Help with what breed of chicken to get?

[Mainechicken]

Hope its Ok to post this here I am new to chickens for the most part. I live in Maine and would like to get 5 to 6 hens to have fresh eggs. I was wondering if anyone could recommend some different types. And can you mix them? I would like to let them out in the yard during the day also. A few types I was looking at are the following. Any info/help is greatly appreciated, thank you.

Delaware
Hamburg
Plymouth Rock
White faced black spanish
Easter Eggers
Ancona

 

[chikadeedoodah]

I love the Rhode Island Reds, they lay big eggs and have fantastic personalities. Good luck with your choice, they are all so awesome!

 

[katdam]

i have RIR, gottem for the eggs,,, even though i ended up with only 1 pullet! i can sit in my chair by the pen and they'll get on the roost and i'll start humming and they fall asleep

i love them!

 

[Mrs. K]

I really enjoy having a mixture of breeds, it is easier to Identifiy them, and recognize their personalities. And I think it makes for a pretty flock. I had all barred rocks once, and while I loved them, I like a mixed flock better.

 

[chics in the sun]

I love my Barred Rock - her personality is just a riot. I also have a Production Red, which are close to RIRs, and she is dumb as a box of rocks. Sorry. My leghorn is also fun to watch, but really flighty. That's my only experience so far!

 

[clothdiaperingmom]

My faves as far as docile, calm, friendly are Barred Rocks for sure!!

RIR's for lots of eggs, or could go with a sex link/hybrid of some sort.

Buff Orpingtons are pretty mellow and docile as well.

As you can see in my siggy, I have a mix like the pp mentioned! I like lots of color in my flock.

 

[MissJenny]

May I say,

. Glad you're here -- I hope you gather lots and lots of valuable information and make many lasting friendships. As for which breeds to choose, I can only tell you what I have done, which is to have selected six chicks of four different breeds. Like Mrs. K said, it makes for a pretty flock and an ease of telling who is who. What i have are Light Brahma, EE's, Barred Rock and Cochin. I am suppsed to have a Speckled Sussex, but the hatchery didn't include one in my order.

When choosing breeds, my first priority was to select birds that are calm and friendly. Because I live in Ohio my second priority was that they be winter hardy. And finally I just flat out hoped to get an Easter Egger that lays a lovely blue/green egg.

I really like having a mixed flock.

Sp what are your priorities?

Jenny