Ordering chickens for a 12 year old boy in 4h

[chickenrunnin]

Hey guys, Its been along time since i have logged on. Wow
I have had my chickens for over 2 years now. I have a had several varieties and I know what I like. My son who is 12 joined 4H this year with Poultry. I told him in spring time i would order him a couple of chicks of his choice to start with from scratch. I was wondering what would be a good breed and a boyish type breed for him to start out with. He loves the barred rocks we have but they are a bit wild. I want to get him a bantam variety and a friendlier breed. Also in my thought process I would like to get him something that is not quite as popular as so many kids have the same birds at shows. Any ideas?

kelly

 

[trilyn]

Don't the ameraucanas come in bantam sizes? That would be kind of cool, having the colored eggs and they're supposed to be very friendly. Just a thought and what a cool project for your son to be involved in. Good luck!

 

[M To The Maxx]

EEs, Ameraucanas or Silkies!!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

d'anvers, oegb, modern games, brahmas, polish, rocks, and of course, silkies

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Set him loose on feathersite, then let HIM decide what appeals

 

[MissChessy]

My Easter Eggers are sooooo tame and sweet natured. Love Easter Eggers. I have one Chestnut, and she follows me wherever I go. Great breed of chickens.

 

[drumstick diva]

Silkied seramas. I bet no one else would have them, they are small supposed to be very friendly, calm and bred to be housepets & companions.

 

[seedcorn]

Figure out from what hatchery/breeder you want to order from. No sense looking at (falling in love with) breeds that you can't get.

Let him do research on what breed he wants.

Wyandottes in bantam are very laid back but not to the point of cochins or silkies who have to motivated to even get up to eat or drink. Loved cochins but way too lazy for me, altho good ones are very cute and fun w/hatched chicks. OEG's are friendly but good luck keeping them penned up.

 

[BarredBuff]

No silkies he will get beat up........= ). I would say standard RIRs or another simple dual purpose maybe Dominiques or BLRW if you show. McMurray has these birds.

 

[teddiliza]

The bantam araucanas/auracanas (did I spell that right?) I have are really friendly, curious, inquisitive types. Great chicks, act like they want to hang out with you. They have to have the tufted ears to be shown and are rumpless (aka not have tails). They lay blue eggs. Otherwise I'd say d'uccles or favorelles who are both gentle and friendly, with muffs and feathered feet- favorelle having 5 toes! But they might get picked on by your bigger birds as they are nonagressive.