Kid tolerant breeds!

[Freeholder]

Some lines of Favorelles are prone to biting, so I would be cautious about recommending them. When I had some, they were also the first to go to predators. It's too bad -- I love their looks.

Kathleen

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Some lines of Favorelles are prone to biting, so I would be cautious about recommending them. When I had some, they were also the first to go to predators. It's too bad -- I love their looks.

Kathleen

Good to know Kathleen! This is the kind of info I'm looking for.
I think our first choice is a Cochin. Are their any types/colors that seem superior for any reason? I probably won't do white for obvious reasons and my WRocks are impossible to keep clean

!!!

 

[Kelsie2290]

I've only had hatchery standard Cochins, mostly from McMurray and Meyer. Only kept a couple of hens here and there for any length of time (never kept a rooster past a couple of months). Temperament has been nice and pretty calm, no problem with people and they are happy to be picked up etc if you start young and get them used to it... they tend to be very very food oriented. The hatchery ones were also broody, but are not as bad to break as silkies, and not as broody as breeder Cochins a friend of mine has. The hatchery ones are smaller than the breeder birds. The blacks and blues were the biggest, the silver laced are probably the most striking looking. Didn't really see that much temperament difference between the colors, but have not had any of the "new" colors which probably have other breeds closer up. None are very good egg layers number wise since they did tend to go broody.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

I've only had hatchery standard Cochins, mostly from McMurray and Meyer. Only kept a couple of hens here and there for any length of time (never kept a rooster past a couple of months). Temperament has been nice and pretty calm, no problem with people and they are happy to be picked up etc if you start young and get them used to it... they tend to be very very food oriented. The hatchery ones were also broody, but are not as bad to break as silkies, and not as broody as breeder Cochins a friend of mine has. The hatchery ones are smaller than the breeder birds. The blacks and blues were the biggest, the silver laced are probably the most striking looking. Didn't really see that much temperament difference between the colors, but have not had any of the "new" colors which probably have other breeds closer up. None are very good egg layers number wise since they did tend to go broody.

Great, Kelsie. I have ordered from MM and have been happy with the chicks but am considering Meyer for our next order. Meyer has a wider selection and we really liked the look of the partridge cochins. Any particular reason why you didn't keep your Cochins long?

I know enough to recognize that there is quite a difference between hatchery and breeder birds, especially with the older breeds like the RIR and BR!

The Cochin does seem like a good bird for a little one to carry around and cuddle! Big enough to take a lot of handling and docile enough to not care as long as food is involved

 

[Kelsie2290]

Partridge is a really pretty color, their feathers make nice autumn decorations The cochins are really big fluffy walking pillows, they aren't that touchy and they are actually pretty tough like you said because of their size.
I mostly kept egg layers, and I am not a big fan of foot feathering in the fancys I keep. Have kept some as pets or for a broody, but a couple of friends I usually grow out the chicks for like cochins and tend to claim them, and here like the silkies, and if we are going to have silkies anyhow...

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

The two meanest chickens (roosters) I ever encountered were bantam cochins, and one other was not what I would call kid friendly. Brahmas are extremely sweet birds, and while there must be someone out there that has encountered a mena one, I sure haven't ever. Either largefowl or bantam.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I had a Cochin rooster that was very docile. That may be because the flock had a bunch of other roosters White Rock, Partridge Rock, Jaerhon, Black Leghorn et. al..

As I said before, breeds/lines have traits but they are all individuals. I know docile people and I know people that are aggressive a**h***s.

 

[brahmabreeder]

The two meanest chickens (roosters) I ever encountered were bantam cochins, and one other was not what I would call kid friendly. Brahmas are extremely sweet birds, and while there must be someone out there that has encountered a mena one, I sure haven't ever. Either largefowl or bantam.

x2. Mine have never been mean to me and the hens just let me do whatever to them. I don't usually have to chase them if I want to pick one up. I just walk over and they allow me to pick them up. I rarely handle my birds too so they are naturally like this.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

The two meanest chickens (roosters) I ever encountered were bantam cochins, and one other was not what I would call kid friendly. Brahmas are extremely sweet birds, and while there must be someone out there that has encountered a mena one, I sure haven't ever. Either largefowl or bantam.

I am NOT a fan of bantams (sorry bantam fans) my Grandparents had some when I was growing up and they were just useless and mean, and stole my mulberry tree

I ordered my Son a partridge Cochin, he wanted a buff but MM wouldn't deliver before April, so we went through Meyer! I had to add some more production layers anyway, I just got a customer order for 6 Dozen a WEEK!!! I ordered some Golden Buffs, and three buff brahmas (one roo). Has anyone had experience with Meyer Brahmas, I will be using them for breeding (I am well aware they will not be show quality).

Thank you all so much for all the great tips

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Oh and I ordered some more EE's! I just adore the two I have (one silver roo) and plan to breed them as well!