Best Chicken Breed as a Comfort Pet?

[Downton Eggy]

I train community care (comfort) animals that visit care facilities, schools, etc. and have had wonderful good luck with lap-sitting Buff Orpingtons (see my avatar), Polish, and silkies. All best finding the right companion chook!

 

[chickens really]

Look into silkies, seramas, and modern games (large fowl and bantam). My advice is to rehome your current girl. You tried your best. You worked with her for 3 weeks. Some chickens aren’t cut out to be house chickens.

 

[SonoranChick]

Don't feel bad about your current situation, most of us probably would have done just the same, and you can use this as an opportunity to find your chicken a proper home I, too, suffer from panic attacks and I think getting chickens was the best thing I could have done. When I feel anxious, I just know if I go in the coop for a while, my troubles will be forgotten as I am immersed in "chicken world". Every chicken is different, no matter the breed. In my experience, my sweetest, most loving lap hens have been my golden comet, buff orphington, and ironically my brown leghorn. Everyone said that breed would be flighty, but my Monica is calm and affectionate and a total sweetheart. I also recommend getting two chickens, if you can. They will be so much happier together. And hand raising from the time they are hatched is huge...they need to know you're mom from the beginning. Good luck

 

[diamondsilkies]

I would definitely recommend silkies, they are extremely sweet. Seramas are also pretty easy to keep, since they're so small, and will become very affectionate with just a little love. I also agree with the brahma and buff orpington suggestions, I've had both breeds and they are extremely sweet. Polish can be a little flighty since they can't see as well, then again silkies can't see well and are the sweetest birds I've ever met, so maybe my polish are just skittish. Good luck!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Having chickens has really helped me stay sane and continue to live after having been bullied rethlessly for 3 years. When I am with my chickens all my problems disappear. If you are unable to get day old chicks you can still get silkie chickens even if they are a little older and they will bond with you.

 

[deepbluesea]

Having chickens has really helped me stay sane and continue to live after having been bullied rethlessly for 3 years. When I am with my chickens all my problems disappear. If you are unable to get day old chicks you can still get silkie chickens even if they are a little older and they will bond with you.

I'm so sorry you've been bullied! That's hard stuff. Are you in high school, by chance? I'm sure you've heard this before, but it really does get better after high school. I'm glad you're here, and that chickens help!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I'm so sorry you've been bullied! That's hard stuff. Are you in high school, by chance? I'm sure you've heard this before, but it really does get better after high school. I'm glad you're here, and that chickens help!

I graduated high school last year. I switched high schools after 10th grade because of bullying. My new high school was the best choice. Everyone was so nice. The really bad bullying happened in 6th, 7th, & 8th grade. Yes life does get better.

 

[Bridger Davis]

OK, I just looked up pictures of serama chickens... and, SERIOUSLY? DO they really stand like that? They look like frigate birds! I mean, I'm sure they're great, but they stand kind of funny.....

 

[deepbluesea]

I graduated high school last year. I switched high schools after 10th grade because of bullying. My new high school was the best choice. Everyone was so nice. The really bad bullying happened in 6th, 7th, & 8th grade. Yes life does get better.

Oh good!! Yes, junior high/middle school was way worse. So glad you found a better situation.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

(I hope this is the right area to put this post in. I wasn't too sure.)

So, I'm in a bit of a moral dilemma here. I've planned to have a house chicken as a comfort pet for some of my disorders, primarily my panic attacks. I adopted a 6 week black sex link chicken because she was out in the cold at a feed store. I know it wasn't smart to impulse buy, but I have a weak heart for animals. I'm sure you will understand. haha

Anyway, she is a cuddle bug but she will not tolerate being handled or petted. I've been working with her for 3 weeks about handling but she has not improved at all. She is adorable but I don't know if I made the right decision.

When I was first researching the topic of a house pet chicken, many suggested the more docile Bantam breeds, especially silkies. I met up with some breeders at a poultry show and they said the same thing. They were cuddly, friendly and easier to work.

I'm starting to regret getting my current girl because there is something in my heart strongly saying that she should be happier on a farm or yard rather than being a lap chicken. She hardly tolerates it even though she seems to like me fine.

Should I rehome her and consider a more docile breed instead?

Get a silkie!! They are AMAZING!!! Mine are super cuddly, sweet, gentle, and love to be held and petted. Personally, I have never owned or known a mean or cold-hearted silkie. But, every chicken is different. Just FIY, chickens are flock animals, so I recommend maybe getting a silkie and keeping your SexLink. They (and you) will happier that way! Good luck!
-4 Georgia Hens