Nice, quiet chickens

[pecksandkisses]

Hey, friends. I have some family that is planning on getting a couple chickens from TSC or another feed store for a suburban setting. They plan on being hush-hush about it so they’ll need a quiet breed. Are sex-linked chickens usually quiet, or are the other breeds that are usually sold quiet? Also what types of breeds can they expect to see there? Thanks in advance.

 

[Shadowfire]

TSC usually sells sex-links or layers. Leghorns are very flighty, and loud; sex-links would be moderate temperament. Remember that roosters are noisy no matter what breed you get! Good luck with your project!

 

[HuffleClaw]

My sex-links are sweet as can be but VERY LOUD! I recommend Orpingtons. I have the blue tops and they’re sweet, sassy, and quiet. TSC should have at least some buff Orpington chicks soon.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

No chickens are quite, if they are not legal there don't get them! They will just be confenscated.

 

[PirateGirl]

If you contact your local feed stores, they should be able to let you know what breeds they typically order (orders for spring chicks should actually be in already). Once you know what your options are, post a list for us, or you can attach a poll to this post, and we can help you figure out your best option!

 

[PirateGirl]

Also, I find that chickens tend to be loudest when they lay an egg (or one of the others in the flock lays), so perhaps a breed that is not a prolific layer would be quieter overall. However if you are getting chickens for egg production, this doesn't exactly help, but if they are just to be pets or meat birds, then you can certainly try one that doesn't lay as much in hopes that it's not always singing the egg song.

 

[Criticalicious]

Better to find out the laws and regulations in your area and follow them. It's not hard. Suburban areas have too many eyes - odds are, you'll be reported and then fined, possibly hundreds of dollars. Then you'll have to get rid of the chickens anyway. If chickens are not allowed, then ask why and see if you can get the laws changed.

 

[Criticalicious]

The only way to keep a "quiet" chicken might be a silkie or other small bantam that you keep inside as a pet. But this is less than ideal for you and the chicken.

 

[Kelliejanine]

No hiding a chicken once it starts to lay. But my Silkie is by far the most quiet.

 

[pecksandkisses]

Thanks, all. I think that the rules for their area may have been that as long as they’re contained in a coop/run it should be fine. They’re checking the laws and ordinances on keeping chickens right now, but it’s still up in the air. I’ve been researching for them and it looks like Black Australorps are the best options because they are similar to Orpingtons, but more heat hardy. The hottest it gets there is around 102F so we crossed the Orpingtons off the list (even though they seem like great birds.) Any other advice or insight is appreciated.