Which Breeds Would Be Good for a Newbie?

[Broxi]

My original flock was 3 EE and a Barred Rock. The EE are kinda flighty, but I love the eggs. The BR is my girl LOL. "The Baroness" is definitely the head hen and is now asserting herself over the new additions, but is not mean to them. I've always planned to have a very mixed flock with a lot of color variety so I have refrained from getting more BR so far, but she is my favorite and is a great all around chicken. You almost can't go wrong with most of the breeds that show up at say Tractor Supply for beginning chickens. If you want to order specifics, then you've gotten a ton of good ideas from everyone so far and I won't muddy that further.

 

[nolotus]

My original flock was 3 EE and a Barred Rock. The EE are kinda flighty, but I love the eggs. The BR is my girl LOL. "The Baroness" is definitely the head hen and is now asserting herself over the new additions, but is not mean to them. I've always planned to have a very mixed flock with a lot of color variety so I have refrained from getting more BR so far, but she is my favorite and is a great all around chicken. You almost can't go wrong with most of the breeds that show up at say Tractor Supply for beginning chickens. If you want to order specifics, then you've gotten a ton of good ideas from everyone so far and I won't muddy that further.

Thanks! Yes, barred rocks are on my list. Right AFTER orpingtons, so I don't get another smack from OneHappyRooster...
Someone mentioned the EE roosters are good protectors. You mentioned your "original flock" does that mean chicken math got you, too.
I'll check into Tractor Supply since I've seen it mentioned several times.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Leghorns and Sussex's definitely. And maybe EEs.

 

[trescloudy]

Cornish Cross

Just kidding there

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Thanks! Yes, barred rocks are on my list. Right AFTER orpingtons, so I don't get another smack from OneHappyRooster...
Someone mentioned the EE roosters are good protectors. You mentioned your "original flock" does that mean chicken math got you, too.
I'll check into Tractor Supply since I've seen it mentioned several times.

My EE rooster protected one of my hens from an unknown predator. She would have died without him. He also protected my flock from a muskrat or gopher or something.... (when something is attacking your flock, adrenaline makes everything a little fuzzy.) I'm so lucky to have him.

 

[Broxi]

Thanks! Yes, barred rocks are on my list. Right AFTER orpingtons, so I don't get another smack from OneHappyRooster...
Someone mentioned the EE roosters are good protectors. You mentioned your "original flock" does that mean chicken math got you, too.
I'll check into Tractor Supply since I've seen it mentioned several times.

This year I've added 1 Crested Cream Legbar, 2 Light Brahma, 1 Black Orpington ( supposed to have been blue, but they are blue/black/splash), and 1 Sapphire Splash. One of the Brahma turned out to be a cockrell, so we'll see how he works out. I got the Orpington specifically because they are notoriously broody and I'd like a hen to do that work for me next year.

 

[black_cat]

Thanks! Yes, barred rocks are on my list. Right AFTER orpingtons, so I don't get another smack from OneHappyRooster...
Someone mentioned the EE roosters are good protectors. You mentioned your "original flock" does that mean chicken math got you, too.
I'll check into Tractor Supply since I've seen it mentioned several times.

Trust me on this- cochins WAY are better than orps in the puffifluffiness department.

I rest my case.
If I were to give you a list of 12 starting breeds, I'd say:
Cochin
Plymouth Rock, probably barred but other colors work too
Australorp
Leghorn, probably white but other colors work too and exchequer is beautiful
Easter Egger
Olive Egger-lay green eggs
Cream Legbar-lay blue eggs AND autosexing
Marans, probably black copper but other colors are great too
Brahma, I prefer light or buff but dark is cool too
Wyandotte, I prefer silver laced but golden laced are amazing too
orpington, i hate the color buff but some people like it, i prefer lavender or jubilee
Now, these next ones aren't exactly starter breeds, but for a bit of fun I'd add a polish or a salmon faverolle.

 

[Peristeria]

I’d be so appreciative of any and all opinions on breeds, brooders v. incubating, etc

I don't have chickens (illegal ) but I do have advice on incubating! I love to hatch them because it is so amazing to watch them hatch! They just pop out and it is very startling when all they have been doing for their whole life is sitting in their egg, just hanging out.

I have a little giant incubator with a (diy forced air) computer fan held up to the plexiglass panel with pipe-cleaners. It works surprisingly well! There is no way I would buy another one if I could go back in time. I would just get a styrofoam cooler, square plexiglass window, and a heater and make it myself, because they are basically the same thing and it is considerably cheaper than the $40 styrofoam box . I do enjoy that it was pre-built because the temperature regulation sounds intimidating to me, haha.

If you don't know already, you will have to turn the eggs if you are hatching them, so if you don't want to do that, you can look at an incubator with an egg turner. I made one myself, a little extra work but it was worth it! I only incubate a small number of eggs at a time (10-20ish), so I have the option to hand turn them, I'm not sure how many you are wanting.

Good luck with your new coop/chickens!!!

 

[nolotus]

Trust me on this- cochins WAY are better than orps in the puffifluffiness department.
View attachment 2428350
I rest my case.
If I were to give you a list of 12 starting breeds, I'd say:
Cochin
Plymouth Rock, probably barred but other colors work too
Australorp
Leghorn, probably white but other colors work too and exchequer is beautiful
Easter Egger
Olive Egger-lay green eggs
Cream Legbar-lay blue eggs AND autosexing
Marans, probably black copper but other colors are great too
Brahma, I prefer light or buff but dark is cool too
Wyandotte, I prefer silver laced but golden laced are amazing too
orpington, i hate the color buff but some people like it, i prefer lavender or jubilee
Now, these next ones aren't exactly starter breeds, but for a bit of fun I'd add a polish or a salmon faverolle.

Thanks for the list! And that has got to be the fluffiest softest looking chicken I've ever seen. I want to pick her up and snuggle!

 

[black_cat]

Thanks for the list! And that has got to be the fluffiest softest looking chicken I've ever seen. I want to pick her up and snuggle!

Cochins are the best. No orp could ever reach that level of fluffiness. My friend has two- they're the best.