Selecting the right chicken breed for beginners

[Bigtom Turkey]

My first chicken when I was a kid was a SLW hen, named Blacky.

 

[Ryguy3684]

My Buff Orpingtons were/are great birds. Very friendly for those wanting pets as well as eggs. I'm in Virginia, and that's about the hottest climate I'd want them in. They need a little help cooling off in the hot/humid summer days. On the flip side, they are very cold hardy.