when there's no disaster happening, they are extremely relaxing to be around -I was astonished that they "purr", but they do! we have one being picked on who has a head covered in blukote, and it's been quite an experience watching the new pecking order in the new coop - ours are mostly big breeds and there's nothing dainty about them, one poor girl lost a toe nail when another jumped on the roost and sent her flying while she was asleep! gotta love the crazies