Which breed(s) would make a good pet for my niece?

[la dee da]

If she’s wanting them as pets I would look at some bantams.Meyer hatchery now sells sexed bantams and has a whole selection of clean-legs:https://meyerhatchery.com/products/assorted-clean-legged-bantam-day-old-chicks My bantam hen (a Mille Fleur D’uccle) is very sweet and affectionate.Some standard breeds come in bantam size.She would also be able to keep more of them since they’re smaller.

Bantams is what she originally wanted, but I couldn’t find them sexed, and all the hatcheries I researched years ago had a 25 chick minimum.

However, after your post, I looked at Meyer, and if I read their shipping policy correctly, they have a 3-8 chick minimum if I order during the warmer months.

I told my niece, and she ecstatically looked through their bantams and picked out her favorites. So now I have to call Meyer Hatchery to confirm the minimum, and if it is a doable number, I have to design a coop for bantams.

This reminds me so much of my own chicken hunting, where I change my mind about 60 before deciding on a breed .

 

[la dee da]

But you’re never going to get a friendly bird unless you actually spend time with your chicks from day one. THAT is the most importantly part and the biggest “friendly-factor” of all.

Thank you very much for your detailed information! There’s no worry about her spending time with them. She absolutely loves my chickens, and she will love her own even more. If for any reason it doesn’t work out, we can always rehome the chickens.

 

[la dee da]

Ameraucanas have tails, as do the EEs from them. You can tell they are that as they have a beard, and no crest, as cream legbar based EEs have a crest.

Thank you! Having tails is important in a chicken for my niece.

Just wanted to say that I used to be absolutely against birds with feathered feet for the reasons OP said. However I ended up with a surprise faverolles mix and she made me change my mind. She's not filthier than everyone else and she's the best and most friendly bird in the flock.
I think some of the best pet chickens are cochin, faverolles and silkies.

Thank you for this! I won’t hold her back if she wants a feather-legged chicken.

 

[GodLovesU]

Bantams is what she originally wanted, but I couldn’t find them sexed, and all the hatcheries I researched years ago had a 25 chick minimum.

However, after your post, I looked at Meyer, and if I read their shipping policy correctly, they have a 3-8 chick minimum if I order during the warmer months.

I told my niece, and she ecstatically looked through their bantams and picked out her favorites. So now I have to call Meyer Hatchery to confirm the minimum, and if it is a doable number, I have to design a coop for bantams.

This reminds me so much of my own chicken hunting, where I change my mind about 60 before deciding on a breed .

Awwww!I’m so glad I was able to help!

 

[cubalaya]

May i ask why specifically buff orpingtons? All colours are generally the same temperament wise

Only orpington color i have had. They love to be handled

 

[cubalaya]

Actually asils are super friendly and easy to handle. They are more intelligent than any of these other breeds. Just have to watch them around other chickens. They fight

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Only orpington color i have had. They love to be handled

Thanks!

 

[la dee da]

In case anyone was wondering, I called Meyer Hatchery today, and they do have a 3 chick minimum order for bantams starting in April (to Nov). It looks like my niece will get her bantams! She ended up picking one each of eight different breeds and color varieties, so I suppose asking for breed ideas ended up getting her she wanted, though in a different way .

 

[FrostRanger]

In case anyone was wondering, I called Meyer Hatchery today, and they do have a 3 chick minimum order for bantams starting in April (to Nov). It looks like my niece will get her bantams! She ended up picking one each of eight different breeds and color varieties, so I suppose asking for breed ideas ended up getting her she wanted, though in a different way .

Post pictures when they come! What varieties did she pick?

 

[lagrange chicks]

A cockatiel would make a much better pet. Sorry just saying.