Restarted my chicken experience this year. I had chickens growing up on a farm in Michigan. We had as many as 250 at a time but di not want that experience again. The backyard small friendly chicken looked good to me. We picked the Rhode Island Reds because they are friendly pet type chickens. They have great personalities and are easy to handle. Wife really connects with her babies. We have six females and they meet all of our needs. We have an enclosed 13' by 20' pen to get them out of the back yard and well protected. Lots of racoon and cats in the area so security is a must. Sell excess to the neighbors which makes the feed cheep anyway.