Which breed is best?

[Chickfever]

I have a mix in my yard, but I was wondering which breed of chicken you like best? Here are my specifics:

good egg layer
friendly - especially to children
would like a broody hen but not pertinent
good forager
not too flashy (I have an open area so I don't want them to attract the attention of every hawk that flies overhead)
......

anything I'm missing?

*****
oh, I have a mixed roo, 5 black sexlink hens, 1 production red hen, 1 mix of a tophat and CA white (who is broody right now!), 1 buff orp roo (who HATES & attacks white shoes), 2 Americaunas (who haven't laid an egg since 2 days after I bought them

), 4 mix of RIR, barred rock, and buff (not sure, lady sold them as RIR but she had all 3 hens in one pen and they all had multi babies, plus they do not look pure RIR).

 

[KingsCalls]

Orpingtons fit that pretty well, as do Dominiques. Maybe someone else will give their thoughts. (what am I saying? SURE someone else will give their thoughts!)

 

[Dilly]

What about Brahams? I may not of even spelled it correctly. Are they lower keyed laid back and good egg producers?

 

[gritsar]

The brahmas are reported to be: good to fair egg layers (depending on the source you read), docile, able to forage well, cold hardy and heat tolerant. As far as "flashy" goes, they are flashy in that they are beautiful; but they wouldn't necessarily stick out more than any other breed; except for maybe the light brahmas. Broodiness is a toss up I'd say. I've heard some say they are, others that they are not. The only thing I know for sure at this point is that mine are very hardy.

 

[Chickfever]

Still undecided as to what I want as "my" breed but I like the mixed guys and gals anyway

.

Thanks!

 

[tiki244]

orpingtons and rocks they both come in lots of colors

 

[greyfields]

No chicken breed is the best. Select breeds which you like the looks of, as you'll be seeing them every day for up to the next 15 years.

Seriously. The differences between breeds are subtle and nuianced. Choose the ones that speak to you.

For me, looking at your list, I like Black Sex Links. Expect 100 different answers from 100 different people.

 

[kstaven]

My favorite breed is the one I happen to be working with at that particular time, or the one I am learning something new about.