Breeds that are good as pets

[shelleyd2008]

Silkies are very sweet birds. The cochins I have are not very tame, but a friend has some that are the biggest pets in the world! My cochin roo (bantam) is a mean cuss, always trying to attack my hands. My silkie roos are not. But I agree that any chicken makes a good pet if you raise them right!

 

[briarpatchfarms]

silkies are litttle fuzz butts there the cutest i think and cochins are so sweet and will set on any thing you give them.....

here are som pics

 

[tiki244]

modern game bantams are also very friendly

 

[hcammack]

Since others are posting pictures I guess I will have to go ahead.

Here are my Cuckoo Marans

Here is my blue Marans

Here are eggs from a few days ago from my Marans (the dark ones)

Here is my Faverolle hen she is so sweet she layed both light cream eggs above.

Henry

 

[Mahonri]

My buff orp hen just loves me.

She loves to be held, she loves me to pet her comb and wattles, if I am in the coop she is always directly under or next to me.

 

[Meggie]

Very helpful--thanks!

 

[jforsness]

I have 3 Polish and they're awesome as pets. They are pretty calm and don't mind being handled. Lil' B is like a lap dog, she can just sit with me for 1/2 an hour. Feel free to check them out at http://luckychickens.blogspot.com/

Good luck!

 

[patienceprudencecharity]

I think climate plays into the decision a bit.

I wanted outdoor chickens who would also supply eggs (and I live in Ohio), so Silkies weren't the best way to go. I also didn't want to deal with the extra susceptibility to problems like "seahorse syndrome" and scaly leg mite.

Since I was looking for friendly, docile, quiet birds I settled on Buff Orpingtons as my fantasy birds.

But in the end I purchased hybrid Golden Buffs because I could purchase them vaccinated and "Started"-- it seemed like an easier way to get started with chickens. It's just too expensive to buy the vaccines in 1000 bird vials, and I wanted my pets to live long healthy lives.

It turns out the Golden Buffs are a very quiet, sweet, friendly, and docile option. I love mine (you can see them on the web page listed below). They were great starter birds, and they each now lay an egg every single day (even in freezing cold weather)! Because they are small (about 4 pounds), they can fit in smaller housing. My next three birds (maybe in a year or so) will be a Buff Orpington, a Silver Laced Wyandotte, and a Speckled Sussex, all friendly and docile birds. But I'm glad I started with my super-sweet Golden Buffs.

Pet owners can't go wrong with Meyer Hatchery, which has a small order program (minimum three chicks) and sells three kinds of started birds. They have a nice catalog and a super helpful staff.

 

[lady chicken whisperer]

I get my barred bantam cochins from Meyer hatchery and they are the best birds ever!!! I have some of the sweetest birds!! One of my hens will do anything to sit on my shoulder, absolutely loves being held. They are very good egg layers and I havent had any problem with them going broody.

 

[momofdrew]

bearded silkies look just like Big Bird from sesame street except not yellow...they have very sweet dispositions...