What type of hens should I stay away from?

[debilorrah]

Truthfully? If you get them as babies you have a MUCH better chance of them loving you. Our hens were purchased 7 weeks ago and they are just now getting to the point where they run to us for treats, etc. But the babies that are now 7 weeks old, act like God has graced their presence when we go in there. We have 4 BO's and 2 RIR chicks and they ALL love us. Well, except Hannibal - aptly named.....

 

[al6517]

stay with the standard breeds, NO Banty's.

 

[6mutts]

I had buff orpinton chicks for about 2 month(until the neighbors dog got them...) and they DID not like me for some reason, but I have heard they are good layers and good hen...but not for me

I had plymouth barred rocks and I LOVED THEM, even the roo would hop on my lap and cuddle-very nice birds. Until the neighbors dog got them too......Hmmm if you are thinking about a getting a dog, I would NOT get a chow mix.....like the neighbors dog!

 

[Betsy]

Lakenvelders. I've never had more skittish chickens. They lay okay, but I still wouldn't recommend them.

 

[crazy4chickns]

We got our buff orpingtons as 1day old chicks. They seem pretty laid back,but we have spent alot of time with all our 27 chickens because I homeschool. My son totes his americana hen around almost daily and she loves it! I recomend americanas and I really love our australorpe hen she is loving,gorgeus and lays an egg pretty much every day.Well back to the BO they say they lay all winter and so pretty to boot.Just make sure you do some bonding early on and you should do fine.

 

[Akane]

RIR and Leghorns wouldn't be my first choice for calm tame chickens. Individuals do vary alot but RIR tend to be known for their agression, mostly roos though, and leghorns for being flighty. The orps, brahmas, and austrolorps are the ones I see mentioned most often for being tame, easy to handle, good layers and you'll notice they've been mentioned multiple times already in this thread. There are also plenty of less common breeds out there if you go looking. Check out the henderson chicken chart:
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

 

[ZooMummzy]

I have to agree that is how much time you spend with them, especially when they are little. Chickens are like people - all different.

 

[Alpha Roo]

Our BO lays an egg a day for 3 days, then a day off. Our EE (More skittish) is usually every other day. Turken and RIR, everyday, Spangled, every 1-2 days. The BO's seem to be the most layed back and friendliest. The BO chicks think I'm their daddy I guess, they climb all over me and love to be pet.

 

[s6bee]

I don't have a huge variety to choose from but friendly and productive I really like the Black Austrolorp. Our Barred Rock is a nice reliable hen too.

 

[digitS']

Quote:
I just want to "second" everything Akane said . . . and I'll "third" what's been said about the Barred Rocks.

(Must not have an original thought in my head this morning.

)

Steve