Hello, new here and new to chickens.

[Mark Park]

Start with the three orps and see how it goes for a couple of months. That's what I would do. You may love keeping chickens or you may hate it.

Or two, sorry.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The reason a minimum of three is recommended is that they are social animals. If you get two and one dies the survivor is by itself. If you have three and one dies then the other two still have a buddy.

I agree that breed tendencies are all you have to go by. But I put more faith in each one being an individual than that each and every one will have identical behaviors. I find with breed tendencies that the person deciding which chickens get to mate has a lot to say about that. If they select for certain traits then those traits are enhanced. If they select against those traits, even if it is a breed tendency, then the chickens are a lot less likely to exhibit that trait.

An example: Buff Orpington have a breed tendency to go broody a lot. My two never did. They were from a hatchery. I don't know if the person at that hatchery purposely chose against their hens going broody or if it was just the luck of the draw.

You do you. Make whatever choices you want to based on your goals and knowledge instead of following other people's goals and desires. Personally I'd consider the possible bad consequences of only getting two to be much higher than the possibility that the Light Sussex is that noisy. But that is just my opinion.

 

[Bawkbok]

Ridgerunner is correct in that two might not be the best idea. We've encountered an only hen situation on three different occasions. It's difficult to console a grieving chicken. It seems to be a luck of the draw with chicken health and it's important to almost plan for the demise of one if you start with two. Just seems to be how it goes - at least for us. I wouldn't worry about the noise factor - the Sussex might turn out to be the quietest in the flock. As long as you are following local ordinances, don't worry about the noise. There's always man made noise that is more annoying than chicken noise; traffic, dogs barking, construction equipment, lawn mowers, chain saws, etc. Those noises are much more disturbing than any natural noise a chicken makes - just my opinion. Best of luck with your new flock. Chickens are therapeutic, fun, rewarding - and oh yeah -- the eggs are "free"!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Our breeder only has 2 orps available. We've read hen flocks should be a minimum 3 girls.

She does have a Light Sussex pullet same age. The breed seems ideal for us, docile, friendly, good with orps.

However....

I've read they can be quite noisy / vocal.

Breed generalizations are helpful but in the end each bird is an individual. So in this case I'd get all 3 - whether the Sussex turns out to be noisy or not, you won't know until she matures. For all you know the 2 Orps could end up being the noisy ones.

Also point of lay pullets of any breed tend to get noisier. Doesn't mean that they will continue to be that loud after, nor does it guarantee that they won't.

 

[Love Donkeys]

I noticed in the photos you are using OSB board. OSB board is water resistant not water proof. I believe you might have to put some type of water proofing on it to protect it from the manure and moisture from your poultry.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I noticed in the photos you are using OSB board. OSB board is water resistant not water proof. I believe you might have to put some type of water proofing on it to protect it from the manure and moisture from your poultry.

That shouldn't be a problem, at least for several years. My old coop had OSB walls and only the outside was painted. The inside stayed solid but it did start to rot on the outside.

 

[beany_bot]

Chickens are here! two BO and a light sussex, all beautiful and happy. Bit skittish at the moment but that was expected. Their feather condition is wonderful

 

[beany_bot]

Well it's sunset here. They were all in the ground in the corner. I've lifted them onto the roost and quite amazingly, 15 minutes later they are still up there! I'm a little concerned that they might not be happy and literally jst be stuck up there! But I am probably overthinking things.

EDIT. two hours later still all up!

 

[StinkyAcres]

Well it's sunset here. They were all in the ground in the corner. I've lifted them onto the roost and quite amazingly, 15 minutes later they are still up there! I'm a little concerned that they might not be happy and literally jst be stuck up there! But I am probably overthinking things.

EDIT. two hours later still all up!

Don't worry about it. That was the right thing to do. Chickens can't see in low light so they likely won't move until morning.

 

[beany_bot]

I think they might be stuck . It's been light for a good while here now and still haven't come down! Think I might lower the roost a touch. Maybe put another window in for extra light.

Edit: I went in and took them off the perch. I'll do the window today but give them another night at that height, see how they get on.