If you are open to hybrids, then I would suggest Black Sex Links (Black Stars). They are hardy, calm, egg laying machines, and they can be sexed by color at hatching. Male chicks are black with a white spot on top of their heads and female chicks are solid black. The Black and Red Sex Links are the brown egg layers used by commercial laying houses because they are so prolific (my Blacks have been calmer and friendlier than my Reds which is why I'm recommending the Black Sex Links instead of the Red Sex Links. If you want a standard breed, as hybrids won't breed true, then I would suggest Black Australorps. They are very hardy, calm and gentle (my children, and now my granddaughter, made lap pets of ours), and they are the best layers of the standard, brown egg laying breeds. Whatever breed you decide to get, good luck with your flock.
