Chicken Breeds

[SundownWaterfowl]

Best breed for kids would def. be Silkies.

 

[patandchickens]

To win back your kids' trust and interest in chickens, I would suggest two things: get only hens, and let the KIDS pick the breed(s) (although you retain veto power).

It might also be good to get day-old chicks rather than grown birds, as long as your kids are old enough to interact with them without squooshing them.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[cochinfan]

I concur that hens are a safer bet for interaction with children. If you really want a rooster pick a breed that is known for tameness and then cross your fingers and toes as you raise him from a baby. I've had experience with Cochin (known to be a passive breed) roosters that worked out well but took some regular behavioral maintenance that I don't think children could do well. I'm currently raising an Australorp, an easter egger, and a Mottled Houdan all of which were supposed to be hens. So far I love the temperament on the Australorp.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Wow! Thanks for all the great advice you all.
I have spent most the day looking at chicken
breeds. I have looked at the breeds that have been
mentioned. I find it hard to pick one.

 

[embkm]

How old are your children? I would probably stay away from roosters right now and just stick with hens. Most hens will either be friendly or could care less about you... either way they usually arent agressive unless they are protecting chicks. You can get a mix of different breeds to find out which ones you like best. If you are set on having a rooster, then get a bantam (miniature) breed rooster. Silkies and cochin bantams are known to be gentle (there are always exceptions though). And bantams are a lot less scary to little kids... Roosters are very scary when they are so big they can meet a child eye-to-eye.

oh and for large breed hens... I have had Buff Orpingtons, RIR, Barred Rocks, Sex links, Easter Eggers, Light Brahmas and mixes. My faves are the Brahmas and the Orpingtons.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

my kids are 5 and 6. We are leaning the direction of not having a rooster since our experience with
was was so bad. I think that they would do much better with hens anyway. I am not sure that I want
to get chicks maybe pullets. I am afraid that the chicks would get squished. Would it be okay to start
with pullets according to the opinions of the those that have more experience with chickens than we do?

thanks

 

[embkm]

It is ok to start with pullets. Since you didn't raise them from chicks, they may or may not be as In-Your-Face Friendly, but should be pretty easy going with your kids.

I think staying away from a standard size roo is a good idea with 5 and 6 year olds. My youngest will be 6 at the end of July and our large roo Bucky is almost as tall as she is. He could do some serious damage if he was able to go after her. That is why he is in a pen and doesnt free range. He makes her nervous enough that I won't even let her in his pen.

 

[crittersitter]

I got my pullets at 8 weeks old and handled them daily.They are now 20 weeks old and the friendliest girls ever!

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Thanks for all the great responces, I am getting a lot of good
information and learning a whole lot. I love this forum!!!

 

[teapot10]

My EE's, both the hens and the Roo's are very friendly with both me and my children. They come up to us the second we come into the coop and many of them even jump onto your lap for attention if you take too long to notice them

We got them from a feed store at just a few days old and my kids (ages 2, 4, 7, 7, 9, 12, & 16) and I spent lots of time with them daily. They are now about 9 weeks. They did go through a "teenage" phase where they didn't like to be held around 6 weeks but are long past that.