Having never had chickens before what breeds are recommended

[fowlmamma]

I Love Barred Rocks They Are So Pretty And Great Egg Producers And Americanas. No Matter What You Choose You Will Enjoy Them

Chickens Rock

 

[Gonzo]

Hi! I got my first chickens last year, I also have 2 kids, my youngest was only 7 at the time. Here's what I did.. I went and looked at different hatchery sites. Found a breed that interested me, than researched the heck out of it. I was afraid of have mean chickens around the kids as well. My first thought was to get Orpington's, Which I do have, in buff and white. But I fell in love with the Australorp breed. They're really good birds to have around the little ones, and hold world records in egg laying! I have 3 of them, all hens, and I tell you what, I have one named Mable that I think would follow my little boy off a cliff! She's like a little puppy dog with him! Always with him. More often than not I can look out in my backyard and he's holding one of the Australorp girls. We even got them at an older chick age. (around 12 weeks old) my orpingtons and barred rocks were bought as day old chicks and handled daily, and none of them are as friendly as the Australorps girls. I just can't say enough for this wonderful breed! Hope this helps!

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

Get Australorps they are quiet and gentle and lay a lot of brown eggs

 

[Nyrial]

My Phoenix and white rock are my friendliest girls. I do like my australorp too though.

Well I like them ALL, but those 3 really stand out. My Phoenix roos are good boys too.

 

[Kimiko]

My Delawares are my favorites. They lay large, brown eggs on a regular basis and are VERY friendly (my 6 year old picks them up and carries them around).

I also have Naked Necks which I adore, but may not do well in very cold temps.
My Wyandottes and barred rocks are nice, but they aren't quite as "pet like" as the Dels.
Easter Eggers are a must for the blue egg factor, but mine at least, aren't particularly friendly.

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

Buff Orpingtons, Silkies, Black Stars, Americauanas

 

[GardeNerd]

If your temps get really low, I would recommend a breed with a smaller comb.
I love my Orpington and she is good with all the kids around. She lays 4 to 5 eggs a week right now.
From personal experience I would recommend Buff Orpingtons and Easter Eggers. My kids love the eggs from our neighbor's Easter Egger (ours was killed by a red tailed hawk,) Easter Eggers have a reputation for being quiet, and have small pea combs.


If you are looking for quiet breeds, I did a poll awhile back on "what is your quietest breed?" go to...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=276431
to see results. Last I looked Wyandottes were at the top and they don't have large combs. I am not sure about the heat.


My kids adore my chickens! I am thankful that we were able to hand raise them from chicks and now have friendly chickens.
Best Wishes!

 

[Keenonf]

I've had chickens for about 2 years now and I would recommend getting some silkies. Their loving and really great for kids. Their more like pets then chickens so your kids would enjoy them. Most people want chickens for eggs so i'd say get 2 RIR (Rhode Island Reds) and 4 silkies.

 

[chickensnax]

I recommend the BArred Rocks, I have a few and they are very personable, lay really nice brown eggs, they are also my only girls that have been laying pretty regularly this winter. My rooster is also a BR and he is the coolest rooster ever. He's pretty big even as far a roosters go (I think at least, but I'm new) but he's never mean or agressive to me, but takes excellent care of his girls, but is partial to other BR's.

I also adore my two Buff Orpington girls, they lay the largest pretty brown eggs out of my entire flock of assorted girls. One of my Buffs are raising two babies for the first time and is doing a wonderful job. Takes her job very seriously even though the babies are as big as she is, she lets them snuggle close on the cold nights.

But than I also really like my EE, she has such pretty coloring and the greens eggs are always a fun novelty.

All have done pretty well this last summer with our South Texas heat and didn't stop laying just tried to stay out of the sun as much as possible. They have also done well this past week with the Artic blast that came through, granted it wasn't as bad as up north, but for us here in the South it was too cold, now today in the 60's was great, especially in the sunshine.