My preference is for single breed chicken keeping. I did have two separate tribes here, one Marans and one slightly dubious Old English Game. An idiot with an incubator put paid to that.I would do that if they were available in the US. I know or know of a lot of the breeders in the US and Canada. Unless someone corrects me on this, I believe I've had the largest number of black Penes in North America for several years.
So many people have pairs, trios or perhaps 10 or so birds. I think the fact that I've forsaken all other breeds in favor of these has allowed me to focus on them. In the course of a year I will range from 40 to well over 100 birds. I'm down to one primary rooster for the first time thanks to coyotes but I have almost 20 cockerels that are 4 months old. I hope to never get that low on good quality roosters.
Now I get what I get and learn to like it.