‘Friendly’ chickens.

[Bear1978]

So I’ve been on this site a little bit, not long. I have 6 pullets that are about 7-8 weeks old. 2 leghorns, 3 California whites and 1 Amberlink.

And as I am sure pretty much everyone on this site at one time or another looked up what breeds of chickens are the ‘friendliest’ and have seen all the info about which ones supposedly are (and I’m sure there are breeds that are friendlier than others), I have found what others in here have said and found to be true themselves. It’s not so much the breed but how much they’re handled and given attention.

I say this bcs the only 2 out of my little flock which are a little stand-off-ish are the leghorns. The others are very friendly birds! Especially Brownie. The amberlink and M the California White. They love to come up and hop on my need and squat down while I feed them some mealworms! Yes a way to a chicken’s heart is through their tummy! But just sayin. If you handle them and show them kindness, most often than not they’ll show that in return!

 

[LizzzyJo]

I don’t think it’s anything you’re doing wrong. Leghorns are flighty and standoffish. But they’re beautiful! You can find a friendly one in the bunch, but they tend toward independence.
This is NOT a real rule, but I’ve found that the bigger, fluffier, and puffier the breed, the nicer the breed. But each are individuals with their own personality!

 

[SueT]

My brown leghorns are standoffish, but that is how I wanted them. For free- ranging, I wanted breeds that are best at evading predators. Big fluffy, slow, friendly hens generally don't fare as well. Your leghorns will give you lots of eggs, just appreciate their beauty and independent nature.

 

[15littleladies]

So I’ve been on this site a little bit, not long. I have 6 pullets that are about 7-8 weeks old. 2 leghorns, 3 California whites and 1 Amberlink.

And as I am sure pretty much everyone on this site at one time or another looked up what breeds of chickens are the ‘friendliest’ and have seen all the info about which ones supposedly are (and I’m sure there are breeds that are friendlier than others), I have found what others in here have said and found to be true themselves. It’s not so much the breed but how much they’re handled and given attention.

I say this bcs the only 2 out of my little flock which are a little stand-off-ish are the leghorns. The others are very friendly birds! Especially Brownie. The amberlink and M the California White. They love to come up and hop on my need and squat down while I feed them some mealworms! Yes a way to a chicken’s heart is through their tummy! But just sayin. If you handle them and show them kindness, most often than not they’ll show that in return!

We have 2 white leghorns in our flock of 15. My teen granddaughters held them everyday when chicks. At 14 weeks they don't like to be held much but will crowd other chickens off the roost for their turn to be petted!

 

[Bear1978]

I don’t think it’s anything you’re doing wrong. Leghorns are flighty and standoffish. But they’re beautiful! You can find a friendly one in the bunch, but they tend toward independence.
This is NOT a real rule, but I’ve found that the bigger, fluffier, and puffier the breed, the nicer the breed. But each are individuals with their own personality!

this is true. Leghorns are a rather flighty/skittish breed. That is why I have not worried much about it. And like I said, every breed has its own characteristics that make them one way or another. The main reasonI posted this thread was for those, who like myself, are new to raising chickens and are wondering if the ones they have will be friendly or not. And like has been states throughout this site, that even though there are breeds that are more friendlier than others, it also depends on how you handle and interact with them. And just like with anything else, there’s exceptions to every rule! I don’t pressure any of my girls to be held or petted if they don’t want to. I leave how much they want to interact with me up to them.

 

[SueT]

If you think about it, chickens don't have a natural inclination to want to be touched. Watch them interact. Touching another usually means 'get away from me' Hanging out together means they are on friendly terms. If they like to hang out near you, it means they like you. They are very smart and can learn to accept, tolerate, even enjoy being petted, held, etc. But some are better candidates than others.
I have a little Sebright hen that will fly up onto my arm for a treat. She is extremely friendly. She will basically do anything for sunflower seeds, including patiently letting me dress her up for photos. But she doesn't enjoy being held, she merely tolerates it.

 

[Bear1978]

If you think about it, chickens don't have a natural inclination to want to be touched. Watch them interact. Touching another usually means 'get away from me' Hanging out together means they are on friendly terms. If they like to hang out near you, it means they like you. They are very smart and can learn to accept, tolerate, even enjoy being petted, held, etc. But some are better candidates than others.
I have a little Sebright hen that will fly up onto my arm for a treat. She is extremely friendly. She will basically do anything for sunflower seeds, including patiently letting me dress her up for photos. But she doesn't enjoy being held, she merely tolerates it.
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very true!