Is a 1-5 rooster to hen ratio a bad idea?

[new2pheasants]

Thank you ridgerunner for that awesome post, these chickens will have a very close eye on them so if any issues happen they will be dealt with before they escalate, a much as is in my power anyways. I've kept a very wide variety of animals over the years and done some breeding so I know how it can be and I'm prepared to doctor animals to a degree. Although I have more experience with ducks, pheasants, turkeys, peacock's, birds of prey and exotic parrots. I love birds and I think its time I try my hand with chickens.

So someone told me Black Copper Marans and not a people friendly chicken, which is what I'm hoping for as young children are looking forward to this as much as the adults. The Plymouth rocks that my husband wanted are not common around us and I just wanted a common cheaper bird to do some hatching eggs for the kids and make up numbers.

Here are some breeds that are easy to find in my area if anyone wants to comment on a good second choice. These are all from heritage breeders who advertise solid stock but I also have a local auction I can check out but you never really know with them, some people lie.
Dark Brahmas
Orpington
Road island reds
Americana
Black stars
Black copper marans

Thank you for all your help and input

 

[new2pheasants]

Hey, if you can get BCM's for $1, go for it.  In other places, they are much more pricey.

I know thats why they were top of my list originally, there everywhere, a local sale has 10, 6 week olds for 5$, right now they are cheap birds.
I'm in Vancouver BC and the city gave the go on backyard coops and people went a little crazy on a few breeds and now you can find at times cheap or free organic chicken. As people breed, don't want to butcher their 'pets' and don't know what to do with the extras, so auction or craigslist.

Black copper marans, frizzles, road island reds and many bantam breeds are easy finds.