Hello from MN!

I've wanted a small backyard flock for a long time now. I did an insane amount of research and we recently acquired a dozen chicks, 10 a couple of weeks ago, 2 last night. I wanted friendly, calm and gentle breeds that were winter hardy, heavy layers and were darker in color to help protect them from predation (we live out in the country and I plan to free range them). The coop we're building is 6x8 so I didn't want to order a large number from a hatchery. We ended up with:
4 Welsummers (straight run - I suspect 2 roo and 2 pullets based on head markings, eyeliner and feathering)
4 Easter Eggers (straight run - I suspect 1 roo and 3 pullets based on feathering and straight up ATTITUDE!)
2 Silver Laced Wyandottes (straight run - I suspect 1 and 1 based on combs and feathering)
2 Speckled Sussex (pullets)

Right now they're all 3-4 weeks old, have wiggled their way into my heart and have absolutely destroyed my basement bathroom lol

I'm looking to learn all I can here, as well as network with people who are as crazy about their birds as I have already become!!!

Welcome to BYC and the chicken addiction - sounds like a fun little flock you are building there. Hopefully you are not as inundated with cockerels as you suspect - have you got a good "plan b" ready if you are?
You can always start a thread and post photos of each chick here : https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/15/what-breed-or-gender-is-this if you want second opinions on the gender identifications -- while 3-4 weeks is on the early side we may be able to confirm things on some of them (ie the Welsummers given the very different feathering males and females develop, and EE are often easy even early on depending on pattern) -- worst that can happen is we suggest reposting in a couple of weeks when they have matured a bit.

I will absolutely head over there and post pictures!

Plan B would be to rehome or butcher in the fall/early winter. I'm not opposed to keeping a kind yet protective fellow but I also have zero plans to breed! My main goal is a sweet flock of layers to spoil well into old age.

Hi and - glad that you have joined us.

You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - just type the name of your state in the search box.

All the best
CT

I just uploaded my chicks for guesses, will definitely join my state thread as well! Thank you for the welcome as well as for the suggestion

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

Good luck with your new flock!