Friendly breeds?

[joydix]

ALMOST any breed can be super friendly if u give them lots of attention, treats and handling. Anyone agree with that? I have had a very hands off relationship with my older EE’S but my newer one very friendly. I have one Wilkie who is my ZEN hen. She will let anyone pick her up and cuddle. My red silkie wants nothing to do with me but she was 4 mo when I got her. I raised Blue from hatch. My bantam Cochins are almost always super friendly. My barred rock not so much. My buff orp was not very friendly. One of my super friendliest was a Sicilian buttercup also an olive egged and my Basque Hen. Would love another basque but u never know. Is it the breed or the special hen itself ? Well that’s my take on it. Delaware’s also are super super friendly. All of them I’ve had. But then I gave them tons of attention.

 

[joydix]

I agree its gonna be hard to introduce new ones since they already have a pecking order. I am going to try to move a smaller pen next to it and let them get to know each other before putting them inside. I was worried since one of the neighbor's hens came over and they started fighting with our hens.

I have a nursery pen right across from big pen. My hens have the whole side yard. When I put babies or new hens out there they live in nursery for several weeks. I throw seed on the ground outside nursery and treats inside for babies so they eat together and they see each other etc. when I let them out some will peck but just to let the newbies know where they stand. I have never had any of the older ones hurt a baby. I have mixed flock. Many breeds, bantams and large fowl. They get along really well. 25 girls right now. 3 will start laying about May.

 

[Acre4Me]

In general, chickens are less friendly/more skittish until they start to lay. The only ones that remained skittish/less friendly for us have been the Mediterranean types (smaller/trim types like a Leghorn). The MOST chill and laid back breed we have had was Salmon Faverolle. So laid back that they were not the best fit for our larger mixed flock bc certain hens would pick on them (not terribly), but they wouldn’t even move away or fight back. EE are always fun and varied.

good luck

 

[feather13]

In general, chickens are less friendly/more skittish until they start to lay. The only ones that remained skittish/less friendly for us have been the Mediterranean types (smaller/trim types like a Leghorn).

x2. Our Mediterranean types (Buff Minorcas and Egyptian Fayoumis) have stayed skittish and flighty, although they aren't bullies either. All others generally tolerate petting/human contact more after they start laying.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

All breeds have a variety of attitudes, I have found hands-down the best way to get a friendly hen (of any breed) is to spend time with them from chick to pullet to hen, handle them a lot, have others handle them, etc. Lots of treats. You'll get a nice hen from just about any breed that way! Just be sure to have a safe coop/run for them, because a nice hen can get in trouble a lot easier than a more wild, standoffish one.

 

[joydix]

In general, chickens are less friendly/more skittish until they start to lay. The only ones that remained skittish/less friendly for us have been the Mediterranean types (smaller/trim types like a Leghorn). The MOST chill and laid back breed we have had was Salmon Faverolle. So laid back that they were not the best fit for our larger mixed flock bc certain hens would pick on them (not terribly), but they wouldn’t even move away or fight back. EE are always fun and varied.

good luck

My salmon is a bantam. That is exactly how she is! She would just lay there and get pecked! She wasn’t hurt but it was well pathetic! But she is the the one first in lap and content to fall asleep treats or not. She wasn’t about the treats. Now she is older and I guess more confident. Still first on lap and does not want to get down but she no longer gets pecked. She is beautiful. As a breed generally I just love my banty Cochins. If only they were. Broody all the time! But great moms. So funny when they hatch Lg fowl eggs and sleep with babies on roost and they r bigger than mom!

 

[Lucy Brown]

My salmon is a bantam. That is exactly how she is! She would just lay there and get pecked! She wasn’t hurt but it was well pathetic! But she is the the one first in lap and content to fall asleep treats or not. She wasn’t about the treats. Now she is older and I guess more confident. Still first on lap and does not want to get down but she no longer gets pecked. She is beautiful. As a breed generally I just love my banty Cochins. If only they were. Broody all the time! But great moms. So funny when they hatch Lg fowl eggs and sleep with babies on roost and they r bigger than mom!

So many replies I dont even know which chickens buy. I want to get about 3-4 more.

 

[FluffySilkie]

I was wondering if I could get more chickens so it’s not so lonely with the four hens I have. Can’t decide on which breeds to get. Does anybody recommend any friendly breeds that are good egg layers? We already have 4 buff orpigtons. Any suggestions would help.

Ooooo! Silkies! They are just so friendly and very motherly, so they can be very affectionate!

 

[Lucy Brown]

I've been thinking of getting more then 3 or 4 but i'm not sure if the coop is big enough

 

[Lucy Brown]

I've been thinking of getting more then 3 or 4 but i'm not sure if the coop is big enough

It is 12 feet by 5 feet