I have 2 Yellow Brahma (big bids, very nice temperament, cant fly far so they need a way to get to their perch, one is still too young to lay), 1 New Hampshire Red (she's the alpha, pretty good at flying too), 2 Leghorn (well one might be a Blue Maran), one grey/blue one white (smaller, really fast, great flyers, practically impossible to catch), 1 New Hampshire (still growing and not laying yet, super sweet temperament) and 1 Belgian Bantam (also not laying yet). They hang out in groups by age.
The Bantam/Leghorn/Maran hens have a celebration every time they lay an egg which can be a bit annoying if it's 7am, but usually it's mid morning.
Other random tips, to pick them up, especially fast chicks, place your hand under their belly and let the legs hang down, don't come at them from behind or above or too fast. Laying chickens often will assume a mating pose if you go to pick them up which makes it easier and you can just grab them with 2 hands around the folded wings. They like being pet under their chins, but generally not on top of the head. Be sure to wash your hands even though they look perfectly clean.
They are all pretty spoiled, if it was a harsher situation I would stick to the small fast breeds.
Also, I give them the eggshells back, they love em and need the calcium anyway. Some folks say that encourages them to eat the eggs but I have never seen that. It's only when one gets broken by accident.
The Bantam/Leghorn/Maran hens have a celebration every time they lay an egg which can be a bit annoying if it's 7am, but usually it's mid morning.
Other random tips, to pick them up, especially fast chicks, place your hand under their belly and let the legs hang down, don't come at them from behind or above or too fast. Laying chickens often will assume a mating pose if you go to pick them up which makes it easier and you can just grab them with 2 hands around the folded wings. They like being pet under their chins, but generally not on top of the head. Be sure to wash your hands even though they look perfectly clean.
They are all pretty spoiled, if it was a harsher situation I would stick to the small fast breeds.
Also, I give them the eggshells back, they love em and need the calcium anyway. Some folks say that encourages them to eat the eggs but I have never seen that. It's only when one gets broken by accident.