Deciding on breed(s) for first flock

We purchase a home 2 years ago with 12.5 acres. With a chicken coop, brooder, pig pen, small meat chicken house, and small goat house. We want to start with chickens this spring. The coop building itself is nice. I need to add nesting boxes though. And I need to put fencing up for the run. The T posts are still in place. Probably also add two doors from the outside so we can easily gets eggs out.

A locally owned pet, feed and seed store places orders for customers twice a spring. I think we're looking at 8, maybe 2 or 4 different kinds. Anyway, Here are our options for chicks. I'd love some advise as to the breeds. We live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The last owner said the flooring in the coop is heated but still cold hardiness is a must. I also have three young children so I really want a couple at least that are friendly with the kids. These are available Pullets.

Gold Star
Hayline White Leghorn
California White
Production Red
Barred Rock
White Rock
Black Australorp
Buff Orpington
Silver Laced Wayandotte
Aracana
Ancona

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

I've looked over the breeding reviews here what I'm leaving toward a flock - (2) Black Australorp, (3) Buff Orpington and (3) Silver Laced Wayandotte. Thoughts?

I have heard great things about Buff Orpington's. I want to get some of those myself. I have Barred Rocks and they are great layers, but they are bossy to my little chicks. They allow us to hold them, but aren't real keen on the catching part.

here is my experience one the breeds listed:
Gold Star- great layers, constantly churning out 300+ a year. IMO they are not the friendliest birds, very obnoxious and rowdy. most aren't mean though. Pretty with the orange and gold, and each one looks a little different.
White Leghorn- Good layer, pretty flighty, not cuddly or friendly and pretty aloof. pretty though, and if you spend a lot of time with them as chicks they can be nicer.
California white- Good layers, haven't owned any though so can't really testify on temperament
Production Red-similar to Gold stars, though they usually lay a bit fewer eggs
Barred Rocks- Pretty, great layers, can be a bit mean and obnoxious, very demanding when they know who brings the food
White rock- similar to barred ones though not as pretty in my opinion
Black Australorp- Very friendly, great layers, pretty, cold hardy, and tame...i would totally suggest this breed if you have kids
Buff Orpington- Super calm and friendly, good layers, pretty, goes broody (can be good or bad), another one i would suggest for kids
Silver laced wyandotte- Really pretty, adds a lot of color to the flock, great layers, can be obnoxious or friendly i've had both
haven't owned the last two
I would say your flock ideas are a good mix...good choice of birds.
My personal favorites are probably Black australorps, Silver laced wyandottes, barred rocks, and leghorns. Good luck!

We decided on 3 Black Australorp, 3 Buff Orpington and 2 Araucana. Thanks everyone

reendersarens said:

We decided on 3 Black Australorp, 3 Buff Orpington and 2 Araucana. Thanks everyone

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That's a great selection of breeds. Black Australorps and Buff Orpingtons are very calm and gentle breeds. My children and granddaughter (pictured in my avatar) made lap pets of both breeds. Buff Orpingtons are good layers and Black Australorps are excellent layers of large, brown eggs. Your Araucana will be Easter Eggers instead of true Araucana (which lay only blue eggs, have tailless rumps, are relatively rare and expensive, and are not sold by hatcheries or feed stores. Easter Eggers are hybrids produced by crossing blue egg layers with brown egg layers to produce offspring that lay eggs in colors other than just blue. EEs are docile, but frequently standoffish. Ours typically tolerate being handled but do not really like it. Despite that, the are good layers and are my granddaughter's favorite chickens. She loves their colored eggs. Good luck with your flock.