This breed is very easily acquired and seem like the perfect pet for your kids or yourself. In Fact my favourite hen is a Brown Star named "Piper". Be warned these chickens do not have longevity and are very susceptable to "Internal Laying". Internal laying is an incureable disorder where the hen keeps putting the yolks of her eggs in the wrong spot in her layng tract. You will often notice the hen has a hard, swollen abdomen and her clocoa feathers are all wetted down with the yolk of the eggs. Basically the bird has a serious infection in her uterous. It looks like egg binding because the hen is hunched over and not very livey. The hen will start to lose body condition and have a shallow face and her breastbone will be clearly defined. Unfortunately the only thing you can do is make sure she is drinking and eating. If you think the bird's life is no longer worth living it is best to just put them down. Dont let the bird become a cannibal victim. Chickens will often prey upon the weak. Dont let this happen to you and just dont get them. It is unfortunate that such a friendly, easy going hen will die because of this. I dont reccomend this breed for a small, backyard, family flock!