It has been a long time since I was involved with chickens, so most of these opinions are based on research rather than actual experience. I highly recommend a person do their due diligence research when it comes to chickens. Which are good layers, which are good broody hens, which are quiet, which are noisy, which are susceptible to illnesses, as well as their local laws about raising chickens in suburban and urban areas.
Here are the chickens (and other fowl) I believe I would want on a homestead:
Indian Red Jungle Fowl chickens
Leghorn chickens
Barred Plymouth Rock chickens
Rhode Island Red chickens
Midget White turkeys
Bourbon Red turkeys
Muscovy ducks
Mallard ducks
Pilgrim ducks
Canada Goose
Coturnix quail
Guinea Fowl (great for insect control [ticks], intruder warning)
Just my opinion.