Chicken suggestions for small flock?

[Bandit]

Buff Orpingtons are good egg layers and follow me around wherever I go in the yard.

 

[CityChook]

I love my Orps and they are great with the kiddos

 

[lleighmay]

I vote for australorps, speckled sussex, and new hampshires (I have both but like them better than my rhodies). I also recommend barred rocks- all of these are friendly with good personalities, good layers, beautiful, and tolerate my 5 yoa niece even though they don't see her every day.

 

[PunkinPeep]

I was surprised that buff orps and barred rocks weren't on your list - both have good disposition. I also have rir, who i like, but i wouldn't necessarily consider them the most friendly or docile - especially compared to my bo and br's. If it's between rir and nhr, i would go with nhr, which i have read are more docile - and which i'm getting ready to add to my flock. They're also supposed to be great egg layers. All of mine follow me all over the yard, looking for food. A couple of them jump on my shoulder whenever they have the chance.

I would not go with leghorn if you want your children to enjoy having a pet. Leghorns, who i'm just becoming acquainted with a little, seem very flighty to me.

 

[MemphisMel]

Thanks for all the terrific information!!!!

I had our kids look at the link to the chicken finder and they feel in love with the silver laced wyandotte and barred rock. Such a hard decision!

BTW, those orps are adorable. I'm planning on looking into them. Thanks for posting the cute pics. My kids really enjoyed looking at them. Now that I've gotten some info, I don't think there would be any photo opps like that with a leghorn. We're marking him off the list. LOL!

 

[Beekissed]

Austrolorps and New Hamps are great layers and have inquisitive and sweet dispositions, the Aussies more than the NHs, IMO. Buff Orps, though docile, are not consistent layers and they tend to eat one out of house and home. Barred Rocks are great for both of your needs.

RIR hens that I have had have all been sweet with quirky personalities, best egg layers with longevity on their side.

If I could only have three, my picks would be:

Aussie
RIR
BR

A colorful and sweet flock!

 

[sherrydeanne]

The fact is, there are more 'great' breeds that fit your needs than 3, so choose what you like to look at.

I would pick from the following:
Sussex
Australorp
EE
Orpington
Wyandotte
Rock

I would drop the leghorn and RIR from your list, just because there are more docile (on average) breeds out there. If you want lots of big eggs, I'd do an Aust, Orp and Wyandotte.

Good luck!

 

[flockof4]

You've probably got plenty of info on which breeds to get, Memphis Mel, but here's my two cents: A variety of breeds will be great for you and the kids. It's fun to see the different personalities of the different breeds. My Buff Orp follows me around and is very easy to handle. My RIR is very calm and easy to handle as well. My Australorp is a bit skittish, but friendly. My Ameraucana doesn't like to be held, but is still friendly. Not sure about egg production yet as the Ameraucana just started laying and the other three haven't started laying. I don't have a rooster, but I hear they can be aggressive with people and kids. All the breeds you mentioned and the ones that others have mentioned would be fine backyard chickens. Good luck.

 

[wyliefarms]

Our favorites are the EE's and Austrolorps. Last year we got some layers from gentleman and he purchased them at TSC and they were called comets- an orange-red/white feathered bird- They are the best! The eggs are XL-Jumbo sized, and the hens aren't huge.
My 5 year old picked one up yesterday and carried her around. In the past anything red we have had hasn't been the nicest, but these comets are great.

If you get EE's it is fun to dye them at Easter time. The scratches from the chickens nails show up and look really cool.

 

[MemphisMel]

Thanks for all the input.

We drove an hour up the road to pick up three chicks today. We picked these...

The black one is supposed to be a barred rock. The striped one is supposed to be and EE. The orange one is supposed to be a RIR.
We're taking our chances with her. I was planning on getting a sex link but they hadn't come in yet. I'm sure if the RIR acts crazy we can find her a good second home with a friend. lol. So far she is the most easy going. She stood over and protected the other chicks when we first tried to pick them up. She sat in my hand and just relaxed and she lets the girls pick her up. The others are still a bit afraid of us but are soooo cute!

I think my hubby already wants more.