TOTAL NEWBIE QUESTION: What's the best 'starter' flock for a small woodland homestead?

[Mrs. K]

you can wait til puberty, 4-5 months

 

[ailurophile23]

I have light brahmas - great for cold weather, large size helps with respect to some predators, really docile (even the rooster) and friendly. Being in the woods, you might want a darker colored bird and brahmas do come in other color combinations. Our first roo (NOT a brahma) was very agressive once he matured but the brahma roo we have now came from a farm where they had a toddler and all of their brahma roos were docile. Our roo protects our hens well and is not too rough when mating them (no bald spots or scratches on the hens). One more breed to possibly consider for a variety flock.

 

[fiddlebanshee]

I just got rid of our Brahmas because they were loud and aggressive towards the other chickens, and very unfriendly to us (no aggression, just running away and not be tolerated to be picked up). I sold them and now my flock is so much more at ease and quieter.

Just to say not to take any breed recommendations at face value. Individual temperaments vary considerably. Things to look for, imho, would be cold hardiness and ability to forage and camouflage.