I have a tiny yard AND I want chickens

[Alecia Davidshofer]

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and to Backyard Chickens!

I would go for 2 or 3 Black Australorps. Many call the stealth chickens since they are fairly quiet. The square feet amounts quoted in the thread are ideals actually. You can raise happy chickens in much smaller space--If you consider what they get in an egg battery, you are doing much better with what you have available(1 square foot per chicken is generous in a battery)

Omg the egg battery!!! Hate them...i cry ever time i watched a clip of a factory

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. When it comes to establishing a flock, 3 is be3tter than 2 - that way if something happens to 1 there are still two left for company.

 

[Thehappyheifer]

I suggest the lap chicken: the silkie. Silkies are "true bantams", so they are tiny. For the most part , mine aren't very noisy and they're very friendly.

 

[HfgChicken]

Silkies are the best. your kids will love them. I have 2 they lay smaller eggs and as Thehappyheifer said they LOVE cuddling . you can buy some chicken diapers on them and let them in the house every once in a while too . I will warn you, you need to make sure that whatever coop you get make sure it is secure from any rodent.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Welcome from New Orleans. Here most of our houses are raised, we are actually 5' off the ground, most are 3'. (enough to do what we did, just a little less comfortable for the humans). We used a portion under our house to build a 8' by 8' coop with nesting boxes attached to a 15' by 8' run and roosting area. Our hens are let out at daylight to roam a sizable yard until dusk. We currently only have 6 hens, but have had 16 in the past with no problems. Point being you have room for 3 hens, if you can use a portion under your house or if your coop is raised so they can use the area under the coop to roam. Good luck, keep us updated on how your project goes and please don't hesitate to ask questions.

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Dena Welcome!

Having 5 x bantams .. put me down as a tick in the 'Yes Bantams' column Agreed that they do and can go broody but that is manageable and they are such little sweethearts.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

One the hardest part of being a BYCer is , sometimes you get so much info. This is good, it gives you lots of options and all you have to do is sit back and decide which option or pieces of options will work best for you. Good luck, what ever you decide you can make a more informed decision and I know you will enjoy having chickens, no matter which are best for your family.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would hesitate to go with ANY bantam that has a reputation for being broody. Especially Silkies or Cochin.

I would go for 2 or 3 Black Australorps. Many call the stealth chickens since they are fairly quiet.

Agreed with above posters. I would absolutely avoid Silkie or cochin. Most bantams (AFAIK) have a tendency to broodiness. Silkies are parasite magnets because of their feather design. They are also prone to neurological problems b/c of their vaulted skull. And Cochin... both breeds have feathered feet. While some folks like feathered feet, I think they are more prone to tracking mud into the nest box. Do some thread searches for bantam breeds (I think that with your small yard, bantam is the best way for you to go) and then, when you have narrowed that selection down, do some research on each breed you are considering. I would go for a trio of pullets/chicks, not a pair.

Be sure that your zoning laws allow chickens. I would NOT choose to have an indoor chicken of any breed. They produce an incredible amount of dander. This is an oily silty airborn mess that will cover every surface, including vertical ones! Chicken dander is extremely hard on the lungs. In addition, keeping a chicken indoors does not allow her to engage in her natural behaviors of digging and scratching. If a chicken is not allowed to be a chicken, you will most likely have a neurotic self destructive animal on your hands.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you've joined us! Like most everyone else, I also recommend bantams There are still so many breeds to choose from but like others said, you can't go wrong with silkies