So you want chickens that are friendly, grow fast, don't eat you out of house and coop, and still lay eggs worth scrambling. You want six birds max, a handful of egg layers kept back, and the rest destined for the freezer in an endless cycle of meat and renewal. And your friend's rooster is currently dropping the ball on his one job. That's a lot of clucking pressure for someone who just wants a manageable, cozy little flock.
Here's the thing about Brahmas and Freedom Rangers together: they're a warm hug of a bird. Brahmas are the golden retrievers of the chicken world, big, fluffy, and so chill they practically ask for a sweater. Freedom Rangers grow fast on pasture, forage like little tractors, and have that rich, dark meat that makes you forget grocery-store chicken ever existed. A Brahma-Ranger cross sounds like a dream team for small-space homesteading. But your friend's rooster being stubborn means you're smart to shop around. Never put all your eggs in one broody basket, especially when that basket currently has a rooster who can't get his act together.
Practically, for a six-bird limit, you're in a sweet spot. Keep two or three gentle egg layers, Brahma hens are famously docile and good mothers, and use the rest for meat. Freedom Rangers finish in about eight to ten weeks, which means you could cycle through multiple batches a year if you plan your processing days like a calendar of delicious appointments. They aren't the cheapest to feed, but they eat less than Cornish Cross and actually enjoy being chickens. That matters when you only have six birds and want them to be friends, not feed-conversion nightmares.
If I were you, I'd hedge my bets. Find a breeder who already has reliable Brahma-Ranger crosses, or source straight-run Freedom Ranger chicks and a single Brahma pullet from a reputable hatchery. Keep the Brahmas for eggs and sweet temperaments, let the Rangers do their fast-growing thing, and don't stress over the rooster drama. Your property limit is a feature, not a bug, it keeps you intentional. So call around, ask for flocks that are calm and hardy, and remember that the best chicken plan is the one you're not afraid to change when a rooster decides to be difficult. Now go hatch a backup plan before your friend's rooster takes another nap.