Please Advise!!!!

[Horsegirl412]

I am planning on getting hens soon! I am looking for the most docile, friendly, happy, content, ect. breed! One that will just sit on your lap, and is ok with kids loving on it! i have heard some people say their chickens know their names and follow them around! I would love our chickens to be a great family pet, and not just egg layers Thank You for your help.

 

[Michael OShay]

There are quite a few breeds that are very calm and can be tamed to that degree. These include Silkies, Orpingtons, Australorps, Brahmas, Cochins, Sussex, and Faverolles. I have had all of these breeds at one time or another except the Faverolles (I still have Orpingtons and Australorps and a neighbor of mine had Faverolles) and my children, and now my granddaughter, have made lap pets of them. If egg production is not an issue at all, the Silkies are the easiest to keep on your lap as they are quite a bit smaller that the other breeds on this list. Whatever breed you decide to get, good luck.

 

[Michael OShay]

There are quite a few breeds that are very calm and can be tamed to that degree. These include Silkies, Orpingtons, Australorps, Brahmas, Cochins, Sussex, and Faverolles. I have had all of these breeds at one time or another except the Faverolles (I still have Orpingtons and Australorps and a neighbor of mine had Faverolles) and my children, and now my granddaughter, have made lap pets of them. If egg production is not an issue at all, the Silkies are the easiest to keep on your lap as they are quite a bit smaller that the other breeds on this list. Whatever breed you decide to get, good luck.

P.S. If egg production is an issue, the Australorps are the best layers on my list.

 

[iwiw60]

I can only speak for myself, but I chose to go with the Black Australorp breed. Very docile, friendly, very hardy, excellent laying hens...





I sit with my girls daily...boy, can they 'talk'!! They'll walk up to me and rub against my leg...I think they're wanting to get petted. I just love the breed, but I'm sure others here at BYC have their favorites, too

 

[Horsegirl412]

We are looking for egg production as well. Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, Easter Eggers, and Plymouth Rocks. But I would be interested in anything docile!

 

[Horsegirl412]

Are Australorps especially noisy? We live in a town with neighbors and we don't want especially vocal birds.

 

[Michael OShay]

We are looking for egg production as well. Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, Easter Eggers, and Plymouth Rocks. But I would be interested in anything docile!

All of those breeds on your list are good layers, but not good lap pets (except the Australorps). I have had all of them, and sometimes the Rhode Island Reds can be quite aggressive. Less so with the Plymouth Rocks, but on rare occasions I have had an aggressive Rock as well. The Easter Eggers are not aggressive, but are more skittish than the Australorps and don't like being held.

 

[Horsegirl412]

What about Buff Orpingtons?

 

[iwiw60]

Are Australorps especially noisy? We live in a town with neighbors and we don't want especially vocal birds.

I don't find mine to be noisy at all. Actually the opposite...they're as quiet as mice unless they see me....then they start "talking" ....so cute!

 

[iwiw60]

We are looking for egg production as well. Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, Easter Eggers, and Plymouth Rocks. But I would be interested in anything docile!

Rhode Island Reds (RIR) tend to be a bit on the aggressive side...they have a mind of their own...