Best Backyard Chicken Breeds for Beginners | Friendly & Reliable Layers

When we first decided to raise chickens, I had no clue which breeds would be best for a beginner flock. I just knew I wanted friendly chickens that my kids could help care for – and of course, lots of fresh eggs! After plenty of research (and a little trial and error), we found a few breeds that were absolute superstars for first-time chicken keepers.

If you’re thinking about getting chickens and wondering which breeds are best for beginners, you’re in the right place! I’m sharing some of my favorite easygoing breeds that are perfect for first-time chicken keepers — plus a few fun personality quirks you can expect from each one.

👉 If you’re new to raising chickens, my Raising Backyard Chickens for Beginners Guide covers everything from choosing the right breed to building a predator-proof coop. Be sure to check it out!

When we first started picking out chicks, I had a short wishlist:

• Friendly and easy to handle (because I wanted my kids involved)
• Not too noisy (since we live close to neighbors)
• Pretty egg colors (because, let’s be honest, colorful eggs are just fun!)
  I figured that was all I needed to know — turns out, there’s a lot more to choosing the right breeds than just egg color!

Let’s go over the breeds we’ve personally owned and my thoughts on them as far as being good breeds for beginners.

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What Makes a Breed Beginner-Friendly?

Not every chicken breed is a perfect fit for a small backyard flock, especially if you’re just starting out. For beginners, I recommend breeds that are:

• Calm and easy to handle (especially if you have kids)
• Reliable egg layers
• Hardy in different weather conditions
• Not overly flighty or aggressive

These traits make your first experience with chickens much smoother, and they help you build confidence as a new chicken keeper.

✅ Friendly Reminder: Before bringing home any chicks, check your city’s rules about backyard chickens. My Backyard Chicken Regulations & City Ordinances: What You Need To Know Before Getting Chickens walks you through how to find the rules in your area — plus there’s a free printable checklist to keep track of everything!

My Top 4 Beginner-Friendly Chicken Breeds

1. Asian Black

Personality: Sweet, friendly, and easy-going
Egg Production: ~250-300 brown eggs per year
Why They’re Great: Our Asian Black hen has been one of the sweetest, calmest chickens in our flock. She’s quiet most of the time, but when she does speak up, it’s always because she’s keeping a watchful eye on the flock and something has her concerned. She’s also perfectly fine being held and is just an all-around laid-back, easygoing hen — making her a perfect fit for beginners or anyone wanting a gentle, low-drama chicken.

2. Smoky Pearl

Personality: Sweet, friendly, and easy-going
Egg Production: ~250-280 light brown eggs per year
Why They’re Great: Our Smoky Pearl hen was the most laid-back and quiet member of our flock. She rarely made a sound, happily stayed at the bottom of the pecking order, and just got along with everyone. Despite her easygoing personality, she was always friendly with us and perfectly fine being held — truly a gentle, no-drama chicken that’s perfect for beginners or anyone wanting a sweet, easy-to-care-for hen.

3. Starlight Green Egger

Personality: Sweet, friendly, and somewhat noisy
Egg Production: ~280-300 various shades of green or brown eggs per year
Why They’re Great: We had two Starlight Green Eggers, and they were hands-down the most social, interactive hens in our flock. They loved being in charge and were never shy about voicing their opinions — especially when it was time to lay their eggs! They did go broody from time to time, and their chatty nature made them a bit of a challenge in our city backyard where keeping the peace with neighbors mattered. But if a little noise isn’t a problem for you, their fun personalities and friendliness more than make up for it!

4. Sapphire Gem

Personality: Sweet, friendly, and easy-going, don’t love to be held
Egg Production: ~290-320 brown eggs per year
Why They’re Great: We have two Sapphire Gems in our flock, and they’ve been fantastic egg layers from the start. They’re friendly and easy to handle, though not quite as outgoing as some of our other hens — likely because they were born into our existing flock and stayed near the bottom of the pecking order. Overall, they’re quiet, low-maintenance, and reliable, making them a great choice for beginners or anyone wanting steady egg production without a lot of fuss.

👉 Once you’ve picked your breeds, make sure you have everything you need to raise happy, healthy chickens. My How to Set Up a Backyard Chicken Coop | Beginner’s Guide will walk you through setup, care, seasonal tips, and more.

What I’ve Learned Along the Way

I’ll be honest – when we first got chickens, I was mostly excited about the eggs. I wanted colorful eggs for pretty baskets, and I thought the chickens themselves would just do their thing.

Turns out, the eggs are great – but it’s the chickens themselves that totally stole my heart. From the way they follow me around to their nosy curiosity about whatever I’m doing, they’ve become the most entertaining part of our backyard hobby farm. If you’re new to chickens, trust me – the personality of your flock matters way more than the egg color!