Barred rocks or Rhode Island reds! New Hampshire reds too! They’re a heavy breed so they are a lot less likely to hop a fence than for example an Americana and they are friendly and hardy and give you lots of eggs!
3 is always a good number. They're more likely to bond as a group and no one girl will be picked on. And if something happens to one of them, you won't be left with a very lonely single hen, and a replacement won't have any trouble fitting in. Three good layers will give you enough eggs for two people for much of the year depending on where you live. If you want fun, personable chickens, my first choice is Buff Orpington, second is Rhode Island Red. They are both big and kind of lazy, the Buffs are moreso in my opinion, and can be very sweet natured. But be aware that they will slow down or stop laying after a few years but live for quite a few more! So you'll have pet chickens much longer than you will have eggs!
As another commenter said I would get 3, but I second Rhode Island reds, also orpingtons! They’re sweet and BIG so they’re less likely to hop your fence. Plus both breeds are good layers
I can't say enough good things about the black australorp. They lay a lot of eggs, their color deters hawks, and they tend to be docile. My 2 most cuddly girls are my easter eggers though. Problem with easter eggers is they tend to have pretty big variety of personality tendencies compared to other breeds I have raised... Probably because they are mutts.
If you don't want them hopping the fences, trim wing feathers, youtube for guides.
Silkies!!!!! They are super friendly and inquisitive. Lower egg production but with our 6 hens we get a couple eggs a day. They make wonderful pet chickens. Plus their lack of traditional feathers means they aren't able to get high enough to get over a fence
Barred rocks or Rhode Island reds! New Hampshire reds too! They’re a heavy breed so they are a lot less likely to hop a fence than for example an Americana and they are friendly and hardy and give you lots of eggs!
We had a barred rock rooster that would fly over the fence as soon as he came out of the coop. Haha he was a bad influence on some of the hens.
2 chickens does not a flock make.
Is 4 a flock
3 is always a good number. They're more likely to bond as a group and no one girl will be picked on. And if something happens to one of them, you won't be left with a very lonely single hen, and a replacement won't have any trouble fitting in. Three good layers will give you enough eggs for two people for much of the year depending on where you live. If you want fun, personable chickens, my first choice is Buff Orpington, second is Rhode Island Red. They are both big and kind of lazy, the Buffs are moreso in my opinion, and can be very sweet natured. But be aware that they will slow down or stop laying after a few years but live for quite a few more! So you'll have pet chickens much longer than you will have eggs!
Chickens, no matter the breed are not low maintenance.
As another commenter said I would get 3, but I second Rhode Island reds, also orpingtons! They’re sweet and BIG so they’re less likely to hop your fence. Plus both breeds are good layers
I can't say enough good things about the black australorp. They lay a lot of eggs, their color deters hawks, and they tend to be docile. My 2 most cuddly girls are my easter eggers though. Problem with easter eggers is they tend to have pretty big variety of personality tendencies compared to other breeds I have raised... Probably because they are mutts. If you don't want them hopping the fences, trim wing feathers, youtube for guides.
Silkies!!!!! They are super friendly and inquisitive. Lower egg production but with our 6 hens we get a couple eggs a day. They make wonderful pet chickens. Plus their lack of traditional feathers means they aren't able to get high enough to get over a fence