Friendly chicken - Speckled Sussexes, Rocks, or Australorps??

[SnowyClucks]

Hi everyone! Future chicken mum of 4 over here. I’m really looking forward to getting into chickenkeeping in a month or so, and I’ve been feeling really conflicted on which breeds to get. I’ve decided on 2 silkies, but I’m not sure about the last 2 breeds. I’m not sure what to have as my last pick….Speckled sussexes or Barred Plymouth Rocks or australorps???!!

I’d really like a lap chicken tbh, i know both of these breeds are friendly, however i have heard that speckled sussexes are NICE but too independent to belap chickens? And i’m worried about austras because I have never once seen anyone post anything about these breeds being lap chickens. Top egg laying is certainly not a priority for me, i just want a lap chicken really badly, it’s been my dream for a while now! I have plenty of time to tend to the chicks so i now i just need to make sure the chick is friendly.

Could someone please help me? Which 2 of those 3 breeds would you say are the most friendly/lap chicken capable?

 

[Sally PB]

Hello and welcome!

I do not have silkies, but I have heard that they can be very friendly lap chickens. Have you considered getting 4 silkies and having all the same breed?

Keep in mind that silkies tend to be small, and the other breeds you mentioned are larger. Silkies also look very different from the other breeds. This may lead to problems between the two breeds, but not necessarily. I mention it as something to consider.

Since you have some time before you get your birds, read a lot about the breeds you're interested in. Here on BYC is a great place to learn; the knowledge pool is both wide and deep!

 

[AinaWGSD]

I second the above post. Of the breeds you listed the Sussex are probably most likely to not pick on the silkies. Keeping silkies with large fowl chickens doesn't always go well, so if you do decide to add one of the listed breeds be prepared just in case you have to separate them.

Sussex, Plymouth rocks, and australorps are all equally likely to have (or, rather, not have) a lap chicken personality.

 

[SnowyClucks]

I would get all silkies, however the hatchery i chose unfortunately has very pricey silkie pullets! I thought if there was two then at least they would be less likely to get bullied for being different; because there’d be two of them instead of one lone strange-looking one. Plus i wanted some variety in my very first flock. But i appreciate your advice!

 

[RECKLESSTEEGAN2011]

Definitley get Lorps! They're sweet things that look like penguins!

 

[thecatumbrella]

I had two Black Australorps. Even as baby chicks, they were desperate for human attention. One ended up being a complete lap bird. The other would follow you around until you stroked the feathers under her armpits. It's very endearing, but beware... they have no distinction of when it is or is not a good time for cuddles. I had a 6 pound bird flying at my head for attention when I least expected it!

 

[SnowyClucks]

I had two Black Australorps. Even as baby chicks, they were desperate for human attention. One ended up being a complete lap bird. The other would follow you around until you stroked the feathers under her armpits. It's very endearing, but beware... they have no distinction of when it is or is not a good time for cuddles. I had a 6 pound bird flying at my head for attention when I least expected it!

Wow! How much time did you spend with them? Doyou think they were like that because of bonding time or just because their natural personality was to be really cuddly/friendly?

 

[user712746]

Hi everyone! Future chicken mum of 4 over here. I’m really looking forward to getting into chickenkeeping in a month or so, and I’ve been feeling really conflicted on which breeds to get. I’ve decided on 2 silkies, but I’m not sure about the last 2 breeds. I’m not sure what to have as my last pick….Speckled sussexes or Barred Plymouth Rocks or australorps???!!

I’d really like a lap chicken tbh, i know both of these breeds are friendly, however i have heard that speckled sussexes are NICE but too independent to belap chickens? And i’m worried about austras because I have never once seen anyone post anything about these breeds being lap chickens. Top egg laying is certainly not a priority for me, i just want a lap chicken really badly, it’s been my dream for a while now! I have plenty of time to tend to the chicks so i now i just need to make sure the chick is friendly.

Could someone please help me? Which 2 of those 3 breeds would you say are the most friendly/lap chicken capable?

cochins would be a better option they are pretty lazy so if you handle them alot as babies they will enjoy your company

 

[Folly's place]

I agree about the Silkies, may not do well with 'big birds'. Also, adding your approximate location on your profile helps a lot, because birds best in hot climates aren't always the same as birds best in cold winters.
Silkies cute feathers don't protect them from either very cold or very hot temps. And they really can't fly, another issue.
Yes, cochins are a good choice, and they come in both standard and bantam sizes! Look at other bantam breeds, might be just what you are looking for!
Check out the Henderson's chicken chart, and catalogs like Cackles and MurrayMcMurray for pictures and comments too.
Speckled Sussex, Buckeyes, and some EEs and French Marans have been very social toward humans here.
Look at Belgian d'Uccles!!!
Mary

 

[SnowyClucks]

cochins would be a better option they are pretty lazy so if you handle them alot as babies they will enjoy your company

I’d love cochins but the hatcheries near me don’t sell them Plus they are too big for my coop