Help pick backyard breed

[Josh-L]

Finally moving to a new place that the HOA will allow a limited amount of "fowl as pets." My father had chickens when I was younger and I would like to introduce my kids to them now. I will only have a 0.4 acre lot in a gated community with pretty strict HOA rules about what type of coops can he used. I'm thinking two hens will be plenty. My criteria is must be good with confinement for most of the day while I'm at work. Would like them to be quiet as possible to not get any complaints about noise also. I am in Oklahoma where we have single digit temps in the winter and triple digit temps in the summer so they need to be able to adapt to the weather. What do you all suggest I look at?

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

Maybe take a look at Salmon Faverolles, Or Barred Rocks.

 

[Josh-L]

Maybe take a look at Salmon Faverolles, Or Barred Rocks.

From some google research the Barred Rocks seem like they may be what I'm looking for.

 

[Josh-L]

Think this would be big enough for two if I let them out in the evening?

https://www.amazon.com/Hanover-HANC...ocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583726551522736&hydadcr=

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

Think this would be big enough for two if I let them out in the evening?

https://www.amazon.com/Hanover-HANC...ocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583726551522736&hydadcr=

What do you think @aart @black_cat

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Maybe buff orpingtons. In my experience, they are really sweet and gentle towards kids and just about anyone, and they lay a decent amount of eggs every year, but they go broody quite a lot, so that would affect your egg production.

 

[NatJ]

I will only have a 0.4 acre lot in a gated community with pretty strict HOA rules about what type of coops can he used. I'm thinking two hens will be plenty. My criteria is must be good with confinement for most of the day while I'm at work. Would like them to be quiet as possible to not get any complaints about noise also.

I suggest that you consider 3, instead of 2.
That way if something happens to one, you still have two.
Chickens do not do well alone.

I suggest that you get one each of 2 or 3 different breeds, so they are easy to tell apart.
Good breeds might include Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Easter Egger (sometimes mis-labeled as "Ameraucanas"), Red Sexlink (also called ISA Brown, or Golden Comet, or Red Star), Black Sexlink, Delaware.

 

[Nero70002]

Buff Orpingtons are big chonks.

 

[black_cat]

First: Two hens is probably not the best plan. Two is often below the minimum number of chicks from hatcheries and farm stores, and if one dies, then you're left scrambling to find another chicken to keep your survivor company.
I would also recommend a variety of breeds, for the reason that NatJ mentioned, as well as the fact that a variety of chicken and egg colors is just more fun! My favorites (and good beginner breeds) are:
Cochin
Easter Egger (sometimes called 'Americana')
Barred Plymouth Rock (or any plymouth rock)
White Leghorn
Orpington (usually buff, but buff is ugly IMO, so I"d go with jubilee or lavender)
Speckled Sussex
Laced Wyandotte
Ameraucana
Cream Legbar

For three chickens (I strongly advise against only two) You'll need a minimum of 30 square feet in the run and 15 in the coop. I always recommend leaving room for chicken math, however, or getting even more chickens to begin with.

 

[Nero70002]

First: Two hens is probably not the best plan. Two is often below the minimum number of chicks from hatcheries and farm stores, and if one dies, then you're left scrambling to find another chicken to keep your survivor company.
I would also recommend a variety of breeds, for the reason that NatJ mentioned, as well as the fact that a variety of chicken and egg colors is just more fun! My favorites (and good beginner breeds) are:
Cochin
Easter Egger (sometimes called 'Americana')
Barred Plymouth Rock (or any plymouth rock)
White Leghorn
Orpington (usually buff, but buff is ugly IMO, so I"d go with jubilee or lavender)
Speckled Sussex
Laced Wyandotte
Ameraucana
Cream Legbar

For three chickens (I strongly advise against only two) You'll need a minimum of 30 square feet in the run and 15 in the coop. I always recommend leaving room for chicken math, however, or getting even more chickens to begin with.

I love SS’s! I just got a chick today! Some articles I’ve read said that they can also be vocal though, but super nice.