If you could only keep 3-5 chickens

[410farmer]

Hmm, I'd probably go for a Hamburg (gold or silver spangled, white eggs); one Easter Egger or Cream Legbar or other blue/green layer; a Welsummer (supposed to lay dark/speckled eggs), a Columbian patterned chicken (Light Sussex, Columbian Rock, Columbina Wyandotte, or Delware--any of them will lay brown eggs), and the Maran you mentioned.

But that's personal preference, based on what looks good to me, and what color eggs they lay. I like brown eggs, different shades and preferably with speckles, and a few other colors for variety. I also dislike feathered feet or poofy crests, although I'd consider a Spitzhauben instead of the Hamburg--they're about the same except for an upright crest that is not supposed to block their vision.

Whenever I think of speckled eggs I think of quail lol, I’ll def look into some of those. I’m not too fond of feathered feet myself. I had a Wyandotte before such a beautiful bird

 

[Mimi13]

I want a sexy chicken

These two birds are gorgeous...sexy, if you’d like. Their coloring, their stance, their carriage, everything about them.

Cream Legbar - overlook the blurred eye.

Olive Egger - Olivia Henson is the most beautiful girl I have and that is based on more than just color. My absolute favorite coloring has to be my Partridge girls: Cochin, Barnevelder, and Penedesenca.

Now these are sexy to me.

 

[410farmer]

These two birds are gorgeous...sexy, if you’d like. Their coloring, their stance, their carriage, everything about them.

Cream Legbar - overlook the blurred eye.
View attachment 1979449

Olive Egger - Olivia Henson is the most beautiful girl I have and that is based on more than just color. My absolute favorite coloring has to be my Partridge girls: Cochin, Barnevelder, and Penedesenca.
View attachment 1979450

Now these are sexy to me.

Oh he think he the man I really love cream legbars that’s the easy choice, I’m never getting a rooster I can’t take it lol

 

[Bullitt]

Are you just wanting chickens for eggs, or do you also want them to be pets? Do you have a small space for chickens or are you going to allow them to free-range over acreage?

Do you care about if they are cross-breeds?

If you say what you are looking for, people here can be more specific.

Various shades of brown eggs -- There are many choices here. Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire, Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Delaware, Orpington, Sussex, Wyandotte, Dominique, Brahma, Java, and on and on.

Dark brown eggs -- There are a variety of Marans. There is also the Barnevelder or the Welsummer.

Blue eggs -- Ameraucana, Araucana, or Cream Legbar.

White eggs -- Leghorn, California Gray/Grey, Lakenvelder, Polish chicken, and Minorca.

"Easter Eggers" can lay a variety of colors. This is not a breed, though.



By the way, I was just looking at a website that I will not name that states, Barred Plymouth Rocks are not strong layers because they only lay an average of 280 eggs a year.

 

[NatJ]

Whenever I think of speckled eggs I think of quail lol, I’ll def look into some of those. I’m not too fond of feathered feet myself. I had a Wyandotte before such a beautiful bird

https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/welsummer.10858/
Picture of welsummer eggs there. When I say "speckled" eggs, I'm thinking little dots. Quail eggs have some rather large blotches (at least, compared with the size of the egg they're on.)

I agree, wyandottes are beautiful too! There are just so many choices for beautiful chickens...
I had some Light Brahmas years ago, and really loved them--except for those dirty feathered feet (I never saw them clean.) But that's part of why I now really like the Columbian color pattern. Those big brahmas would sit up on the top rail of the fence, looking like enormous pigeons

 

[Sheltiepawz]

I have two Wyandotte’s also. Both turning out to be beautiful. The silver laced is a little skittish. The GLW will sit in lap if we are in chair, but neither like being picked up. Hoping they improve a little with age. The slw is my daughters so really hoping she gets a little friendlier.

Meyers catalog came on Friday and I instantly wanted 10 more breeds lol! One thing I regret is that I reduced my original order. I had 10 down then I got nervous. First time chicken owner. I reduced to 7. One turned out to be a roo, so reduced us even further so take chicken math into account. I guess it works both ways lol!
Pictures of Victoria and PL(princess lay-a)

Whenever I think of speckled eggs I think of quail lol, I’ll def look into some of those. I’m not too fond of feathered feet myself. I had a Wyandotte before such a beautiful bird

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I got a couple starlight green layers. So far they are nice and lay pretty green eggs.....almost every day. Mine are still pullets.

The prairie blue bell lay a pale blue egg. Mine are not as productive as the green layers.

If you want pet type birds buff Orpington are nice.

I have one Starlight Green Egger and she is the absolute sweetest bird ever. She hasn't started laying yet but today I noticed her comb and wattles getting more red and growing, so I believe she'll start laying within a month or so. She 17 weeks old. I've never had a chicken that adores her human like this girl. Unfortunately, as sweet as she is, she is near the very bottom of the pecking order. My Midnight Majesty Maran is at the very bottom and then my Starlight Green Egger. I am a huge fan of Barred Rock Pullets as they're also total sweethearts, but honestly, the Starlight Green Egger seems to like humans more than any chicken I've ever seen. Do you have the same experience with yours?

 

[Bullitt]

Luckily I’m shallow I want a sexy chicken so hopefully that’s going to get my choices down.

Funny. I've heard of the funky chicken.

What do you consider a sexy chicken?

 

[gimmie birdies]

I ordered hatching eggs to be delivered in Feb... LO, olive egger, welsummers, SS, and one BA, and partridge rocks.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Sexy chicken... Show girl?