New to Owning Chickens

[Macto]

Hello all, my mother and I have been considering buying some chickens for my backyard. We have a good size backyard, spacious enough for a small chicken coop that can hold 2-4 chickens and a small run. We only want about 2 chickens for producing eggs. We do live in a neighborhood with a strict HOA, who says no live poultry but my boyfriends father (who is a farmer himself) told me that I could get away with it if I just got only hens and quieter breeds.

I have been researching lately what breeds are on the more quiet and friendly end, and the most popular ones that came up were the Australorp and the Orpington. Now I've had trouble finding whether these two are the more quiet breed or not. I've read mixed reviews about both breed. I do have to say about 75% - 85% do agree they are the more quieter, docile, weather hardy, and family friendly chickens. But then I watched some Youtube videos and in some of them those two breeds kinda made a lot of noise which makes me unsure about the noise level of both breeds. I assume it just depends on their personality... but correct me if I'm wrong.

I'd just like ya'lls comments and opinions about these two breeds of Chickens or what kinds of breed you personally know would work for my situation.

Also which one do y'all think I should start off with? Chick, Pullet or full grown Hen? Personally I think younger cause I'd love for them to bond with me and my mother who I live with currently. I do already know about how much time and money this all will cost but I have a feeling it be worth it in the end.

 

[sourland]

understand that at various points in their life cycle all chickens can be a bit noisy. Orpingtons and Australorps are GENERALLY among the more mellow breeds. Start with three rather than two. That way if one dies (and eventually one will) two remain as company for one another.

 

[Macto]

Thank you!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. As much as I like chickens, I would not recommend getting them if your HOA prohibits them. Some of our members do have "stealth" chickens, but sooner or later, some cranky neighbor will likely report you and you will be forced to get rid of your flock and tear down your coop. If you do get hens, Australorps and Orpingtons are generally among the quieter breeds (as chickens go) although there can always be a noisy exception with any breed. Other breeds that have a well deserved reputation for being quiet (as chickens go) are Brahmas and Silkies. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. If you do go ahead and get some hens, good luck with your neighbors.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

You may consider "house chickens," the bantam breeds are small and accept confinement well. Among those are the Silkie breed however, they are nearly impossible to sex before 4-5 mos. of age. So to insure you don't get a rooster, you would have to get older birds.

There is a very good thread called " people with house chickens." Two birds would not be hard to care for. Silkies do not look like ordinary chickens, from a distance many people think they are small dogs. It is likely you could pass them off as exotic birds like cockatoos or parrots.