First flock, choice of breeds and number of chickens

[Hummingbird Hollow]

My Barred Plymouth Rocks are the most inquisitive and people friendly of the 4 breeds that I own (BPR, White PR, Black Jersey Giants and Wellsummers). However, the downside to that is that they'll come up to me and peck at my foot or leg or even jump into my lap if they think I'm holding out on the chicken treats. They let me pick them up with much less fuss than the others, but that peck can be pretty hard. So, if you are talking little kids, you don't want a chicken that is so bold it might grab for a shiny hair tie or peck the hand that's feeding it.

 

[debid]

I'd also consider the Dominique -- all of the character of a barred Rock in a slightly smaller package (though still LF size). Mine was a lap chicken from the get-go and the rose comb is supposed to be less prone to freezing.

 

[The Breaker]

I have had all of those breeds but the bared rock and I love them all and have heard very good things about the bared rocks.

 

[HiddenHens987]

I have 2 barred rocks in my flock and they are wonderful! They have stopped laying as they molt but when they were laying, the eggs were considerably larger then my RIR. They also started laying about 4 weeks earlier then my RIR. I'm adding a couple more to the flock this spring!

 

[Tressa27884]

So this will be my first flock of chickens. We live in a suburban/rural (our subdivision is more suburban) on a 1/4 acre lot. I am in the middle of building a largish tractor (12ft long and 3ft wide overall-the house is 3'x4' and the run is 3'x8'). From what I gather this should house four hens fairly well.

I have a two year old daughter and a twelve year old son. I love my Brahma and my Cochins. They're both 'big' birds, but my kids can pick them up, fall on them, whatever and doesn't bother them in the least. My Cochin rooster is the mellowest bird I've ever met - both the cochin and the brahma will hang out in the house if we leave a door open. I can't tell you the number of times I've walked in and found a chicken on my sofa.....

Where do you live?