lovin'mychicks :
So I have noticed this question on several other threads already and I thought this might be the most fitting place to get so input.
I have noticed, since expanding our farm to several breeds, that some are more family friendly or make better pets. I strongly believe that the "friendless" is closely tied to the amount of time spent petting them and just hanging out with them. And sometimes it has to do more with the bird's personality rather than the breed's characteristics.
Do you guys agree? Could you share your favorite breeds that make great pets? Any methods used to "tame" your flock??
Yep, I agree. Sometimes it's how much time you spend and sometimes its the breed and sometimes its the individual bird. And sometimes it's none of that, and no matter how hard you try, one or another will simply shun you.
By now, Im convinced that chickens dont really need us. It is really the other way round in our relationship.
If it weren't for the feed bucket we tote, they wouldn'y pay us half of their already small mind. I'm one of those who just pretty much leaves them alone and allows them to be chickens. I don't ask them to cuddle or sit on my head or any of the other silly pet tricks people demand of them.
I reckon any critter that will just as soon s**t on my head as sit on it, doesn't require too much coddling, you know?
But I know that others will pet-o-fy any animal that can be captured or stands still long enough to be subjected to such things.
In this, chickens can be counted... well, if you approach them calmly and cooly. Lunge or lurch at them, and you'll stand there empty handed, looking fairly foolish.
Some of the birds I've found that seem to innately take to humans are Australorps, Orpingtons and Plymouth Rocks. These breeds needed little coaxing to at least accept my presence, while a few seemed actually inquisitive as to what I was up to.
Some will say Silkies and their really big Asian cousins, the Cochins and Brahma's, also make good pet chickens.
Most recommend some course of hand feeding from the earliest age and constant "bonding time" in the chicken yard as the way to "get tight" with your chickens.
On the other end of the spectrum the flighty, nervy Mediterranean breeds, many of the feisty bantams and often the Games are mentioned as the ones to NOT have as pets.
Of course there are exceptions to every rule and some of this will depend on your tolerance level for the birds themselves.
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But just let me say that if you are intent on making pets of chickens, then you must take chicken "petness" to it's final heights:
You must put them in diapers and allow them the run of your house.
This is the pinnacle of pet chicken mania. There has to be some sublime pleasure in watching old CSI reruns with your diapered, pet chicken as it eats popcorn from your bowl.
"Birds of a feather...", and all that jazz, I suppose
Good question. Thanks for posting.