I want calm Bakcyard Chicken breed, any tips?

[mtnviewfarms]

I've had many different Heritage Breed chickens as well as EEs and for what you are wanting I would vote for either Buff Orpingtons and/or Black Australorps - both breeds are wonderful and gorgeous birds - if I have to pick a favorite it would be the Black Australorps as they have the 'prettiest' faces of any breed I've seen so far and they - at least mine - lay large to extra large brown eggs nearly every day year round.

 

[DomesticDiva12]

I love my buff orpingtons. They are large birds but they look even larger because their feathers are so fluffy. They are great layers and very friendly. My 8 year old daughter can easily round them up into the coop herself at the end of the day (only our red gives her problems) and she picks them up all the time to show her friends. Our BO rooster was just gorgeous too. I will always have a few BO in my flock

 

[A Chicken Owner]

Orpingtons, Australorps and Sussex's are great layers and are very sweet and docile

 

[Chickenlady2013]

I have 3 golden buffs and they are the most friendly docile bird. They come right to me and sit on my shoulder or lap and fall asleep. They were raised with my 3 barred rocks or are skittish'.

 

[OlivesMama]

It's so funny to hear everyone's experiences with the different chicken breeds. I think I've somewhat made my chickens as docile as they are by handling them many times a day from day 1. My younger flock wasn't handled as much, and it's starting to show. They don't tolerate being held as well as the older girls.

My flocks:

Flock#1
Silkie pullet I acquired at 4 month- Because she was 4 months when I got her, she wasn't used to being touched. She comes running when I enter the chicken yard and "bock bocks" at me, but dodges my hand when I try and pet her. I can hold her and put her to sleep in my lap, but she gets up as soon as I let go.
3 Barred Rocks- the pullets are VERY sweet and my lap chickens. They have always jumped into my lap and beg to be pet. The rooster, used to, but not so much now. He runs from me.
Sultan-shrieks and jumps into the air when I touch her, but I can also put her to sleep if I hold her in my lap. Same temperament as the Silkie

Flock#2
Golden Laced Wyandottes- The rooster is very friendly and I can pick him up easily. He enjoys being held. The pullet lets me pet her a few times, then runs away.
Americauna- She's friendly and I can pet her and pick her up.
Buff Orpington- She HATES me and runs from me. I cannot touch her. Sounds like she's not a typical Orpington. I got her because I've see so much on how sweet they are. Not my Buffy! She's pretty sure I'm going to kill her every time I get close.
California Gray- Hates me even more than the Orpington. She sounds the alarms if I'm within 5 feet of her and will not allow me to touch her. She pecks at me if I manage to catch her and pick her up.

I feed them all treats daily and they will all eat out of my hand except the Buff Orpington. She refuses, even if it's something really good!

 

[A Chicken Owner]

Suprisingly, my ISA Brown is very docile. She eats out of my hand, lets me pet her and let's me pick her up. When I go outside, she stops whatever she's doing and runs to me. She's so sweet to me.