Chickens

Since we looked at our property we knew that raising dual purpose chickens was going to happen. We want to be more self-sufficient and eat much healthier and chicken is something we eat the most of. I have done so so much research into breeds, diseases, and common injuries it's a lot to soak in. I believe I finally found the chickens we want! How did I figure it out? Well, I knew we wanted to raise chickens for eggs, meat, to till, and to fertilize the garden. I had to calculate how many eggs we eat in a week. Some chickens don't lay as many eggs as others so that was something to consider when choosing a breed. We need about 2 dozen eggs a week.
Here was my starting list and how I narrowed it down:

Ameraucana- This is a breed that I was told would be best for my family. They are a large fowl but their main purpose is egg laying and only lay about 3 eggs a week.

Astralorp- This breed I hear amazing things about. How friendly they are and great with kids. They're a dual purpose large fowl that lays about 5 eggs a week. That is great! Except... they tend to be broody and we don't need a broody hen we don't want to hatch chicks and won't have a rooster(against our ordinances)

Orpington- Another breed I hear lovely things about and this one was hard for us to not choose. They're a dual purpose large fowl(some are bantams) that only lay about 3 eggs a week and get broody. 

Silkie- These gals are bantams who look like they just left the disco are more for pets. They aren't that great for laying(about 3 per week) or a meat bird. These were on our to purchase list(for a pet, not meat) but nowhere has them for the time frame we need or if they do you have to order a min of 15 Silkies. We want a total of 6 hens so that doesn't work sadly.

Red Star-  I really debated on these ladies I hadn't heard really anything about them anywhere. They are a dual purpose large fowl that lays about 5 eggs per week. I've really only come across the Golden Buffs which we will be purchasing 2 of these.

Speckled Sussex- If you have never seen a Speckled Sussex to me they are just so pretty! These gals are dual purpose large fowl that lay about 4 eggs per week. I'm aware they can go broody but I have also heard people say that theirs never have. We will be ordering 2 of these as well.

Rhode Island Red- Thru all of my research I have read the most about this particular breed. They are great for eggs laying about 5 eggs per week and meat. They don't really get broody and they are so friendly. We will be purchasing 2 of these as well.

Why choose different breeds and not just one? My husband asked the same thing! I want to get 2-3 different breeds that way when we are ready to order more chicks we know which ones we really like. I think the variety is nice! With the chickens, we will be ordering we will get about 28 eggs a week. 

What is your favorite breed?