Newbie-pls suggest easy going breed for kids in Florida

[lambykin]

Hi Everyone!

This is my 1st time on here & I am a 100% Newbie to the world of chicks & chickens!

We have raised some ringneck doves for a while & have done well with them, we love their little coo-ing sounds & have hatched some pretty & friendly little baby doves. The kids are quite interested in a few pet chicks that will eventually lay them eggs for breakfast!

We need some suggestions, like easy going, fairly quiet, small, kid-friendly breeds that could do well in confinement or a small area, lay fairly well & are social & docile. Types that can be easily tamed & handled, petted, etc. The kids seem to be very interested in the little bantam breeds we have seen in pictures & online.

We also need some suggestions/recommendations on where to get some chicks. Of course, females would be especially what we are looking for & we don't need lots of them. It doesn't have to be an actual hatchery, someone's backyard farm who has tame, healthy birds is fine. We live in the Space Coast area of Florida.

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[Soaring Chicks]

Hello and

. My pet chicken has a sale on all pullet orders right now. They also have on the site where you can search out what breeds are better for heat and pets,layers. Welp hatchery have little signs telling you what does good and pets and layers.
http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx
http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Baby-Chick-Sale-c60.aspx
http://www.welphatchery.com/index.asp
You can also look at the learning link on BYC and see what they say too.
Best of luck to you!

If you want something that makes great pets and colored eggs ameraucanas are great they lay blue ,wht,brn,pink,green eggs.
Kids love they eggs.

 

[wolftracks]

from California

My vote is some type of Polish!

Mine always laid a decent amount of eggs and grandkids and my youngest son carried them around like puppies.

 

[lambykin]

Thanks for the great input! I am going to look over the websites now. Carry em around like puppies! Yep! That's what my kids will do, I can see it now!

 

[Finn's Mom]

Welcome! Yes, check out BYC's Breed Index as well -- it's terrific. It won't list mixed breeds (like Golden Comets) but it has photos and comments in a quick and easy to read format on just about everything else! You can also check on Craigslist to purchse your chicks. Have fun. My kids LOVE their chickens.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

 

[b.hromada]

and

from S. Florida, to another Floridian!

Glad you joined us!

 

[Gazinga]

I would have to put my vote in for the Buff Orphs! my kids love em and tehy are handeled really well, they love to play with the kids.

 

[lambykin]

Thanks for more info everyone! I am looking around now to try & get a few chicks soon.

 

[halo]

Buff orps are always good. Plymouth rocks are very mellow, lay great. Ameraucanas or EEs are also very sweet, and lay well, with the added bonus of green and blue eggs. I dont have any, but I would imagine bantam cochins would be fun for kids, and then there is the ever-popular silkie, tho I dont know if they lay very well or not.