Orpington for pets only

[Tortoise]

If I had the room, I'd get one of every kind lol.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

After over 30 breeds, Jersey Giants were the friendliest. I don't handle my birds but in spite of that, JGs are the only breed I could walk up to in the field and pick up.
I've had Black, White and Blue.
This excellent chart will give you more ideas on breeds.
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

 

[Folly's place]

I also had very friendly Jersies, although my current (one) hen isn't as sociable as some I've had. It is individual!
Mary

 

[keesmom]

The reason I picked them was mostly their friendly personality, cold hardy and their size.
I have been thinking about getting 2-3 different breeds.

Definitely try a few breeds that you are interested in. While there are breed generalities, I think you will find there's a wide variety in people's experiences within a breed. It will vary with source (breeder/hatchery, and by hatchery), genetics and individual temperament. Some never fit the mold.

Current buff Orp is almost doglike and tolerates handling well. Never has gone broody. She does crow sometimes (and she is not a dominant hen), and she hates cockerels.

Someone mentioned speckled Sussex. Ours is wary of people and can be snarky with other hens. Seems to go broody but never commits. Not sure we would get more.

Our black sex links have been people friendly and great egg producers. Two even went broody.

The white Rocks are very social, as are the buff Brahmas. None have gone broody.

Many find Mediterranean breeds such as Leghorns, Minorcas, etc to be too flighty. We've had such personable brown Leghorns, buff Minorcas and Sicilian Buttercups that I wouldn't hesitate to get more. They are great layers too.

 

[meetthebubus]

I have buff orps, they are docile mine are more timid though. I also have Easter eggers and they have been more calm and friendly

I think orps are a great choice my orps don't really go broody much at all and they might be timid bc their rooster is naturally very timid

 

[RodNTN]

I love BO's! My Buff Orpington Wilma is by far the friendliest chicken I've ever had. She can't stay away from me when I go outside. She is over a year old, and still hasn't gone broody. I have kept several BO's and none of them went broody often.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Love my Orpingtons. My hatchery birds don't usually go broody. Breeders birds go broody constantly which can get annoying, but they are often more easy going birds.

Friendliness in chickens seems to be an individual thing more than a breed thing. I've had a few odd birds over the years that liked following me around talking. They have all been different breeds.

I recently lost my oldest buff Orpington hen, she was 10. She was a gentle big girl that ruled the flock with an iron stare and nothing else. I definitely miss her.

 

[Tortoise]

Love my Orpingtons. My hatchery birds don't usually go broody. Breeders birds go broody constantly which can get annoying, but they are often more easy going birds.

Friendliness in chickens seems to be an individual thing more than a breed thing. I've had a few odd birds over the years that liked following me around talking. They have all been different breeds.

I recently lost my oldest buff Orpington hen, she was 10. She was a gentle big girl that ruled the flock with an iron stare and nothing else. I definitely miss her.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

I have two buff orps and two black sex links. My buff orps are not super friendly, even though we raised them from chicks. They will tolerate being picked up, but don't run up to us like the black sex links do. Our black sex links are friendly, and will run up to us when they see us.

 

[jolenesdad]

My marans are super friendly once they start laying. My barred rocks have always been the friendliest, hands down. I only have one left, because they also were super bossy to the other chickens, and she is the coolest hen. She comes RUNNING whenever she sees you, is always around, yet totally respectful of space, too.