Good breed combination?

[Elina]

Hey everyone!

We're still working on figuring out our flock and after some more research, we've found a few breeds were interested in:
-Silkie (For their temperment and unique feathering)
-Wyandotte (For their beauty, cold hardiness, and consistent egg-laying)
-Marans (For their chocolate eggs)
-Orpington (For their temperment)
-Rhode Island Red (For their egg production)
-Sussex (For being an all around good bird)

We want chickens that will be friendly to us and the other birds, but that will also have fun personalities and will be interesting to watch. Right now in Wisconsin it's 9° so they should be pretty cold hardy. Egg production isn't that important, but we do want some. We're thinking of starting with a flock of 5-9. We have no experience with chickens, so are doing all the research we can.
This list just contains a few ideas, not saying that we will get this exact combination, and I've read that you should have multiple silkies-and we really love them-so we'll probably have 2 or 3.
Any tips on these birds or suggestions for other breeds we should consider?

Thank you!

 

[biodarwin]

Orpingtons. Not the greatest of layers but are extremely docile and handle the cold weather well.

 

[Elina]

Hmm...I really like them, and Lavender Orpingtons especially are so pretty!
Thanks for the response!

 

[Elina]

Another breed I forgot to add is Barred Rock. I've heard a lot of good things about them.

 

[RNPAULIE69]

I have an orpington a speckled Sussex and a welsummer..love them all!! The welsummer is more affected by the cold and rain but does better in the heat that the other two.

 

[feedman77]

I think I've had all the breeds you mentioned except sillies.

Mine are all together in a big flock.
No agession issues towards me or each other. Just minor squabbles.

I've had up to 14 rooster in the bunch.

I prefer slw but the predators around my area seem to prefer them as well.

 

[keesmom]

Silkies often do not do well in a flock of mostly LF birds, or in free range flocks. Their crests limit their vision and make them easy targets for bossy chickens and predators. Most do not roost either. Only consider them if you have docile breeds that are limited to small areas.

If you really want chocolate eggs from a Marans then you will have to locate a breeder. Hatchery strains lay brown eggs that are darker then other brown egg breeds but they are far from the pretty chocolate eggs you see online.

The Wyandottes we have had are decent layers of medium-large eggs. Ours have tended to be more bossy than other breeds.

The Orpingtons have been decent layers and rather people friendly.

Hatchery RIRs can be rather dominant and don't always play nice with other breeds.

The Sussex we've had are so-so layers but are people friendly.

Other breeds to check out: Rocks. They come in more varieties than just barred. We have 2 whites and they are nicknamed the "Mooches" because they follow you looking for treats. They also come in barred, columbian and partridge. We've had good luck with EEs. Decent layers, people friendly, small combs and colored eggs. Australorps and Brahmas are others to consider.

 

[Welshies]

Thing with silkies is they tend to brood, so they hatch versus lay eggs... broody chickens stop laying while incubating.
Any chickens with feathered feet will really struggle in snow.
I have a couple barred rocks, they are excellent.
Any bird and any breed can be tamed if handled sufficiently as a youngster.
Also cold hardiness won't matter in your area- it's -40° here, so you'll be just fine.
Also consider how many roosters you want. Will you be hatching out babies in the future or getting unsexed chicks? If so a dual purpose breed is a good idea. Older, non-laying hens and extra roosters can make great meat.

 

[song of joy]

Silkies are not very cold tolerant, and do not tend to do well with large fowl.

Easter eggers would be a good addition to your list.