What breed should I get in a tiny backyard?

Aww.. your buffs sound so cute! Do you happen to know how much space they require at minimum?

Bantam buff Orpingtons don't need much space. Full sized Orps do

alyssaallycat said:

Do Easter eggers do well in small spaces?'

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Mine do just fine! I raised mine from chicks and they are very well socialized: they will run right up to you and follow you everywhere!

alyssaallycat said:

Baby chick time is upon us... but as a first time chicken owner I'm not sure what breed to get. I live in a cold Pacific Northwest climate where it rains frequently. I want a friendly chicken that won't make a lot of noise, doesn't require a lot of space in a TINY backyard, that is pretty tolerant of children, and rhat would not object to being in a run for 21 out 24 hours in a day. Any sugestions?

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Marans from an English strain that isn't feather legged. they are basically a swamp chicken. When I had my English cuckoo Marans they laid those lovely dark eggs. Said to be salmonella free eggs because if their reputedly thicker shells. My clean legged Marans loves to walk around in the water and did well in rain and snow. I did cover my run. That's important. Just use a nice tarp. Yes, I know the Marans folk will say they aren't real Marans because they don't have feathers on their legs. That is a cultural thing. In France , the Marans are pastured and the feathered legs aren't a problem. In England, the Marans are yarded in pens. . Feathered legs and feet get dirty and damaged in yarded circumstances. English strains which have clean legs and are known for their dark egs are Ripley, Fitch and Fugate. I know flocks of pure strains of these three still exist around the USA. Check online. I found mine to be good winter layrs and busy little girls. No need for a rooster for eggs.
http://www.maransofamericaclub.com/cuckoo-marans.html
extensive history of Marans forum, try looking here in this UK forum:
http://forums.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1922&start=135
critter run : contact info and ( outdated?) price list http://www.oocities.org/fang772002/Pricelist.txt ( I believe they have Fugate Marans.).
http://www.oocities.org/fang772002/featheredfriends.html ( older website with pic of Fugate eggs).
localharvest page on critter run: http://www.localharvest.org/critter-run-M6849
Best,
Karen

So Easter eggers, English marans, austrolorps, silkies, and buff Orpington are on the list. Thank you guys for responding, and add to my list if you have a chicken that you think would suit the requirements!!

Cochins?

alyssaallycat said:

So Easter eggers, English marans, austrolorps, silkies, and buff Orpington are on the list. Thank you guys for responding, and add to my list if you have a chicken that you think would suit the requirements!!

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While some large fowl do tolerate close quarters better others, they still need room. At least 4 sq ft of coop space per bird, and at least 10 sq ft of run space. Bantam breeds need much less space, but are usually available as sexed pullets. Most bantam breeds only need about 2 sq ft of coop space and 6 to 8 sq ft of run per bird.