What is a good breed for kids? Where to buy?

[Contessa]

We only have four hens, but our BR is the sweetest of the bunch. I agree, you'll get lots of different responses. If you stay away from flighty birds (Leghorns are great for lots of white eggs, but don't care for people most of the time) you should be ok. Even then you can wind up with a very nice temperment. Alot of it is in the handling.

 

[kera!]

wE ARE ALLON HERE WELL BECAUSE WE ARE NUTS ABOUT OUR CHICKENS AND THEY ARE ALL NICE BECASEU THEY ARE OUR PETS, i WENT ON MY PET CHICKEN AND LET MY KIDS PICK WITH A LITTLE HELP AFTER i MADE ME A QUICK MENTAL LIST OF WHAT i WANTED A RAINBOW OF EGGS WITH EASY GOING CHICKENS

 

[catterbug]

I really wanted a white egg layer but after talking to the hatchery and checking various breeds I decided to stay away from them since I have a 4 and 6 year old. I wanted a pretty good layer that wouldn't be too broody but that would be good with kids. So far my kids favorites are the EE's and Salmon Faverolles. I also have some RIR and Golden Buffs.

 

[jammi]

I have a RIR that chatters the whole time, and is friendly but doesn't really like being picked up, A lovely gentle silver wyandotte who will also hang around and doesn't mind being held. The leghorn that we had was a real loner and did her own thing and our gold lace wyondotte also was not that friendly. All four of these were raised together and we got them at around 12 weeks old. It amazes me just how different their personalities are.

Have just raised some chicks, and the mother was so protective we haven't had much chance to get them used to being handled as she trained them to avoid us, even tho she herself is actually quite a friendly little banty.

 

[teddiliza]

d'uccles are wonderful kid chickens because they are still small when they grow up and easily tamed, and actually like being snuggled and petted- at least mine do- except my hatchery d'uccles. Langshans are BIG, but the Langshan pullets I have are really calm and mellow and quiet. My Barred Rock has been good with kids. I also had a New Hampshire that was the absolute favorite and got carried around the yard everywhere, but she bullied the other chickens. I don't think my son has forgiven me for selling her...

My hatchery Langshans are from Ideal Hatchery. My d'uccles I got from Estes hatchery from the store bantam bin at Orschelns originally, then got eggs from Ugly Duckly who turned into beautiful roosters. She still sells hatching eggs. You can check out the thread 'd'uccle breeder's database' to see if there's any near you. I also had a spitzhauben who was the most curious and friendly chicken. Whatever you were doing she wanted to be involved. She died of something stuck in her crop. Their crest is a problem when it's cold and snowy out. There were a few nights I'd bring her in the garage so her crest would thaw out.

 

[hcammack]

Faverolles are a very docile kid friendly breed.

 

[teddiliza]

You also have to make sure that your kids are taught to handle the chicks very gently, otherwise the chicks will get scared of the kids and likely as adults too. Chicks don't like being 'grabbed by a monster hand from above'.

 

[gumbii]

i think it's all about how you're raising them and how you interact with them...

i raised a pair of silver sebright bantams and they LOVE me... they love being held and just enjoy being pet... i also have some OEGB hens that are the same way... my SQ are also nice, but i don't let many people handle them and mess up their feathers or something...

my pair of silkies are so awesome too... they will let anyone walk up to them and pick them up... but the soft spot on top of their head makes me cautious with them and the kids... and they're available all over the place...

i just got some giant cochins, and my friend that has giant cochins has his so tame, quiet and friendly... that's the only reason i got these... i have had a bantam cochin before, but i need some egg/meat birds...