Welcome to BYC, Chrissy! Chickens make great and useful pets, and each one has its own personality. Sometimes a flock will behave just like the kids at your school! Other times they will surprise you. There is never a dull moment.
Welcome to BYC! Buff Orpingtons are the one breed I will always have in my flock. I'm trying out some Jubilee and BBS Orpingtons this year to join them.
You have some nice breeds in your flock. Jubilee Orpingtons look something like your Speckled Sussex and would be a nice docile addition. You might like one of the other Orpington colors like buff, lavender, or chocolate or blue/black splash. Buff, Light, or Dark Brahmas would be another...
Welcome to BYC. I love your Orpington flock! They make wonderful beautiful and docile chickens, and won't tend to fly out of your pen areas like my Wyandottes do. My Buff Orpingtons will be six in March and I usually have one of the three go broody every year.
1 egg today from one of the six bantams. The 5-year old Buff Orpingtons (as of last March) are taking the winter off. My 7-month old Brahmas and Wyandottes haven't started laying yet (except for a single egg last week). We don't have enough natural light yet, and most winter days are cloudy...
Thank you so much! The d'Uccle rooster is beardless and has darker colors (including chestnut/mahogany) than the lighter OEGB hens, so the resulting color will be interesting.
I figure it is still early in the year, and weather can always negatively impact a few days exercise. Hang in there and do what you can when you can, and you'll do well.
I'm hoping to average over 10,000 steps a day for the whole year. I've done that before, but it was 8 or 9 years ago.
Welcome to BYC. I agree with the other posters about finding a better long-term coop solution. I have one of the small coops that I bought used for $30. I plan to use it as a brooder this year.