So many breeds.....which one is right for me?

[LilMissChickaD]

I am new to the chicken scene and I am trying to figure out which breed is right for me. My daddy has had RIR and he recommended them but I read where they can be noisy (I am only wanting hens no roosters). So then I started researching other breeds and when I think I finally settled on one I read that they are really noisy. I would like a good egglayer and a friendly disposition and our winters don't get to bad here lowest maybe in the high teens to low twenties and sometimes those are few and far between. I do live in a neighborhood but I do not have HOA's and I am allowed to have up to 8 hens due to the size of my lot but I am only looking to get 3. So long story short which breeds do you recommend as being more on the quieter side? I realize that they do make noise I am just curious if one breed stands out among the others as being quieter. Thank you all so much-I have learned so much from BYC. My brain is on chicken overload!

 

[groundpecker]

All chickens make noise. Hens will usually make the " I just laid and egg" song, no matter what breed.

I have 6 breeds and the hens all make noise. As long as there are no roosters crowing, you should be able to choose any breed you want.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Orpingtons and Cochins.

 

[Lynndaybrown]

Some nice mellow and friendly hens that would make good starter birds are Silkies, Welsummers,Cochins and Orphingtons but really all birds are individuals and you can occasionally get a loud bird in a generally quiet breed. Overall though most hens aren't very loud. My dogs are much louder than my hens.

 

[chicklady2012]

I have buff orpington , barred rock and an ideal! most people dont realize I have them! I do have a barred rock roo who is the boss!

 

[donkeyfoal]

If I was to start over with my chickens, even though I have none of these, I would have Buckeyes, Welsummers, or Speckled Sussex. I do have Barred Rock, Austrolorp. White Rock, Americauna, sex links, a few leghorns, and a few other, and I do have one gorgeous Sp. Sussex roo, but no girl for him yet. My problem is that I "rescue" all different breeds. It's hard to breed only one breed. I get some really pretty girls and roos. I could never recommend one breed. Each has its' advantages. Do your research.

 

[christiev]

I have some bantam cochins and they make the best pets. They come (usually) when I call them and wait patiently for me to lift them out of their coop. I'm in love with the breed. The most quite bird I've ever had was a Silkie though...she never said a word but her personality wasn't as big. Good luck finding the right fit.

 

[Chicken Tamer]

silkies dont make much sound

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

My Wyandotte is a very, very loud bird. I like EEs and BOs, and d'Uccles are my favorite as far as pets. Speckled Sussexes are good, and RIRs are very friendly and mine are all quiet.

 

[goldfinches]

Have you got a preference in egg color? Size? Amount of eggs layed a week?

I have quite an assortment of hens. My favorites are my buff orpingtons, easter eggers, welsummer, and leghorn. The leghorns, though, are super noisy! My BO goes broody often. The EE's lay well and are curious and friendly. The welsummer is also curious and super friendly.

I also have red stars. They're excellent, dependable layers, fairly friendly and kind to each other.