what is the best beginner breeds of chickens to deal with

[speckledhen]

I've seen a huge difference between the hatchery RIRs and the giant, dark true breeder quality RIRs. Let's just use the RIRs as an example. I've had both. The true heritage types were so much less assertive, quieter, just calmer birds, overall, though I loved all my RIR ladies, even the ones from Ideal.

The big breeder RIR girls just laid their eggs and left the nests, never caused any problems, never pushed anyone around, just were awesome, peaceful HUGE hens. Hatchery stock is just all over the place-sometimes they have aggressive strains, bad laying strains, just are not up to par for the breed they are supposed to be in so many ways. For more consistency, a true heritage type bird is what you'd want, IMO.

With hatchery stock, you may get a great bird in whatever breed, as far as laying ability anyway, but you just never know. My love of Barred Rocks started with hatchery stock, but some people haven't had the best luck with theirs. As a breed, they're supposed to be friendly, but not pushovers in the pecking order, and all of mine have been and are. They're supposed to be very consistent layers, as all of mine have been. They're supposed to be winter layers, albeit at a slightly reduced rate, as all of mine have been as well.

 

[harbortaylors]

So I will start by saying I am nowhere near an expert at this. I started my flock last year, and have had so-so luck with it. This is what I have learned:
My flock started with 4 golden sex link, 4 black sex link, 2 New Hampshire Reds, 2 California Leghorns, and 2 Auracanas (I probably spelled that wrong). After getting all of these and expecting a few males, I had one male, The Auracana.

From day one the Auracanas and the California Leghorns where very flighty. None of them ever really bonded with anybody in the family and they hated being touched. They wouldn't even take feed from our hands.

The reds, goldens. and blacks on the other hand were quite friendly. The black were the most friendly, and would often hop up on your hand for a cuddle and scratch during feeding and play times. The reds and goldens would come for a treat but kept their respective distance.

That said, none have ever pecked me or anybody in our home.

As they got a bit older, my New Hampshire Reds (which sadly were my favorite in regards to appearance) and my Auracanas just got mean towards the other girls. They mostly picked on the California Leghorns, to the point where I had to remove the Leghorns from the coop several times for "recovery and special treatment". I gave them baths, but bluecoat on where their feathers had been, and fed them treats all day long since they were in a recovery cage in my living room.

It got to a point where two months ago I culled my Auracana rooster and both of my new Hampshire's. They just would not stop picking on everybody else. Since I got rid of those three, the rest have gotten along pretty well. The golden sex links still pick on each other a bit, but not too bad. In my experience during the last year, if I were to buy more of these breeds (from local feed store) I would only buy the black cross links. I don't honestly know what exact breed they are, but they are pretty, well feathered, fairly stocky little birds and have good temperaments 99% of the time. My favorite one, whom I call Goldie, will even follow me around the back yard when I am doing chores or mowing and will come on command.

I hope that helps you some!

 

[flowerchild59]

My favorite laid back, friendly hens were turkens, barred rocks and cochins. They laid consistently and if you want a pretty egg basket, add an EE or ameraucana to the mix. The occasional blue egg is really nice.