R There docile, pure-breed, standard size, AMERICAN chickens?

You might look at the Wyandottes. They are quite nice, come in several colors and are cold hardy. Myself, I like the Jerseys. Both are definitly on the other end of the scale when compared to the RIRs for temperment.

 

Go to mypetchicken.com and click on breed selection (I think it is located under "which chicken" or something like that). It will give full descriptions, including class, type, size, and how docile the breed is.

 

Generally, Barred Rocks are nice birds, as are Delawares if you get them from the right place.

 

I LOVE my Buff Orpington girls.
I also have a Black Australorp Black Cochin and a Partridge Rock. All are docile and very friendly.
Now, whether this has to do with their breed, specific personalities or the fact they lived in my living room for nearly 8 weeks. I dont know. But they are all very friendly and docile. Minute I go out to the coop and open the door they are all looking to be held or be on one of us. And this includes my husband, who never gave them treats or hung out with them like I do

 

My Golden Laced Wyandottes are the the most skitty of my five different breeds out there. The only bird that will come and fly up into my lap is one of the Buff Orpington hens, she's been named Abigail. A coupld of the barred rocks and RIR's are friendly in that they don't run away from me, but they don't want to be picked up at all.

 

Buckeyes!!
Not only American, but American female created from Ohio.
Very friendly, also known to not feather pick each other (hmm)

 

Buff hens are almost always nice, the roos on the other hand...... not so much. You should look into the standard cochin breeds like buff brahmas. they by far are the nicest birds i have ever had they grow up to be big chickens but they are always very calm and don't run away from you. So look for any standard size feather footed breed.

 

My black sex-linked is a great bird. Our Plymouth barred rock isn't too far behind. Both are lap chickens.

 

Buffs, black australorpes, and Delawares are my picks for omst docile. Barred rocks are sweet as well. I just re-homed 3 of my wyandottes as they are more aggressive then my other breeds. mypetchicken.com does have a nice set up to compare breeds.

Anne