Best breed for a first timer?

[Cowgirl71]

Australorps: Beautiful, excellent layers, very docile.

Orpingtons: Beautiful, good layers, very docile, but are always the first to go broody in my flock (and so stop laying

)
My other favorites include Rhode Island Reds, Red and Black Sex-Links, Barred Rocks, Easter Eggers, and Wyandottes. But these have not been as docile for me as the former two breeds.

 

[HenThymes]

Quote:
I can only wish my orps would go broody, that's all I currently raise and not a one has ever gone broody and I have both LF and bantams.

I would love to see a bunch a little orp chicks running around with mama!

 

[kidcallous]

So I'm leaning towards Barred rocks, or some form of a Rock anyway. The Barred rocks look cool for sure. But if they are not avaialble in my area I may go with a RIR.

Any way to tell at 5-7 weeks from looks, if they are M or F? In other words, should I buy a straight run at that age, or is it easy to tell.

Also with the sex-links - what are the colors for boys/girls?

 

[chics in the sun]

Where in Central Florida are you? I am in St.Petersburg. Check out the warm-weather coops before you build, and definately look for breeds that can take any climate. The only one I'm getting that says it is for cold weather is the Marans, and only because a lot of other people down here seem to have no problem with them. You should get on the Florida thread - they are having a chicken swap meet June 5th, and it has a list of all the birds that people will have for sale there. And yes, from what I have gathered you (or at least the person selling them to you) should be able tell a roo from a hen at that age.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Quote:
Red Sex-Link Chicks: males are white, females are red
Adults: males are white, females are red with black or white underfeathers (depending on the cross).
Black Sex-Link Chicks: males are black with a white dot an their head, females are black with a black head.
Adults: males look very close too a Barred Rock, and females are black with red in their hackle feathers.

 

[chics in the sun]

Here is the thread if you are intersted:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=305793&p=39

 

[Cowgirl71]

Quote:
It could very well be the particular strains you have. Some strains are more likely to brood than others. Mine are from McMurray Hatchery. I'm not very impressed with them, other than if I wanted broodies, they're the best I have! So far this year, six out of eleven went broody. Of my other 54 hens of different breeds, only one has gone broody... a GLW.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Of the breeds I have, here's some information on them:

Light brahma - sweet, docile - they cuddly type but on her terms.(she's a princess after all) One of my best winter layers, very cold hardy.
Rhode Island Red - Great layer, doesn't mind being held and follows me everywhere. Not so nice to new chickens coming into the flock.
Barred Rock - fantastic layer but doesn't like being handled.
Easter Egger (sold as Americauna by hatcheries) - great layer (mine lays green eggs), friendly and winter hardy.
Sicilian Buttercup - decent layer and flighty as hell.
Welsummer - mine will eat out of my hand, but they are more independent (don't like being handled). Very pretty terra cotta eggs.