Only able to get 5 Chickens - help me pick breeds!

[SandyRiverChick]

Here are some that we liked from catalogs/family friends:
Rhode Island Reds
Barred Rocks
Orpingtons
Americauna
Easter/Olive eggers
Whitings (true blue/true green)
Leg Bars

I like your list for a rainbow. To narrow down to 5 I would exclude RIR, Whiting, BR and add a Maran's (Cuckoo will look like BR but give you dark brown eggs.)

 

[janiedoe]

My friendliest birds are/and have been (basing this on multiple birds of the same breed)
from most friendly:
Bantam cochins
Crested cream legbars
Dark brahmas
Naked necks
Buff orpingtons
Lavender and blue orpingtons
Black langshans
Cuckoo marans

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. An Orpington, an Australorp, A Marans, and two Easter Eggers will give you a pretty flock producing a colorful egg basket.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I too have never owned an Orpington but constantly hear what sweet friendly birds they are. I did meet a group of them recently and they were friendly. I'm throwing my hat in for an Australorp, a Rock of any color, and some Easter Eggers.

 

[w145jlk]

Do you all think Easter eggers over Americaunas?

What’s the best/nicest blue or green egg layer?

 

[N F C]

Hi, it's fun to pick your first ever flock! Out of those on your list, I enjoyed the EE's, Barred Rocks and the RIR (ours were very friendly, not everyone has had that experience). I also especially liked the Speckled Sussex and the Welsummer for friendliness even though they didn't make your list.

 

[sourland]

Do you all think Easter eggers over Americaunas?

What’s the best/nicest blue or green egg layer?

Any birds advertised as Americanas/Americaunas are probably Easter Eggers - true Ameraucanas are generally available from breeders.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Do you all think Easter eggers over Americaunas?

What’s the best/nicest blue or green egg layer?

This is a good question and my experience is that all blue and green egg layers are nice birds. Where are you thinking of getting them? Reason I ask is same fact above by Sour, you can get Americauna's but it's harder so either a breeder or from a hatchery after confirming with the hattery they're true Americauna's. Feed stores if advertising them will really have EE's. And that just means you'll get either blue or green, you never know. When I want to make sure I have a blue layer and I'm going to my feed store, I get Creme Legbar. Sweet birds.

 

[w145jlk]

I’m planning to get them next spring

 

[AidKD]

Howdy! Welcome to Backyard Chickens! We're so glad that you decided to join us!