1st time chicken owner - what breed to buy

Wow! So much dislike for the Wyandotte! Lol. I had a Wyandotte who followed me around, roosted on my shoulder, sat with me in the grass, wanted me over he flock buddies! She was SO sweet!!! Poor thing met my dog.... Anyway, I LOVE wyandottes because of her, and now have a few and I really like them. My current friendliest is the dominiques, but I truly think it is breeding and how you handle them. Hth, get what you like and handle them often!
 
What is it with Wyandottes? I did NOT like my Wyandotte when we first got her, well at first she was ok cuz she was a baby but them she got to be VERY independent and very busy mostly. Now she is one of my favorites. She is forever curious but all in all, she's a busy body. She comes by to give me a quick "Hello, how do ya do" and then she's on her way again. She lets me hold her now too so that's good - at least for me:) Good luck with your first chicks. That's exciting!
 
Ive raised many different breed's over the years.Most have done very well if you work with them a lot as young as far as being tame.Ive raised Wyandotte's,red and white leghorn, RIR's,Jersey Giants (excellent Birds),I had a couple of Buttercup's once, and this year We got red and black sexlink and another breed for layer's.I have been letting them free range day's and they follow Us all the way to mailbox etc.Very tame and go right back to their coop at night.Only a couple have started to lay so far but the rest is soon to follow.Hope you can find something you like.Almost all of the bird's I have had were excellent.
 
I don't dislike Wyandottes, in fact, I'm getting some as soon as my coop is done. (need some broodies here! And they are blue, even better!) But they are not the perfect fit for those that don't want broodies.
 
If you can get Buff Orpingtons, you should. They are the golden retrievers of the chicken world. Super, super friendly, they lay large brown eggs regularly, even in winter. They are definitely lap chickens, and I would pick them over all of the other breeds you mentioned for friendliness. As you can see below, I have lots of different breeds. Only my Rhode Island Reds are better layers, but they are not as friendly.
 
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I have raised RIR's all my life and have had excellent luck with them. That being said I now have 8 RIR's, 5 Speckled Sussex and 5 GL Wyandottes. All are about 7 weeks old and the GLW's are the most outgoing and friendly of the bunch. They are the first ones to come running when they see me. The differences in the 3 breeds is readily apparent and quite funny to watch! I have a good friend who raises Buffs only and given your list I'd opt for the Buffs.
 

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