Are you planning on getting a brahma rooster? They are HUGE.
I bought 4 sexed female chicks (couple other breeds too), I ended up with only 3 pullets and a rooster. I had to give him away, I live in the city...at 20 weeks old he was massive compared to the girls. I swear he ate twice as much too. Just a hint that you might want to buy 5 chicks in case you get a rooster that you don't want to keep. You could even buy several more than that in the beginning, and sell the ones you don't want at 3-4 months old. Pullets are easy to sell. I also have a 4 x4 coop, but with nestboxes built on the outside of the 4x4. They are only in there to sleep at night and they take up about a third of the 4 foot roosting bar, because they cram together for warmth.
My large breed chickens are so big that I have had multiple cats come into our yard, watch the chickens just for a bit, then leave in a hurry because they decided that although they sound and smell like prey, they are just too darn big.
I think bantam brahmas would be a good choice (they are supposed to be one of the largest bantams) because you can have more chickens then. I've read they lay pretty decent sized eggs. I think the standard size would be the best choice if you are going to free range them, because of predators (maybe just cats and hawks...I don't think racoons&dogs would care if the chicken was big)
I bought 4 sexed female chicks (couple other breeds too), I ended up with only 3 pullets and a rooster. I had to give him away, I live in the city...at 20 weeks old he was massive compared to the girls. I swear he ate twice as much too. Just a hint that you might want to buy 5 chicks in case you get a rooster that you don't want to keep. You could even buy several more than that in the beginning, and sell the ones you don't want at 3-4 months old. Pullets are easy to sell. I also have a 4 x4 coop, but with nestboxes built on the outside of the 4x4. They are only in there to sleep at night and they take up about a third of the 4 foot roosting bar, because they cram together for warmth.
My large breed chickens are so big that I have had multiple cats come into our yard, watch the chickens just for a bit, then leave in a hurry because they decided that although they sound and smell like prey, they are just too darn big.
I think bantam brahmas would be a good choice (they are supposed to be one of the largest bantams) because you can have more chickens then. I've read they lay pretty decent sized eggs. I think the standard size would be the best choice if you are going to free range them, because of predators (maybe just cats and hawks...I don't think racoons&dogs would care if the chicken was big)
