If you are interested in raising pet chickens, and aren't sure which breeds you want, read on. There are so many choices when it comes to picking breeds, and here are my top 5 recomendations.
1. Orphingtons
Orphingtons are fluffy sweet chickens. They come in many varieties, Buff being the most common. They make great mothers, which means they go broody, and lay a large brown egg. They also make exceptional meat birds.
2. Cochins
These friendly birds are great pets! Large and feather footed, they make great lap chickens, and lay a medium brown egg. They also have a tendency towards being broody. Roosters are also said to be friendly.
3. Wyandottes
Wyandottes are super docile and friendly! They lay brown eggs, and go broody often. They come in some of the prettiest variety of poultry, most commonly golden and silver laced. My Wyandotte is about 5 weeks now, and he loves to cuddle. They are tricky to sex though, mine Defidently has me stumped!
4. Brahmas
Brahmas are large birds coming in 3 different varieties. They are friendly, and have feathered feet like the Cochin. Males can weigh up to 12 pounds! Hens will lay brown eggs, and yes, they go broody. Mine is a bit shy, he is super sweet after warming up to you though.
5. Amber-links
Finally! One that doesn't go broody! Amber-links are sweet hens with bright personalities, and lay lots large brown eggs. Mine is actually blind, and does take chicks under her wings at night, generally they don't go broody. Sometimes I forget she just started laying last week! She has been laying eggs 9 days in a row.
Many other breeds can be great pets! Generally duel purposes brown egg layers make the best pets, but many other breeds such as dorkings also are popular amongst backyard chicken keepers. These are my personal favorites so far. I have buff Orphingtons, a silver laced Wyandotte, light Brahma, and a super sweet blind Amber-link, as well as many other breeds. I haven't gotten my hands on a Cochin yet though. I'm hoping this was helpful in picking out your backyard flock.
1. Orphingtons
Orphingtons are fluffy sweet chickens. They come in many varieties, Buff being the most common. They make great mothers, which means they go broody, and lay a large brown egg. They also make exceptional meat birds.
2. Cochins
These friendly birds are great pets! Large and feather footed, they make great lap chickens, and lay a medium brown egg. They also have a tendency towards being broody. Roosters are also said to be friendly.
3. Wyandottes
Wyandottes are super docile and friendly! They lay brown eggs, and go broody often. They come in some of the prettiest variety of poultry, most commonly golden and silver laced. My Wyandotte is about 5 weeks now, and he loves to cuddle. They are tricky to sex though, mine Defidently has me stumped!
4. Brahmas
Brahmas are large birds coming in 3 different varieties. They are friendly, and have feathered feet like the Cochin. Males can weigh up to 12 pounds! Hens will lay brown eggs, and yes, they go broody. Mine is a bit shy, he is super sweet after warming up to you though.
5. Amber-links
Finally! One that doesn't go broody! Amber-links are sweet hens with bright personalities, and lay lots large brown eggs. Mine is actually blind, and does take chicks under her wings at night, generally they don't go broody. Sometimes I forget she just started laying last week! She has been laying eggs 9 days in a row.
Many other breeds can be great pets! Generally duel purposes brown egg layers make the best pets, but many other breeds such as dorkings also are popular amongst backyard chicken keepers. These are my personal favorites so far. I have buff Orphingtons, a silver laced Wyandotte, light Brahma, and a super sweet blind Amber-link, as well as many other breeds. I haven't gotten my hands on a Cochin yet though. I'm hoping this was helpful in picking out your backyard flock.
