Advice on breeds please. Raising chicks for the first time in Utah!

[psycache]

EDITED based on a summary of advices so far, so hard to narrow down (aim for 6 pullets, and 4 hens eventually):
1x Speckled Sussex
1x Delaware
1x Mottled Java
1x Barred Rock
1x Silver Lakenvelder
1x Black Australorp
1x Blue Copper Maran
1x Dominque


So I have taken care of chickens before, both grandparents' when I was little, and landlord's when they were gone, but this will be first time raising my own!
My city has a permit approval process, which I am scheduled to go through next Tuesday.

In the mean time, I went to the local feed store (IFA), and here are all the available pullets:
Speckled Sussex
Delaware
Mottled Java
Barred Rock
Sex Links (Black, Red, Golden)
Silver Lakenvelder
Rhode Island Red
Buckeye
California Gray
Leghorn (Brown, White)
Golden Laced Wyandotte
Jersey Giant
Production Red
Black Australorp
Blue Copper Maran
Dominque

I am hoping to buy 5-6 and eventually end up with 4 hens. I like to have some colors and varieties in my flock, and moderate egg production would be great. I hope to just let them free range during the day with my toddler while I watch in the yard. Here are what I am thinking:
2x Speckled Sussex
1x Mottled Java
1x Rhode Island Red
2x Dominque

What do people think? Any recommendations on chicks that get along better as a flock and growing up with a toddler?

 

[cmom]

I was working on a project many years ago with Red Sex-links.
These are the Andrew sisters. The Rhode Island White is Patty, the Rhode Island Red is LaVerne and the Red Sex-link is Maxine. They always stuck together.

This was my Red Sex-link project many years ago.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

For some reason, RIRs don't have the best history with their temper. Of course, no one bird is the same, but RIRs have a bad rep.

 

[JessesChickens101]

They are just the sweetest chickens! And they look exceptionally beautiful in the winter.

Omg that confirms it, I'm getting some Speckled Sussex! And NO ONE is going to stop me Haha

 

[VeryHappyHens]

So I have taken care of chickens before, both grandparents' when I was little, and landlord's when they were gone, but this will be first time raising my own!
My city has a permit approval process, which I am scheduled to go through next Tuesday.

In the mean time, I went to the local feed store (IFA), and here are all the available pullets:
Speckled Sussex
Delaware
Mottled Java
Barred Rock
Sex Links (Black, Red, Golden)
Silver Lakenvelder
Rhode Island Red
Buckeye
California Gray
Leghorn (Brown, White)
Golden Laced Wyandotte
Jersey Giant
Production Red
Black Australorp
Blue Copper Maran
Dominque

I am hoping to buy 5-6 and eventually end up with 4 hens. I like to have some colors and varieties in my flock, and moderate egg production would be great. I hope to just let them free range during the day with my toddler while I watch in the yard. Here are what I am thinking:
2x Speckled Sussex
1x Mottled Java
1x Rhode Island Red
2x Dominque

What do people think? Any recommendations on chicks that get along better as a flock and growing up with a toddler?

Start of with Delawares there egg production is great there cold and hardy there really pretty and there docile and humble and a great lap chicken!! Get the speckled susex there sweeties and lay a good amount of eggs. Than the Lakevelnders to get some more color. I persnally had good exprince with the Lakevelnder she is always on my lap and alert and loves to roost on my arm!

 

[cmom]

I agree Rhode Island Reds are a bunch of meanies there the only bullys I have in my flock!

They were probably from a hatchery stock. Mine are lovable but they are pure (heritage).
One of my RIR hens that was a champion at a show waiting to get her picture taken.

 

[VeryHappyHens]

Aw, that sucks. I'm sorry. In my experience/what I've heard from farmer friends, the roosters are usually the aggressive ones, and the hens can be rude to other chickens, but are usually friendly to humans.

I agree they are bossy to my hens. Thats why I do not suggest new owners to get RIR. There good layer and can be timid to people but not nice to other chickens that is why I do not like them. Mabye she is looking for a chickens that is nice to other chicken so she can stay of chicken drama. Can sometimes be very mean to kids.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Although RIRs have a bad rep for being mean, not every bird is the same. I genuinely do recommend Delawares, Black Australorps, Javas, Speckled Sussex, and Dominiques.

 

[cmom]

I do not think she should start of with RIR most of them are mean. If a toddler wants to hold them they will flap there wings and scratch them;. Some RIR in rare cases can be calm like yours.

Personally, I disagree, but it's good to disagree with people sometimes. Makes life interesting!

In my experience there not a great pet. Maybe in yours she is nice.

I don't know how long you have had chickens, and you may have gotten a mean RIR but you're pretty much saying that all RIR's are mean, and it not true just because you happen to get a mean one and may know someone who also had a mean one so that means all RIR's are mean. It's just not true. Good luck...

 

[cmom]

Matt is a humble but very wise fellow who gave me my start with the Reds many years ago and I have kept them pure. Years ago I went to a show and saw his birds and we made an arrangement for me to get a quad from him at another show. I had some Reds prior but not as nice as his. I sold my other Reds. I love them.