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

[icy_flames]

Definitely get Dominiques and Australorps. I have one of each and they are my sweetest hens (Daisy is in my profile picture sitting with my daughter). I also have a Mottled Java who is gorgeous but a little loud sometimes and she doesn't like to be held

 

[cmom]

My opinion is get whatever breeds you want. Some breeds do better in some climates than others but from my experiences if you provide good conditions most breeds do well about anywhere. I have raised several different breeds over the years and I have my favorites that I raise now. I raise pure (heritage) birds including Rhode Island Reds, which are not the same as hatchery RIR's. They do very well. Some breeds tend to be more docile than others and some such as Leghorns, more flighty. I do breed and hatch out my own chicks. I'm getting ready to load up the incubator for this years hatch. I live in Florida and the summer months are hot here. I planted shade trees in all of my pens as well as made rain/shade tables for the birds to get under if it rains or for shade. In the summer here it rains most every day. Plan well. Good luck and have fun...
https://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html#Chickens
https://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

 

[cmom]

Where are you located?

 

[VeryHappyHens]

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.

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

 

[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!

 

[psycache]

My opinion is get whatever breeds you want. Some breeds do better in some climates than others but from my experiences if you provide good conditions most breeds do well about anywhere. I have raised several different breeds over the years and I have my favorites that I raise now. I raise pure (heritage) birds including Rhode Island Reds, which are not the same as hatchery RIR's. They do very well. Some breeds tend to be more docile than others and some such as Leghorns, more flighty. I do breed and hatch out my own chicks. I'm getting ready to load up the incubator for this years hatch. I live in Florida and the summer months are hot here. I planted shade trees in all of my pens as well as made rain/shade tables for the birds to get under if it rains or for shade. In the summer here it rains most every day. Plan well. Good luck and have fun...
https://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html#Chickens
https://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

Very cool. Thanks. I am in Salt Lake City area in Utah.

 

[psycache]

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

Ok maybe not for a beginner with a toddler then haha.

 

[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]

Start off with the Delawares and Speackled Susex, Austrlorp There all cold and hardy they are very humble! Great egg porduction. Lap chicken to.

 

[psycache]

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!

Are the whitish colors easier target for aerial preys? Maybe they all are, but somehow I thought white just stands out that much more.