journey137
In the Brooder
My family is considering getting some backyard chickens mostly for eggs. We are looking at getting a mixed flock of wyandotte, Rhode Island red, barred rock, and speckled Sussex. We're in mid Missouri so it's hot and cold. Sometimes we have all four seasons in one day. There are a lot of potential predators around our house (hawks, eagles, owls, raccoons, opossums, skunks, snakes, foxes, coyotes, dogs, cats, vehicles driving on the road), but we were hoping to be able to free range while we are home and keep them in the run if we are out for the day. Right now the tentative plan is about 5 each of those breeds with a run probably 40'x40', maybe closer to 50'x50', and let them out when we are home so they can forage on our 2-3 acres. I think it would be a good idea to have a strongly protective rooster or two to help the girls survive, but I don't want them to be so aggressive that they attack my kids which will be helping with chicken chores. Those of you experienced with those breeds, could you please advise which would be the best for our situation?