What are the best chicken breeds for starters?

[Fwoof]

I know someone who wants to start her own flock, but she doesn't know what breeds to start off with.
She's looking for docile, non agressive/flighty breeds, and I suggested starting with something like Orpingtons, Seramas or Easter Eggers.
But there are a lot of breeds out there, and I want to know what breeds YOU think are good and how they're good to start off with.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Definitely orpingtons! Good layers, docile, sweet, and good mommas too!

 

[Chicks in VA]

I know someone who wants to start her own flock, but she doesn't know what breeds to start off with.
She's looking for docile, non agressive/flighty breeds, and I suggested starting with something like Orpingtons, Seramas or Easter Eggers.
But there are a lot of breeds out there, and I want to know what breeds YOU think are good and how they're good to start off with.

i would say cinnamon queens

 

[Sussex19]

Sussex, in my opinion.

 

[Tonyroo]

It would help what she wants the chickens for? A pet, eggs, or meat/ both?

 

[SilverBirds]

Is you friend wanting chickens for eggs, meat, dual, or pets? What is your friends general location?

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

It would help what she wants the chickens for? A pet, eggs, or meat/ both?

2x

But for docile breeds definitely orpingtons.

 

[Percheron chick]

All suggestions are a good choice. I would recommend a mix. Let her experience the breeds she is interested in and go from there.
I raise 50-200 pullets a year catering predominantly to first time owners. I stick with a nice selection of mostly DP breeds. Orpington, EEs, OEs, barred rocks, Sussex, Cochin, wyandotte, Welsummer... and a few leghorn just because they are such great layers. Too many good breeds out there.

 

[TXchickmum]

We started with red stars, orpingtons, an Australorp, and a wyandotte. We also had an Old English game bantam and a Japanese bantam. All were very sweet, docile birds that were good layers. -Japanese bantam stayed broody half the time, though.

 

[3KillerBs]

She should pick the prettiest chickens.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/go-ahead-pick-the-prettiest-chickens.76277/

While degree of docility and tameness varies tremendously from individual to individual, I find that my Blue Australorps are extremely calm and laid-back. They're not cuddly (though I didn't raise them for that), but they follow me around.

Likewise my French Cuckoo Marans -- absolutely no drama in that bunch.

The tamest, friendliest birds in the flock have been the Dominiques and the one standard-sized, Silver-Laced Cochin.