Another chicken breed poll!

[Ridgerunner]

Which should you get? That's easy, get two pullets of each, keep them for a year, and then decide based on what you see. While breeds may have general tendencies each one is an individual and may not be anywhere close to those tendencies.

Somebody selected which chickens got to breed to produce the specific chickens you get. Whatever traits they used to do that selecting are the traits you are most likely to see. Some breeders may select for egg size. Others may select for frequency of laying or eggshell colors. Some may select for meat and not eggs at all. Some select on whether or not they go broody. Some select to avoid aggression. Eye candy depends on your personal preferences but that other stuff can be all over the board regardless of which if those breeds you choose.

Since the traits you said are important are ones that can vary a lot by the individual I don't see a bad choice in any of those breeds. Your chances of getting a suitable one are fairly good with any of them.

 

[K0k0shka]

Also, breeds can vary significantly between hatchery vs. breeder, and from one breeder to the next, depending on what their focus was when developing their lines. The more variability there is within a breed (say, color options), the higher the chance of some lines losing some of the general traits of the breed... Kind of like how commercial roses lost their scent, because the focus was on looks. Birds bred heavily for looks are also likely to have lost some other breed characteristic. I ran into that with my Orpingtons. I've had hatchery Orpingtons, as well as several generations of Orpingtons from different breeders. All but one set have been friendly (to various degrees, but definitely friendly). The one set that wasn't, came from a breeder heavily focused on creating fancy new colors, and advertising how they were her own invention and one-of-a-kind. I had 7 birds from her that I hatched myself and raised just like all my other chickens, and they were the only Orpingtons I'd seen that were skittish - and I mean extremely skittish, run when they see you, no chance of ever touching them, bottom of the pecking order terrified of other chickens (even other Orpingtons). I ended up downgrading them from pets to food, and eating them all, because they weren't worth the effort to me - my pet flock has to be friendly and pettable to make the cut. After a year and a half of patient socializing, bribing with treats, passive time just sitting there etc. it just wasn't happening. The source can make a big difference...

 

[AZcluckers]

Out of those options, I've only owned EE's. However I don't want to vote because I'm not sure if you were trying to spell the purebred. EE's are super sweet and docile, at least mine have been.

 

[Squawkers]

How you are describing your sussex is considered “friendly” in the chicken world. Chickens are prey and being held goes against every natural instinct they have. It triggers their flight and fear reflex. A chicken that likes to be held is the exception not the rule. A friendly chicken is one that is docile around other chickens and doesn’t run away when you walk by. A chicken wanting to be held or cuddled is a completely different ball game and one that doesn’t particularly enjoy being held well that should never count against them or cause them to be labeled not friendly.

I see your point. I guess I am more thinking of my Orpington and Brahma who have both jumped in my lap often to take naps. And my EE and Australorp who jumps on my shoulder/back any chance they get.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Like Rigerunner said, you can't really go wrong with any of those breeds for looks and temperament. Obviously temperament isn't guaranteed, but all of those breeds the majority are going to be docile and friendly.

I had two speckled Sussex in my first flock that I have very fond memories of. They were collectively referred to as "the butterballs."

The amerIcaunas, spelled with an I, are easter Eggers, but they do tend to be pretty docile. I've had some that were more on the flighty side. But my profile Pic is a beardless easter egger who was the friendliest chicken I've ever had. When my oldest was about 2, she would let him toddle right up to her and hold her. She absolutely could have gotten away if she wanted, but she allowed it. They are also probably the best layers on your poll here.

 

[TillyPeeps]

For eye candy, docile, and friendly, silkie is the winner

Yeah, that's true. But don't expect too many eggs from them. They spend most their time broody.

 

[BantyChooks]

Voted for Ameraucanas assuming you meant the actual breed. EEs are decent sometimes but I prefer AMs.

 

[K0k0shka]

EEs are a crapshoot... they really depend on what breeds went into the mix.

 

[Squawkers]

Yeah, that's true. But don't expect too many eggs from them. They spend most their time broody.

Yeah, that’s why I specified those three. I purposely left out egg production.

 

[Squawkers]

I see your point. I guess I am more thinking of my Orpington and Brahma who have both jumped in my lap often to take naps. And my EE and Australorp who jumps on my shoulder/back any chance they get.