I have read that the gateway animal in farming is a chicken. In my experience, this is a true addage. Our first flock consisted of five silkies. I thought they would be cute. They were. My husband thought they looked like muppets. Hahaha! Not too long after they started laying a friend sold me five black Orpingtons (love this breed). They were all great, but after months of collecting only a few eggs a day, paying for chicken food, and still buying eggs I figured enough was enough. 

It was at that point I made the decision to purchase 20 Buff Orpingtons. My husband thought I was crazy, but we needed to stop buying eggs. I mean, they are relaxing to watch, but the reason to have them is so that we can eat farm fresh eggs...only.