Michigan to Oregon is quite a move too!

I didn't decide. One day, my husband surprised me with four hens, one rooster, and a pair of young Pekin ducks! So he picked them out.

After that, it was what was offered at the local bazaar that we liked or what the birds raised themselves.

We did buy some fertile eggs from a neighbor once to extend our flock and add under a broody hen when she wasn't sitting on many eggs. The hen doesn't care who laid the egg. Broody hens will often steal other hen's eggs to add to her nest. It is something that has to be watched so that she doesn't keep adding ones that would hatch too late and be abandoned.

In America you have so many choices as you can just order them through the mail and have them delivered! Decide what characteristics you want, what you want them for (meat, eggs, or both) and read up on the breeds you see offered.

Don't get overwhelmed by all the info on chickens and their health concerns out there. It can easily seem like they are difficult. They aren't. Learn some. Dive in. And then continue to learn more is the best way to do it. 99% of the problems I have read about I have never actually experienced. And I have read other experienced chicken owners say the same.

The main concern (other than being kept in clean, spacious conditions) is making sure that other things don't eat them. Take that seriously. Especially in America. You guys have raccoons. Those guys are smart and love chicken. I am so glad we don't have them!

Good luck with your new adventure! And thank you for reading and commenting!