Best combo of egg laying/docility?

[homeinspectorman]

As many have pointed out, hatchery chickens can vary widely from the “norm” as far as personality. My 3 RIR’s are the meanest chickens in the flock. Enough so that I will be trading or selling them later this spring. I will not allow my 5 year old granddaughter to go near them for fear they will attack her. On the flip side are my two Black Australorps. They are the most easy going and curious in the flock. They will allow her to pet them as well as be carried around like a doll. They all lay nice brown eggs.

 

[Snipes]

Wow guys, thanks for all the advise (and warnings

)! I will pass the information along. You guys are great!

 

[CHICKENBOY 1]

orpingtons

 

[CMV]

I have a mixed flock-
BOs- nice, prone to broodiness, nothing special to look at, large, lay well.
BRs- nice, interesting on the eye, tend to be docile, lay well.
EEs- flighty, sweet, pretty, lay only moderately well, but lay beautiful eggs.
RIRs- nothing special, lay well, can be difficult.
GLWs- pretty, stand-offish/shy, docile, lay well, prone to broodiness.
GSLs- pretty, docile, friendly, lay very well.
JGs- my favorites, big and beautiful, docile, friendly, lay well.

If you are looking for a good mix of docility and egg laying then I would go with one of the sex-linked varieties- red, gold or black. They are purely production birds. Bred to lay young, lay well, tolerate a variety of conditions, generally sweet-natured and friendly, not gorgeous but pretty birds with some variation. I think they are probably a newbie's best bet. I know they have been very gratifying to have around in my flock- first to lay and first to get names (making them pets). My GSLs are great.

Good luck.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Barred Rock or 1/2 Barred Rock, ie the Black Sex-Link. I cannot think of a more docile blend, coupled with steady laying.

 

[Sorin]

I have a Buff Orpington and a Barred Rock and a Black Sex Link, they are all sweet, but my BO is the sweetest of all! And she lays about 4 eggs a week. Just wanted to add, my sex link is a laying machine! The nights are routinely around zero degrees here and she is laying 5-6 eggs a week!

 

[b.hromada]

Quote:
I third this!

I'm crazy about my Barred Rocks.

 

[SassyKat6181]

This is my first flock and I have Barred Rocks and Black Sexlinks. They are both extremely friendly with myself and my 3 year old son.

 

[kathyinmo]

Delawares are like pet puppies. They are underfoot all the time, want to be carried around or sitting on your lap. They are a pain.

Here is a thread with a series of pictures to show you what I mean .....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=374604

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

ISA Browns and Golden Buffs /Comets are supposed to be docile good egg layers.