My family joined a pilot program in Elgin, IL to keep backyard hens (up to 4 hens, no roosters). After building our coop (per city code), I went down to the Midwest Heritage Poultry conference in Silex MO and picked up 3 New Hampshire 13 week pullets from a local breeder.
Not knowing a lot about poultry, the selection was more about their appearance and trusting the knowledge & experience of the breeder rather than anything else.
That said, the hens have been really great. They are gentle, friendly, and pretty quiet. I find it amazing how they just go up into the coop all by themselves when it gets dark and go to sleep on the roost. Then come down in the morning and scratch in the run. They have their own little routine.
I'm surprised at how much they eat, given their size and how quickly they mature. No eggs yet, but perhaps in another few weeks. It's a shame we can't do breeding and develop a better flock on our own given city restraints, but it is good practice nonetheless for life in retirement on a farm later on.
