Recommendations for a very small (2-4 birds) flock

[hkirchn]

I like my Speckled Sussex, they are very quiet and lay very well

 

[Acre4Me]

I've considered the Jersey Giants. Do you have yours confined to a run or free ranging?

Mine are confined to a run. They cannot (or won’t) fly over the 4’ fence that other chickens will fly over. They do well in the run. They are attractive and large. We do feed a 20% grower to all the birds, with OS on side, and the JG are almost fully grown. I think they grow until around 18 months. I should weigh ours now that they are 16 mo thx old. I’ll try to post some pics later.

Of note: if you get the JG from a breeder/source that produces actual “giants” -at least to APA size, then you will need to make sure pop door is big enough to get through, the nest boxes are a bit larger (both taller and wider than usual), and the roost situation takes into account their size. For example, we have a ladder style roost system. The lowest roost is flat and only about 1-1.5’ above coop floor. They can hop up easily to highest roost. But, when getting down in morning can hop short distances to the floor. All roosts above lowest are the narrow side of 2x4 bc we had a major breast blister on the male JG last winter bc roosts too wide and causing rubbing on keel bone, resulting in big plug and infection. He’s better and breeder confirmed the wide roosts caused the breast blister. Only a few breeds are really large, with the largest being JG (according to APA), so a few mods might be necessary.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Mine are confined to a run. They cannot (or won’t) fly over the 4’ fence that other chickens will fly over. They do well in the run. They are attractive and large. We do feed a 20% grower to all the birds, with OS on side, and the JG are almost fully grown. I think they grow until around 18 months. I should weigh ours now that they are 16 mo thx old. I’ll try to post some pics later.

Of note: if you get the JG from a breeder/source that produces actual “giants” -at least to APA size, then you will need to make sure pop door is big enough to get through, the nest boxes are a bit larger (both taller and wider than usual), and the roost situation takes into account their size. For example, we have a ladder style roost system. The lowest roost is flat and only about 1-1.5’ above coop floor. They can hop up easily to highest roost. But, when getting down in morning can hop short distances to the floor. All roosts above lowest are the narrow side of 2x4 bc we had a major breast blister on the male JG last winter bc roosts too wide and causing rubbing on keel bone, resulting in big plug and infection. He’s better and breeder confirmed the wide roosts caused the breast blister. Only a few breeds are really large, with the largest being JG (according to APA), so a few mods might be necessary.

Thank you so much for all the information! They are on my short list. Ultimately it is my boss's decision, but I know my input means a lot as well.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

I like my Speckled Sussex, they are very quiet and lay very well

Oh yeah I was hoping someone with Sussex would chime in. How are they with confinement? Free ranging will be minimal. I do love the look of the Speckled Sussex. Are all the colors similar in personality?

 

[BantyChooks]

There are many breed that would fit what you want. Personally, I recommend Chanteclers, but I am a bit biased. All the breeds mentioned in this thread would be a good fit too. Good luck!

 

[sunrise.superman]

Wyandottes and cochins are the sweetest and friendliest of my flock of 13 mixed breeds and consistent layers. Jury still out on the 3 young new Welsummers.

 

[Mimi13]

I am gonna vote for BO and Red Stars (sexlink). My first four girls (2 BO & 2 sexlinks) were completely confined for 18 months and they were perfectly fine. Now that they free range I usually can find them in the run or under my deck. Both are wonderful breeds.

 

[so lucky]

Just wondering if you are to be the caretaker, and if there will be someone to care for them when you aren't working? (The Debbie Downer in me comes out occasionally)

 

[Acre4Me]

Thank you so much for all the information! They are on my short list. Ultimately it is my boss's decision, but I know my input means a lot as well.

Here are some BJG pics:

the Male and female at about 4 months old.
(this is when the roosts were on the flat side. We ended up turning them to the narrow side due to breast blister. But rounded bars or tree branch roosts would also work well).

The next two pics are when the BJG male was about 12-13 months old. next to a regular size Legbar.

And in front of a regular sized SLW. BTW, the coop is elevated 2.5' above the ground, so you can see how tall he is at around 1 year old!! But, he is very handsome. He is taller now at 16 months.

 

[MROO]

I do love my Easter Eggers. I just know my girls LOVE to be outside and that's not going to be much of an option here. They will have plenty of run space, but they won't be free ranging.

Sadly I'll still have to work during the day and can't just sit and watch the chickens. I haven't convinced him of that yet!

Job Description: Chicken Sitter!