From your list, we have had Black Giants (which are also called Jersey Giants), Auracanas, Speckled Sussex, Wyandottes, Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds.
We don’t handle the chickens much at all when they are young, and consequently none of them want to be pet or held. Ours are free range. They will come quite close to us, however, and come when they are called. They are full of different personalities, alliances and opinions. They gossip all day among themselves and put themselves to bed at night.
Of those listed, we have been most pleased with the Black Giants (they are really big!). They are good layers, a beautiful glossy black and large enough that lots of varmints think twice about approaching them. They are also calm and may be possible “pet-type” chickens, if that’s of interest. They also seem the smartest. The Sussex are excellent layers and beautiful - russet colors and wonderfully full feathered. The Auracanas lay colored eggs and can be pretty birds as well. The Wyandottes are also speckled in a lovely way and they are good layers.
I would not again get Barred Rocks or Rhode Island Reds, for the reason that they just don’t seem as interesting color wise as the others. We have 22 or so chickens…it’s hard to tell the difference between 5 identical red hens or 4 very similar barred hens - but you’ll have so few that this won’t likely be an issue for you.
One note: we had a Barred Rock rooster sent to us as a mistake with the pullets we ordered. He was fine until about a year old and then he was a genuine bad-ass who’d fly at you when your back was turned and attack with his spurs outstretched. So. He’s gone now.
Caring for them is easy, once you have a routine. Setting up a place for them can be done in a weekend - honestly, it’s that easy. You’ll have fun! And you’ll come up with lots of egg dishes for dinner.
