New to chickens - looking to start with 4 - which breeds?

[patandchickens]

Consider any of the black or red sexlinks, too -- they are just as good chickens as 'purebreds', usually nice and friendly, and will outlay anything else on your list.

Speckled sussex are nice too, and no trouble telling 'em apart from other breeds <g>

Have fun,

Pat

 

[Gloria]

Buff Orpington's are a really sweet bird. Last summer I would sit on my swing in the backyard with her and we would share my sandwich together. She lays an egg 6 days a week sometimes 7 and all through winter too.

On the other hand, I also have a Barred Rock pullet that will let anyone carry her around the yard and fall asleep while you do it.

These two are my favorite birds, it's really hard to pick just one of them.

 

[Judy]

Australorps are another one to consider. World record brown egg layer. Docile and friendly. They are the only breed of my new group of chicks that let me pick them up without running away -- and the new ones include 2 buff orps, 2 speckled sussex, and 6 EE's, among others. Have/had some other Australorps, almost a year old. They lay well, and can be handled easily, even though I never handled them a lot. The roo died protecting his hens; he was not mean.

 

[Marlinchaser]

If you want sudgestions of what breed to get I would recommend Buckeyes, friendly, lay all winter.

 

[vermontgal]

I think your list looks good. I've heard good things about speckled sussex, too. I want one but don't have one yet. I think an EE would be fun.

 

[babsboys]

I love love love my buffs. I have astralorps and EEs also but my buffs are the most friendly and very pretty. My Astralorps lay a lot of eggs but are not as friendly as my buffs. My mom had a Sussex that laid eggs for 9 years, was a good broody and the friendliest chicken I have ever seen. My son is getting one in April.

 

[lavandula girl]

Definitely get what you want, breed-wise. I have to say that my Red Star is for sure my sweetest bird, and my Black Australorp is my most prolific layer. The Barred Rock comes in second, though. I think you have some good choices, in terms of breeds. FYI: not all EEs lay green eggs, so if that's the impetus for the choice, you may want to do the legwork (eggwork?

) to get a pure Amerucana or Araucana.

 

[willheveland]

Of the breeds you mentioned you can't go wrong with the Barred Rocks.After that I'd say EE's(nice if you have small kids) Will

 

[hungryhensfarm]

I have an assortment of breeds including red sex links and jersey black giants. I love them all

but the jersey black giants are my favorites. They seem to be a bit calmer than my sex links.

I have some ameraucanas coming in May. I think they will be a nice addition to my flock.

 

[JennsPeeps]

We just lost our BR, who was a fantastic bird. Sweet, friendly, and curious. She LOVED my boyfriend & she was his fav.

We adore our black sex-link, too. Another fantastic personality bird.

The RIR is skittish but is our power layer. We get 5-6 big eggs/week from her.

We're got an australorp chick & a buff orp chick, too. the australorp chick loves to snuggle under my robe. The buff is friendly and loves to sit on my shoulder. The Australorp just about climbs over herself to get to my lap.