What breed would you suggest?

[Welshies]

This is the first breed I considered but was told that they are very docile and timid.

Sovile and timis are not the same thing.
What are your goals?
Eggs?
Meat?
Broodiness?
Temperament?
Color?

 

[CannedMonster]

Sounds like you want birds that are a bit self-sufficient? Able to take care of themselves...sort of (they are livestock after all so will need some looking after). I recommend Buckeyes. I've never had them myself, but I hear good things about their forging abilities and even that they are mousers.

 

[Mrs. K]

I have heard that too about Buck eyes. But never had any.

My advice, is get a mixed bunch. Many a time I have thought, I will like this breed best, and not like that one at all to be surprised. Try several of the birds up above, you should add a couple production reds too, they won't go broody (usually, but you will have other breeds to do that) and they lay lots of eggs.

Mrs K

 

[Alwaysready]

Sounds like you want birds that are a bit self-sufficient? Able to take care of themselves...sort of (they are livestock after all so will need some looking after). I recommend Buckeyes. I've never had them myself, but I hear good things about their forging abilities and even that they are mousers.

You hit the nail on the head. I will give them proper care. I like animals that would be considered rustic meaning that they have their original instincts intact. I would rather not have a flock of victims. Please understand I know that chickens must be cared for I just want the ones that I get to be as close to homestead types as possible.

 

[Welshies]

You hit the nail on the head. I will give them proper care. I like animals that would be considered rustic meaning that they have their original instincts intact. I would rather not have a flock of victims. Please understand I know that chickens must be cared for I just want the ones that I get to be as close to homestead types as possible.

So ones that go broody, raise their own babies, forage well, are hardy?
Wyandottes.

 

[Alwaysready]

Sovile and timis are not the same thing.
What are your goals?
Eggs?
Meat?
Broodiness?
Temperament?
Color?

All of the above as a kid I remember the cats were afraid of the chickens.

 

[RodNTN]

I'd go with Buckeyes

 

[Folly's place]

Buckeyes are one of the breeds that should work for you, but I'd recommend getting a mixed group of chick breeds that sound good, and see what you like.
Plymouth Rocks, Speckled Sussex, Wyandottes, Easter Eggers for those green eggs. French Marans for dark brown eggs. Then there are Javas, another old breed. Look at Henderson's breed chart, feathersite, and the Livestock Conservancy for ideas, pick a few breeds, order straight run chicks, and see how it goes!
Birds I thought would be wonderful, weren't, and birds that came in a mixed order, I sometimes loved!
Mary

 

[CannedMonster]

You hit the nail on the head. I will give them proper care. I like animals that would be considered rustic meaning that they have their original instincts intact. I would rather not have a flock of victims. Please understand I know that chickens must be cared for I just want the ones that I get to be as close to homestead types as possible.

Oh no I didn't mean to suggest you wouldn't give them proper care! So sorry!
I know what you mean about rustic, etc. It's unfortunate that we seem to have bred out the natural instincts of a lot of animals and they don't really know how to engage in some natural behaviors anymore (raising their own young, knowing how to avoid predators, etc).
A mixed flock is a great idea and I am trying to do the also. I'm trying to find the birds that work best for my situation.
I need birds that won't fly/jump my chain link fence and go wandering around the neighborhood lol

 

[BantyChooks]

Leghorns aren't DP or broody, but they have brilliant instincts... real good at surviving.