Help, What breed? Friendly, good layer, doesn't go clucky all the time

[kpborkowski]

We would love to add to our flock, but would like a chicken with a placid and friendly nature as we have two young children aged 5 and 3. We would also like a good egg layer and a chicken that tends not to go clucky. At the moment our pekins and silkie seem to be constantly clucky (although we really love there nature we also love eggs).

We can get the following chickens from a hatchery near us. I was thinking maybe an Australorp, Orphington or Wyandotte? (THANKS)

BREEDS
* Ancona
* Araucana
* Australian Langshan
* Australorp
* Barnevelder
* Campine
* Dorking
* Faverolles
* Isa Brown
* Japaneses
* Legbar
* Leghorn
* New Hampshire
* Orphington
* Pekin
* Plymouth Rock
* Polish
* Rhode Island
* Silkie
* Sussex
* Welsummer
* Wyandotte

 

[allaboutdemchicks]

Those three would be my suggestion to you. I also have small children, ages 5 and 6, that do very well with both orps and lorps. We have plans on adding Wyandottes this year also.

 

[Mahonri]

Go with variety.

Wellsummer,
Araucana,
Faverolles.

For egg laying

Leghorn
Isa Brown or Cinnamon Queen
Buff Orp

 

[dangerouschicken]

Araucanas are so very sweet

I have orps and wyandottes, as well, but the Araucanas have them beat.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Araucanas are sweet, but not particularly good egg layers. Easter Eggers are better layers. Personally I don;t care for orpingtons--ours are very standoffish. Barred rocks have a lot of personality, but with small children avoid the roos, they have a reputation. Brahmas are wonderful-gentle and inquisitive. The roos are also. Faverolles and marans are also reputed to be gentle. Everyone I know who has had marans RAVED about them.

 

[speckledhen]

To me, nothing better for friendly, curious, intelligent, excellent layer than a Barred Rock. Fits the bill for you.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

I'd go with an Australorp.

Mine is very friendly and as a chick she would follow me and come to me as if i was her mother

Very fluffy too.

 

[brn325]

i would give leghorns a try they almost never go broody and always have eggs. i would suggest to go with one of the colored varieties. they seem to be more calm than production white varieties. we have columbian leghorns that are as friendly any other chicken we have

 

[speckledhen]

My Barred Rock roosters are the sweetest I have. You can get a bad individual, but I've had a few of those--two brothers lead my flock right now. Their daddy was sweet, their other brother is even affectionate.