Help pick backyard breed

[LaFleche]

As they will have to bear with confinement for most of the day, I would suggest bantam Wyandottes (different colours) or/and bantam Barred Rocks.

Quite a lot of very nice breeds and colourful egg layers do not bear with confinement very well and tend to develop nasty habits when not able to forage and free range.

 

[black_cat]

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.

@CHlCKEN trained me to sing their praises.

 

[CHlCKEN]

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.

They aren’t actually more vocal than other hens. Articles just like to fuss over little things.

 

[ChickensForEggs2500]

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.

I completely agree! Have fun with the breeds. Pick ones that appeal visually to you, as well as lay many eggs. It's great when you can tell them apart! I also LOVE my Cinnamon Queen.

 

[CHlCKEN]

They aren’t actually more vocal than other hens. Articles just like to fuss over little things.

However, they are super super friendly! Curious, and full of personality!

 

[aart]

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=

It's tiny, coop is 2x'4', with what looks like a floor door for chicken access, which eats up floor space. Little to no ventilation and none appropriate for harsh winters.
Red flags everywhere with this 'coop/run'.

Letting them out in the evening might not be possible all year around,
and won't really make up for being penned all day long.
Nasty cold wind here today, even tho I opened the pop door they stayed inside and I was very grateful I had lots of space inside coop.

Agrees on 3 rather than 2 as @NatJ suggests...
...and bantams instead of large fowl as @LaFleche suggests.
Keep in mind any chicken can be rather noisy, no matter what anecdotes or charts say about behaviors.

 

[Josh-L]

Think we’ve decided to get three bantams. My little girl wants a black and white one so she can name it Oreo lol. My son says he wants a solid brown one. I guess the third is something different. What do y’all think?

 

[black_cat]

Think we’ve decided to get three bantams. My little girl wants a black and white one so she can name it Oreo lol. My son says he wants a solid brown one. I guess the third is something different. What do y’all think?

I'd recommend mottled cochin for the black and white, as cochins are very lovable and friendly. Where do you plan to get your chicks? I'd recommend MyPetChicken as they are the only hatchery that offers sexed bantams.

 

[black_cat]

I'd recommend mottled cochin for the black and white, as cochins are very lovable and friendly. Where do you plan to get your chicks? I'd recommend MyPetChicken as they are the only hatchery that offers sexed bantams.

I'd recommend a welsummer bantam for your brown one, and a bantam barred rock for your third.

 

[Josh-L]

I'd recommend mottled cochin for the black and white, as cochins are very lovable and friendly. Where do you plan to get your chicks? I'd recommend MyPetChicken as they are the only hatchery that offers sexed bantams.

Not sure where to get them. Looks like I have to order 8 if I get one from mypetchicken. I really don’t want baby chicks either. Would prefer to have them ready to put in the coop without any special stuff needed. How old do they have to be for that?