Haven't been on here in a while but my 3 buff orpington hens are all doing great, had a little frostbite on their combs in the winter but otherwise no health problems. I'm averaging 14 eggs a week this year, no issues with brooding or predators. With only 3 hens they really are more pets than livestock: I give them 10 minutes of supervised free range time each morning, after they (mostly) follow me back to the coop for treats (if they don't, I can just pick them up to bring back).