We have 3 Americana girls. We can't seem to bond with them. They don't want to be touched, or held. They are really flighty. I have raised friendly Black Sex Links and friendly Rhode Island Reds in the past. I was looking for a different breed this time around. Any suggestions? They need to be friendly, handle easily, docile, and be okay in a confinement of a run or tractor. Any suggestions? I am in South West Florida. Taffy
I don't have a lot of experience with different breeds, but speaking from personal experience my Polish are very sweet and friendly. They don't mind being stroked or held and always come running up for treats. I also have Silkies and they are so-so. A couple of them are also sweet and friendly but the others are stand offish.
I have some salmon favorells (sp??) and they r THE most gentle birds I have. I have about 13 different breeds. Research them a little bit! Good luck!
I vote for Cochins. The little bantam cochin hen I have is extremely docile and easy to handle, and I've read that the standard sized ones are the same.
It's really an individual thing. Rhode island Reds, for example, actually have a reputation for being mean and unfriendly. Probably Cochins, Black Australorp or Buff Orpingtons are most likely to be friendly. My friendliest chicken, though, is a Speckled Sussex.
My Barred Rock ladies are the most docile and friendly in my bunch. I agree with it being an individual thing. I have two Buff Orpingtons and neither are very friendly even though both have been handled daily.
My Cochin is extremely friendly, along with my golden laced Wyandotte. I've held and handled my chicks a lot, and even the skittish ones got use to me. They all love to be held and pet. Some took longer then others to tame. My Wyandotte is always jumping on my shoulder.
We have a couple different kind: Sex links: We have six and most of them are just okay. Not overly friendly but not real nervous. They will eventually settle down and be held. Buff Orpington: We have two and they are more nervous/skiddish than I'd like. Probably more so than all our chicks. At this point they don't feel comfortable being held. I hope it'll just take time for them to get used to us. Buff Brahmas: We also have two of these and they are my favorite! Both of them are much calmer than all our others. One is more relaxed than the other but both are still calmer than all our chicks put together. They will lay in our hand and allow us to pet them. Even fall asleep. Silkies: We have four of these. They are like the others. Not overly friendly but not real nervous. At this point they aren't real comfortable being held. All our chicks are four weeks old. I know it takes time for them to feel comfortable with people. I could see right away our Buff Brahmas that they are so much calmer than all our other ones. That is the personality and temperament I was looking for. Good luck!
My Dominique has been a lap chicken from the day I brought her home (2 weeks old). My Speckled Sussex and Australorp are also easy to handle but not as "under the feet" as the Dominique.
