lay five to six eggs a week. Their colorful eggs make any egg basket fun and can sell for high prices at farmers’ markets.

Adaptability to Various Climates and Broodiness

Easter Eggers fit well in many climates, making them good for city chicken keeping. They are easy to care for and rarely go broody. This means they keep laying eggs without stopping.

But, they might lay fewer eggs in winter, especially in cold places. It’s key to keep them warm and happy all year to ensure they keep laying.