Breed Broodiness (and free range) question

[LauraSac]

I am a newbie. I was going to get my pullets yesterday, but my seller is a high school kid with a big 4-H project that he had to work on, so he wasn't home. We're getting them on Sunday instead. I still don't know what breeds I'm getting. He has lots of varieties of chicks, but I want sexed pullets since I can only have hens in my city limits. (He's pretty confident in his ability to sex, but he will let me return it should the Eve turn out to be an Adam.)

Anyway, I'll have some limits on breed choices, based on what he has at 8-weeks or older. I know he has one Barred Rock at that age that he is saving for me. He also has lots of RIR. I was leaning toward also getting a Buff Orpington, because they're supposed to be sweet, but I also read that they're prone to broodiness. For me, that's not a good since I won't ever be able to increase the size of my flock (max 3 allowed). I've read about breaking a hen's broodiness, but I don't know if that's a huge ordeal or if it's something I'll be able to handle.

He also has Buttercups which are gorgeous and apparently not prone to broodiness. I was interested in this breed, then I read that they're flighty and prefer free range. I have a good size run, but they'll only be free range with supervision. We have a lot of hawks, and dogs on the other side of two of the three sides of our backyard fence (six foot). We also have dogs, but will have control over their interactions. Night time predators aren't as big an issue here, and the only time any of my neighbors have lost their hens was during the day when they were free ranging.

So anyway, I'd like your opinions/experience with various breeds regarding being a true backyard chicken. A California sized backyard. Here are some of the breeds he may have available:

Rhode Island Red
Buff Orpington
New Hampshire
Barred Rock
Golden Sex Link
Buttercup
Copper Marans

He has some others, too, but I don't recall what they are. I was thinking all heritage breeds, but what I really want are happy, healthy hens.

Suggestions? He may not have all of the above at 8 weeks, so my choice may be made for me, but if you advice, I'd appreciate it.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

If broodiness is a problem, I would avoid the Orpington. Some never go broody, but almost every single Orp hen I've had has. I would go for the Buttercup. Breed descriptions are really just general guidelines (for example, White Leghorns are also described as flighty. I've only ever had 2, but they were both very friendly girls and I'll likely add a few more to my layer flock this year). With you only having 3 hens, I'd imagine they'll all get a lot of interaction with you. It should be easy for you to tame them down and she'll likely be quite content in a good sized run with supervised free range time.

Good luck, enjoy your new chickens when you get them!

 

[LauraSac]

If broodiness is a problem, I would avoid the Orpington. Some never go broody, but almost every single Orp hen I've had has. I would go for the Buttercup. Breed descriptions are really just general guidelines (for example, White Leghorns are also described as flighty. I've only ever had 2, but they were both very friendly girls and I'll likely add a few more to my layer flock this year). With you only having 3 hens, I'd imagine they'll all get a lot of interaction with you. It should be easy for you to tame them down and she'll likely be quite content in a good sized run with supervised free range time.

Good luck, enjoy your new chickens when you get them!

Thank you! It is different, I know, having such a small flock. I'll have a lot of interaction with each of them each day, so I hope that with any issues. I may end up with a breed I hadn't considered at all once I get there. It's a small family farm, and I talked to the mom for quite a while yesterday. She said they'd help with our choices. She wasn't sure what he had available at the age we want, but she and her husband will be there, but their son has been selling chickens for quite a while now, so I think they'll be helpful.