Opinions on which chicks to order?

[Angiebubs]

I am having a difficult time trying to narrow my choices down...I am hoping to order just 4 chicks.....that way I can enjoy them more in small batches.
Info:
Live in WI-so need chickens that can handle -30 up to 90 degrees and humid
Have plenty of room in coop and run
Will be with mixed breeds/sizes
Want primarily for personality/disposition as well as decent egg layer

With that said-which four should I choose of the following list??????

Black Frizzle Cochin
Salmon Favorelle
Blue Andalusian
Silver Laced Wyndotte
Easter Egger
Blue Cochin
Light Brahma
Mille Fleur D'Uccle
Silver or Silver LacedPolish

 

[Poultrybonkers]

If it were me id get
Salmon
Silver laced
Ee
Light braham

 

[popsicle]

I'm in WI and I've been happy with my Brahmas and EE.

 

[DelilahJones]

Also in WI. I am very happy with the laying and disposition of my Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons and EE's.

 

[scrange79]

I've found that my Wyandottes are the best "winter month" layers in my mixed flock. I have a cochin that is very fun to watch - silly and always first to the back door when it opens - but I think personalities are different from chicken to chicken. I love my mixed flock. Have fun with yours

Angie

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I always liked Henderson's chicken chart when picking out chicken breeds.

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

For temperament and cold hardiness, I usually go with heavy breeds and smaller combs.

For personality and egg laying, it's been hard to beat my Faverolles and Plymouth Rocks. Both have been the type to come over and sit in your lap, if they're welcome. They've been really good foragers, too. My Faverolles are my best mosquito eaters. Even though it's a drop in the bucket, it makes me feel better. Plus, I love the way they look.

I've never had cochins or brahmas, but people always say lots of good things about them and seem to really love them.

Although most people say their EEs are some of the nicest chickens in their flock, the ones I had must have been mixed with something more aggressive. I had problems with mine being aggressive to some of the other chickens in the flock.

The Andalusians I raised were definitely not as mellow as the other breeds I've had. I was raising them for my neighbor. I don't know how cold hardy they ended up being, with larger combs. I usually go for calmer birds, with smaller combs.

Polish are very nice birds. I would trim their crests if they have trouble seeing. Since I free range, I need them to be able to see well. Sometimes when they can't see well, it makes them more shy, too.

I'm not sure how cold hardy frizzles are, because of their feather abnormality. Maybe some other people can comment on that.

I also love Australorps, Sussex and Orpingtons, even though you need fewer chickens on your list, not more!

 

[fowlsessed]

salmon favorelle, easter eggers, wyndotte and brahmas.

 

[Angiebubs]

Thank you for all the great input!! I forgot to mention I currently have barred rocks, black orpington, and then the following mixes: dorking x blk orpingtons, and cochin x (ee or favorelle or? Lil cuties with facial muffs and feathered legs) a black sex linked, dorking x iowa blue mix and one top hat mix. So currently of the 15 I have, 8 are black!!! one white/black, 3 BRs, and one golden banty...so thinking I want some other colors.

I'm pretty sure that with this order a SL Wyndotte and a EE are givens....

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm not familiar with Andalusians but are supposed to be rugged foragers and great for cold.
Depending on the line, in my experience, Cochins and Polish aren't reliable layers. Polish are also susceptible to predators.
The rest of your list is good.

 

[Angiebubs]

I really want a blue/grey....and am ordering from MPC-with what Im looking for it seems that the blue cochin or blue andalusian are the only choices? and the blue andalusian would give me white eggs-only one in my flock I beleive..