Newbie in SoCal deciding to raise 2 chickens in my small backyard... Suggestions appreciated!!

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SoCal ChickaD

SoCal ChickaD

In the Brooder
6 Years
Nov 3, 2013
13
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Hello fellow chicken lovers! I have always wanted chickens and I am thinking of getting 2 hens to raise in my small Southern California backyard. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
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it would be better if you got 3 hens. If you only have two and you lose one - it's hard to find a new companion that will get along with the surviving hen. Chickens are flock animals and do much better with a buddy or two.
 
drumstick diva said:
welcome-byc.gif
it would be better if you got 3 hens. If you only have two and you lose one - it's hard to find a new companion that will get along with the surviving hen. Chickens are flock animals and do much better with a buddy or two.
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My niece started with three and eventually two died so she was still left with one old girl, which we took in to our flock. We have a bit of a retirement home going on here. So, with newbies being added from time to time they seem to integrate well.

I suggest that you get as many or few as you feel comfortable with. Eventually you will have a loner but can always add a new flock mate as needed. Chickens adapt pretty quickly but do best in flock environment. Have fun and welcome to BYC.
 
Thank you so much for the replies! I am looking at a coop that is suitable for 2 hens about 82Ll x 36W, with room for 2 nesting boxes. Thus, thinking of getting 2 hens. I wonder if 3 would fit? Any suggestions on what breed is best for small spaces, friendly and lays colored (blue etc.) eggs? I really want hens that do well as pets and are good egg layers...
 
Hello :frow and Welcome to BYC! If you want standard hens that lay colored eggs, EEs are probably the way to go as the hatchery ones are usually smaller and usually lay better than the Ameraucana, Legbars etc. You might consider getting bantams, they don't lay as well as the standards but some are decent layers and they are quite a bit smaller. Hendersons chicken breed chart compares a lot of common breeds.http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html#j
 

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