prospective chicken owner needs breed advice

[fldiver97]

channell45...my Faverolle was 5 weeks old when I got her, the others were 3 weeks old. So she was a bit bigger. I was worried that she would get bullied but she is not having any problems. She is the friendliest of them all. The wyandottes are pretty quiet but range in temperament from outgoing happy to quiet and shy. My EE is also quiet. No eggs yet but the breeder said they are good layers even thru winter with a little extra light.
Buff Orps seem to be pretty quiet but I guess they may tend to get broody??? Not sure

 

[hcammack]

I would get a mix of Delaware, Faverolles, Marans, and Ameraucanas. I love these breeds all are friendly I don't know if there quite but it varies from chicken to chicken. Delawares and faverolles lay really well and marans and ameraucanas just add color and lay alright. I love all four of these breeds and own them and run my own egg buisness so they are alright layers.

 

[LA~Poulet]

I have to agree, I've never had orps, but I love the personalities of my Delawares & Faverolles best. Calm, laid back, friendly, will walk up to you, don't fuss about being handled. I like my buff Brahmas as well, but it looks like I have three cockerels, so I can't comment on females of that breed.

It's funny the difference in temperament from one breed to another. My brown & black leghorns, minorcas, & welsummers are incredibly flighty. My barred rocks are smart and friendly, but bullies, and my rhode island reds like to beat up on everyone-and that is true for all that I have of each breed. The RIR also are not friendly birds. Our Barred Rocks are the only ones who have layed all summer, rarely ever missing a day.

We have some 3 1/2 week old Jersey giants, Easter Eggers, & 2 BC Marans. The EE are all over the place, some calm, some crazy, the Jersey giants act normal, but the 2 BC Marans chicks were the first to fly up over the side of their brooder, and sit very contentedly in your hands like they enjoy being held while all the other chicks are more nervous. I'm loving their personalities so far, I hope they don't change.