What breed of chicken should I get?

[Bigwig]

I am looking for a breed of chicken that is: a good layer, matures early, is cold hardy, and is fairly non-aggressive. Any ideas on what breed I should get?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I am looking for a breed of chicken that is: a good layer, matures early, is cold hardy, and is fairly non-aggressive. Any ideas on what breed I should get?

There are several breeds that would fit this list - so, to narrow it a bit further, do you have a preference on egg color, do you have a size preference (big, heavy bodied vs. smaller/lighter birds), do you need a bird that is good with confinement or one that geared towards foraging, etc?

Sex links are great for production, mature pretty quickly and are cold hardy - and they have the added advantage of no "oops" cockerels coming in your pullet order since they are sexed on sight based on color at hatch.

 

[Bigwig]

Egg color does not matter, size of bird doesn't matter as long as they are good layers, I would prefer chickens that are good with confinement though foraging breeds are okay (I have a large yard that I let my flock into for a few hours daily).