What is a good breed combo for a beginner??

[CCourson05]

Silkies are fun and friendly. They are not the best egg layers, but they are cute and awesome!!

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

I vote Orpingtons, Australorps (definitely), Delaware, and you might consider Wyandottes too, they are sure pretty, and friendly too. All the breeds I have listed, I've raised from chicks, with kids, and they have been FABULOUS. I just got some Barred Rock babies, they are too young to handle yet, but I have high hopes that they'll fit right in!

 

[MissJenny]

So glad you're here -- this site is really addictive -- there are so many nice helpful people here and the information can not be beat.

Of your list, I would say Leghorns are known to be flighty... and it is my experience that Easter Eggers are a little schitzy too. (mine might simply have hopped out of a flakey gene pool.)

My Light Brahma and Cochins are calm and friendly as can be. Barred Rocks are very interactive. The other breeds mentioned -- Australorps, Orpingtons, Delawares and Wyandottes are known to be friendly.

What helps with any of them is frequent handling. They all seem very frightful and hyper as teens (just past the cute fluffy-puffy chicky age... But even if they don't like it, keep handling them -- they'll calm down.

Don't wait too long to decide because a lot of the hatcheries will be sold out by May or June -- they'll have some breeds year round, but not all.

Are you planning to order from a hatchery or pick them up at a feed store or buy from a breeder you know?

And again,

Jenny

 

[alhanse77]

I will also jump in and add that I think Barred Rocks (BR) and Buff Orpingtons (BO) are good "golden retriever" breeds. BOs are even colored like golden retrievers! Both are great layers. Between the two of mine alone, I get at least a dozen eggs per week. They are also inexpensive and commonly available at local feed stores in the spring. BOs and BRs are docile and friendly and not as flighty as our EEs. Good luck and let us know what you end up with!