What chicken breeds should I have in my future six hen flock?

[ArtemisV]

Just so you guys know, I live in Lincolnton (on the Lincoln County/Gaston County borderline) in North Carolina. I can't go to anyone outside of North Carolina unless I can contact them online and have the chicks shipped. o_o

I'm now looking at the Australorp, Buff Orpington, and Speckled Sussex. I think they're fairly popular breeds. When I'm actually ready to get chicks, I'll start calling around poultry farms and etc near my area. As for good breeding, I guess I'll just have to get lucky. I don't think I have any way of knowing if the chickens are well bred or not.

 

[GarthRyan]

If you're going to buy them from a feed store or some place similar you could ask them about ordering the ones you want. Chances are they will do it because all they're focused on is providing chickens to people and making some profit. At least I feel like my local feed store would do it, they're very kind. Maybe your feed store will be nice too.