Here's some advice I can offer.
The Coop
Have at least 4 square feet of space per bird inside the coop. Use "chicken math"- you are going to want more, so maybe even multiply that number by two.
The coop must have roosts providing 10 inches of space per bird.
Nest boxes should be below the level of the roosts, 12" by 12" is standard. One nest box for 4-8 hens.
You should have adequate ventilation, and if you have cold weather I advise making some (not all) of the ventilation "sealable", by use of covers or "doors".
Breeds
You have to decide want you want. Would you like an egg layer? Dual purpose, or a meat bird? I will include good egg laying breeds and egg laying dual purpose breeds for you.
All chickens can be friendly, it is more dependent on if you handle them as chicks. Chicks handled at a young age will learn to sit on shoulders or even come when called.
If you plan to have a rooster, make sure you only have one rooster per 8-12 hens.
Find breed information on the "Reviews" page of ByC, or on this page:
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html
Orpington: This breed is easy to find and gentle. Orpingtons are 8-12 pounds, full feathered, and hardy. They lay around 180-250 eggs per year, and some will brood their own eggs if allowed to do so. They come in many colors. I believe Orps lay brown eggs.
Rhode Island Red: Rhode Island Reds (RIRs) are easy to find and get. They are 7-12 pounds and hardy birds. They lay 180-240 eggs per year and the roosters are large enough to be used for meat. Most are friendly but they only come in one color. They lay brown eggs.
Barred Plymouth Rocks: PRs are great birds, although only one color. They are very hardy and self sufficient in foraging. They lay 150-220 eggs per year but lay longer into the winter. They are somewhat friendly. Brown eggs.
Easter Eggers- EEs are 6-10 pounds, usually not meat birds. They are friendly and active, and great layers at 200-250 eggs per year. They rarely go broody but lay many colors of eggs- green, pale pink, brown, etc.
Wyandotte: Wyandottes are hardy and very beautiful. At 7-10 pounds they can be dual purpose but lay nice brown eggs at 180-250 per year. Some are good mothers if eggs are left out.
Mixed Breeds: Don't discredit mixed breeds. They can be awesome in a barnyard and extremely friendly and come in a huge variety of colors. They are easy to find and cheaper to get than purebreeds, and mine lay 200-250 eggs per year. Mine lay well but go broody if I leave eggs out, and are great mothers but friendly.
