Tame Birds

[sourland]

I vote Orpingtons and Australorps.

 

[Judy]

I would stay away from RIR. Many of them if hatchery sourced are more properly called production reds, having been crossed with other breeds, and tend to be on the mean or flighty side. Now that's a generalization; you can get tame and mean in the same breed, even from the same breeding parents. And my two production reds happen to be among my tamest. I'm speaking more from reading on here.

My very tamest have been Kraienkoppes and Speckled Sussex (from Ideal.)

 

[Tracydr]

Of all the chickens I've had in twenty five years, my old English game bantys have been the tamest. You can have twice the number of hens, probably even four times, in the space and amount of feed as regular large fowl. They are wonderful pets and decent layers, although they have small eggs. I keep them for pets and because they are very good guardians of the flock, especially my banty rooster. If a grandchild wants to play with the chickens, I always have the bantys for them to pick up and hold.
I'm raising three silkies for my granddaughter because that's what she wanted but still finding the bantys tamer and more personable.

 

[foxypoproxy]

Quote:
I agree with this!
My Old English Game hens were wonderful!
I grew up with these chickens as a child and i love them!
They would sit in my lap and follow me around the yard.
I would just be cautious with the roosters...mine was mean...i know they aren't all like that, but mine was.

 

[Slotred]

I chose Australorps when I began my search for a breed, and I do believe they meet all the requirements you're looking for. If I had it to do again, I'd probably add a couple of speckled Sussex, just for variety.
My Australorp girls are beautiful birds, and they are a joy to own. My grandchildren love to pat them, and the hens seem to enjoy being around the kids. It helps to have a good supply of meal worms on hand--my hens are meal worm junkies.