Lap Chickens

[jwebb418]

I am looking to get some snuggly lap chickens that like to be held and petted and visit us inside sometimes. The breeds I'm looking at right now are Silkies, Bantam Cochins, and possibly Sultans. Do Sultans make good lap chooks? Are they good with kids? Are there other breeds I should consider?

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Silkies!!! They are SO sweet, cuddly, and gentle!! I love my birds!!

 

[KentuckyRooster]

Silkies and cochins are great choices. I don't know anything about sultans.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Of the birds you've listed, I like cochins. My silkies are true birdbrains and run from me even after being handraised. My cochins are far friendlier and, in my own personal opinion, much nicer-looking. (Apologies to the silkie lovers.) I have no experience with sultans.

I've heard that buff orpingtons and brahmas are very good with children, but again, I have no personal experience.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Of the birds you've listed, I like cochins. My silkies are true birdbrains and run from me even after being handraised. My cochins are far friendlier and, in my own personal opinion, much nicer-looking. (Apologies to the silkie lovers.) I have no experience with sultans.

I've heard that buff orpingtons and brahmas are very good with children, but again, I have no personal experience.

BO are DEFINITELY hit or miss. I know a friendly BO and one that's basically a monster!! I have never known anyone with silkie problems. Hmmm. Silkies have always been nice and sweet too me. Maybe I have a lot of chicken charm! Lol!

 

[Curnow]

View attachment 1226114 I have 5 Sultans. 2 Roosters and 3 Hens. They are all very quirky! But of all my chickens of any other breed, they are by far the tamest. They love to be picked up, held, petted, and actually ask for it. They are curious and inquisitive. One of my Sultan roosters disapproves when granddaughters go into chicken house. The few times he has "attacked" them, they said "what was that?"....Unfortunately for him, it is like being hit in the leg with a small pillow!! He knows his name though, so goes away when scolded for it. Yes, they are that smart! Both roosters and 1 hen have names. Tutt, Nester, and Dirty Girl.....they know their names! Keep in mind, they are in with approx. 60 chickens or other breeds, some quite large. Dirty Girl is at the top end of the pecking order and will stand up to any English Orpington or Brahma hen!

 

[Curnow]

 

[FirstTimeClucky]

Snuggly chickens? Meet Divine!

He's a frizzle sizzle Showgirl, 12 weeks old. He lives indoors with me (he has his own big cage). I got him at 4 weeks old from a breeder who kept him indoors. I don't think he has seen another chicken. We watch TV every night. When it gets dark outside, he cries for me to take him out. He has learned to step up on my arm like a parrot. When he was tiny he used to tuck himself under my chin and go to sleep. Now he preens my head and ear and snuggles up to my neck.

Showgirls are a bantam sized cross between a Silkie and a Naked Neck Turken. Most have feathers like a Silkie. They have the black skin and furry feathers of a Silkie with the bald neck of the Turken. They're getting easier to find as they become more popular.

 

[robinwhiskers]

All of our 7 month old chickens (Buff Orpingtons, Easter Eggers, Plymouth Rocks) were raised exactly the same but the BO's are definitely the most friendly. One even knows lots of tricks, rides on my shoulder, walks on a leash, rides in my bike basket...I guess it depends the chicken but they sure have a great personality.

 

[Hanna8]

I recommend also looking into faverolles! They’re known for being extremely docile. I’ve had some wonderful naked necks, too. Super friendly and tough as nails.

Not sure where you currently plan on getting your birds, but birds from large scale hatcheries don’t always align with expectations. Temperament isn’t really factored in when breeding there. Silkies May be known as cuddle bugs, but my hatchery silkie was the menace of the flock. You’re much more likely to get what your looking for if you go to a small scale breeder with “quality” stock.