Space rules. Of course with bantams you can get away with having a larger breeding flock, but if you're a true backyard, like me, even with bantams you start with a small flock and see what develops. I don't think I'm planning on showing anytime in the near future, but I feel it's important at least to produce birds to the standard and not some disasters I just brought in a trio of bantam cochins this year and have a small flock goingThis is a super casual curiosity question, didn't feel worthy of a new thread so hopefully its ok here.
If you are getting into breeding for the first time and want to breed to standard, how many birds do you start out with? Do you get just one breeding pair and go from there, multiple pairs, or something like several hens and one cock/cockerel? Do you only purchase from one breeder, or do you bring in birds from multiple lines/breeders?