My first flock and only flock so far look like Rhode Island Reds. I don't know if it's because we didn't handle them a lot as chicks, but they don't seem to care for being held and are not too snuggly. That being said, they are not mean. I have two small children under the age of 6 and the chickens do not peck at them or hurt them. They love staying nearby us while we are out in the yard. None of them mind being reached under to get eggs out of the nesting box.
They are wonderful layers, all of them lay most days. I have 4 chickens, all of them RIR's and it is not uncommon I end up with 2 dozen eggs by the end of the week. Their eggs are a good size, too! Look like jumbo sized and they are just turning a year old.
They seem pretty hardy. Our summers can reach 100F and winters about 20F. However, it seems like they enjoy the cooler days best - anything between 40-60F seems perfect for them. In the summer, I had to be careful because it seemed that they were overheating and I had to take extra measures to keep them cool (ice blocks/packs, making extra shade, misting them down with the hose, etc.) Thankfully we haven't had any major illnesses with these bird. We have treated badly pecked chickens with Blu-Kote. Otherwise, they are usually happy and healthy!
This is my first flock and I will have to say they are pretty easy going chickens. We had a pecking issue, but it isn't severe since we changed them over to a bigger coop.
