Good First Time Chicken Owner Breed?

[Sk8inChick(en)]

Hello,

I'm going to get my first set of chicks pretty soon, but I'm undecided on which breed as of yet.


The main ones I'm considering are:

Buff Orpington
Light Brahma
Australorp
Silkies, but there is the pullet/cockerel issue with chicks being only available as straight run.

If anyone could tell me which of these would be best for a first-time chicken owner, that would be great.


Thank you!


I know I've already posted a thread similar to this, but I've narrowed down my list since then.

 

[FireTigeris]

Can you have roosters where you are?

What size is your coop and run?

I like my light Brahmas but they are huge!

Do you want lots of eggs? several of your picks gor broody often or always and don't lay many eggs

 

[Chicks on DL]

Are you getting chickens for eggs or just as pets?
Are you looking for a breed that is very friendly and that is why Australorp and Buff Orphington is on your list?
If you want a friendly chicken that is a good layer pick the Australorp or Orphington. I don't know about Brahma's temperment but they are more free range. I don't know about silkies.

 

[tigercreek]

Love my Aussies, and I think that if you are going to get hatchery birds, Aussies seem to be better quality than most other hatchery breeds. I considered Orpingtons when I was starting, and am glad I went with Aussies and Rocks. ....stan

 

[Sk8inChick(en)]

Thank you for the replies!

I'm interested in getting 3-4 hens for a small backyard coop with a little run attached. They wouldn't be free range, but I could let them out for an hour or two in the evening.

I can't have roosters, and don't want any.

I would enjoy getting eggs from the flock, but having an industrial layer is not important to me.

Again, thanks for all your replies!

 

[CSWolffe]

I suggest you don't go for the production layers then. Most hens only lay well for a few years, and the production breeds tend to 'run out' sooner. RIRs, Sex Links, Australorps, Bared Rocks, Orpingtons, are all production layers with good personalities.
Wellsumers, Marans, Barnevelders, Sussex, Anconas, and Easter Eggers are also great back yard birds, and while they don't lay as many per week they tend to lay longer. I suggest getting an EE, an Ancona or Sussex, and either a Wellsumer or Marans. That way you have a variety of lovely birds, and your basket will be nice and pretty with white or brown, blue, and dark brown eggs.