Which of these is most well behaved?

[akahn01]

I need help picking a breed for my first chickens. My main goal is to have a great egg layer who is friendly and on the small side. Any suggestions?

Andrew

 

[Llysse]

In general, laying breeds are smaller, but can also be a little flighty. (Leghorns, for example, can be nervous, but they only weigh 4 or 5 pounds.) Friendlier, more docile birds are often the dual purpose backyard breeds like Orpingtons, for example, but they can weigh 8 lbs. That's not to say you can't find the right breed. I'm not entirely sure what you mean by small, though. If you get a bantam, which is about a quarter the size of a "regular" chicken, they may lay well, but the eggs tend to be smaller.

Hm. You might consider Rhode Island Reds. They're EXCELLENT layers, friendly and they weigh an average of 6 and a half pounds. Ameraucanas weigh around 5 and a half, are friendly and are very good layers, too. Maybe it would help if we knew what size you were looking for? There are lots of beautiful breeds out there.

 

[CarriBrown]

Andrew-
Go to www.feathersite.com and take a look at all the different breeds. There are so many cool chickens out there and I can't say I've ran across a "bad" breed.
Bantams are great little birds and a lot of times, there is a Bantam for every large breed (such as the cochins).

 

[salathiel]

I totally agree with the earlier comment about Rhode Island Reds and Araucanas. I have raised reds a number of times, and find them to be docile and easy-going hens...and of medium size. Smaller than Buffs or Jerseys, etc. I've only had a couple of araucanas, but they were two of best hens I have ever had...friendly and "got along well with others...". Alson medium in size. When I order chicks this summer, reds and aracaunas will be in the majority.

 

[Kelly FG]

black australorps are a little smaller then some of the heritage breeds. Mine is SUPER friendly & they are known to be great layers.
My EE's are smaller & good layers too.
I also have a red sex link that is small & a GREAT layer.

 

[jimnjay]

Barred Rocks are also a great layer and possibly more mellow than the RIR, at least in my experience.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Leghorns are lunatics! but great egglayers.
Brahmas are huge, and lay large eggs
Easter Eggers lay coloured eggs, and come in all sorts of styles themselves.

 

[Rooster01]

Rhose Island Reds are great layers and are somewhat small. Most of the ones I've had are very friendly.

Barred rocks are also good layers but are bigger. They are also very mellow.

Wyandottes are good layers and like Barred rocks, are big chickens. The ones I've had are mellow but somewhat flighty.

Black stars are great layers and are small but they tend to have bad tempers.

Leghorns are great layers but don't handle cold weather well and are very flighty.