I have only ever lost little bitty chicks to the cat, even the bantams have done OK surviving while free ranging.
As for fencing the garden - mine can fly well enough to scale chicken wire fences (if they were 6' they might not be able to though). I pur bird netting over their run and the little boogers are still figuring ways out. I have one that is a houdini - I have never been able to keep her in. Once time I watched her flatten herself out and squeeze between two sections of chicken wire (that were sandwiched together), and another time had to rescue her because she was up underneath the tarp that was covering the hoop coop - it was tied down quite snugly! I have no idea how she does it. She's been known to disappear then show up a few weeks later with umpteen chicks in tow :roll: .
The one sitting on the eggs day and night is likely broody - I get a couple each year. Some breeds are better for it (if you want it) while others are bred to not go broody. I like to hatch out a few chicks each year because I love watching the process of the mama hen raising up the bitties, not to mention their immunity tends to be better if they can get out and start scratching in the dirt from day 1. I have even gone so far as to take a scoopful of dirt from around the coop and put it in with store bought chicks so they can have that one up as well (supposedly if they get exposed to things like Cocci on day 1 or 2 they develop natural immunity). The other reason is I have some rock star roosters that I don't think I could ever replace (both looks and temperament) and I am trying to keep their genetics in my flock.
I would love a few ducks waddling around, but not until I can have a pond of our own... I don't want to deal with a kiddie pool of nasty water each day, although Pinterest has some neat ideas for making that chore less of a chore.
Oh, as for chicken breeds. My roosters that I am so fond of are Blue Laced Red Wyandottes. The first generation of hens (I had a trio) died from sour crop, so evidently there was something wrong with them there, but their off spring don't seem to be having any trouble (and I have 3 generations worth). The first rooster I still have - he's about 6 years old and showing his age. I think I am going to have to cull him pretty soon. He's big, and I think his weight is taking it's toll on his ankles (do chicken's have ankles??). He's having a harder time getting around and doesn't seem to be able to even mount the hens anymore. His son has a much better strut so I am hoping whatever health issues I had with them will be limited to that first generation trio I was given. My friend favors Golden Comets for layers (they go by a variety of names), but I like a bit more variety for my yard ornaments. I have Dominiques (not sure why, but they have been favorites), Easter Eggers (SO fun to get blue and green eggs! not to mention their coloring is so varied... I even have one I have dubbed my Duck Dynasty hen b/c she has a big black beard! :lol: ), and a few mutts that have been mixes of BLRW, Black Australorp and who knows what else. I want Buff and Lavender Orps so bad, but for some reason can't keep the Buffs alive (not anything with the breed... total fluke stuff like snakes, dogs, poor temp control in the brooder, etc.). <br /><br /> __________ Wed May 04, 2016 9:59 pm __________ <br /><br /> Oh. and yeah, they lay at random times during the day... and if they free range they do find some fun hiding spots! Thankfully they are so proud of their accomplishment that they will let you know when they are done with a loud chorus of cackles... when I hear them coming from where they shouldn't be I go investigate and have successfully found a number of nests.
:lol: :lol: Told my DH that I wanted to hit the library for some light reading. :lol: :lol: I came out with the loan limit. 
