Based on your criteria, I would recommend going with one of the better laying, docile, dual purpose breeds. Keep in mind though that broodiness and high egg production do not go together as broody hens do not lay. The best laying dual purpose breeds (Australorps and Rhode Island Reds) only infrequently go broody, and the broodiest breeds (Silkies and Cochins) are typically poor layers. I would recommend going with one of the good laying breeds that have a reputation for being calm and gentle (good lap pets) such as Australorps, Orpingtons, Faverolles, Sussex, or Brahmas. These breeds will typically give you 3-4 eggs per week per hen (5-6 eggs in the case of the Australorps). Of course keep in mind that there can always be an exception with any breed. If you don't mind hybrids, Sex Links are the best brown egg layers in the world, consistently churning out more than 300 large brown eggs per hen per year. I especially love the Black Sex Links (Black Stars) which are very friendly and hardy, egg laying machines and are especially persistent layers in really cold winter weather when most other breeds have stopped or virtually stopped laying. Whatever breeds (or hybrids) you decide to get, good luck with your flock.
