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

[HollowOfWisps]

There are quite a few good suggestions here, thank you! I forgot about silkies, frizzles, and crested birds; I don’t want to deal with those birds either because of how cold it gets. I know some people can have them in even colder weather, but my niece becomes really attached to her animals, and her coop won’t have electricity for a heater.

I had orpingtons recently, and they’re nice birds, though always broody! It took three months once time to break a broody. I don’t think that will be too much of an issue for her, as she’ll just make the broody sit in her lap. I’m familiar with several of the other breeds mentioned (I have australorps now), but will have to research a few (yay! I love chicken research!)

@HollowOfWisps My niece saw a picture of a brahma hen and became interested in the breed; do you think their very feathered legs would be a problem? I’d read years ago that they tend to keep mud and snow in them, causing infection issues and also being prone to mites.

And don’t worry, everyone, both my niece and I are well aware that each bird will have its own personality and level of friendliness. I want her to have a good start, thus asking about breeds that tend to start off friendlier.

Sorry I didn’t see this notification and I saw that you already ordered, but I will still answer in case you decide to add any more in the future. I have had Brahma’s and I had no issues with their feathered feet.

 

[la dee da]

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

She picked:

Red Dorking
Silver Gray Dorking
White Dorking
Blue Sex-Link EE
Regular EE
Splash Ameraucana
Calico Cochin
Mille Fleur Belgian Bearded D’Uccle (bonus: she loves my attempts to pronounce this)

They didn’t have most of the breeds suggested, and she really likes the different colors, so I figured I may as well let her choose whatever she wants. I haven’t heard anything bad about these breeds, but I’m open if anyone has any warnings.

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

I had one for about fifteen years. My family has also had several budgies. I understand why people love them, but my sister and I both decided no more indoor birds for us. It was a good suggestion, though!

Sorry I didn’t see this notification and I saw that you already ordered, but I will still answer in case you decide to add any more in the future. I have had Brahma’s and I had no issues with their feathered feet.

I haven’t actually ordered them yet, so this is still helpful information. Thank you! It’s good to know the feathered-foot breeds she wants won’t be a problem.

 

[GodLovesU]

She picked:

Red Dorking
Silver Gray Dorking
White Dorking
Blue Sex-Link EE
Regular EE
Splash Ameraucana
Calico Cochin
Mille Fleur Belgian Bearded D’Uccle (bonus: she loves my attempts to pronounce this)

Love it!

 

[fluffycrow]

She picked:

Red Dorking
Silver Gray Dorking
White Dorking
Blue Sex-Link EE
Regular EE
Splash Ameraucana
Calico Cochin
Mille Fleur Belgian Bearded D’Uccle (bonus: she loves my attempts to pronounce this)

They didn’t have most of the breeds suggested, and she really likes the different colors, so I figured I may as well let her choose whatever she wants. I haven’t heard anything bad about these breeds, but I’m open if anyone has any warnings.


I had one for about fifteen years. My family has also had several budgies. I understand why people love them, but my sister and I both decided no more indoor birds for us. It was a good suggestion, though!


I haven’t actually ordered them yet, so this is still helpful information. Thank you! It’s good to know the feathered-foot breeds she wants won’t be a problem.

Some of the breeds on your list are likely to go broody, something to keep in mind since you mentioned not wanting broodiness for your niece's birds

Good luck with your and your niece's future group!

 

[la dee da]

Some of the breeds on your list are likely to go broody, something to keep in mind since you mentioned not wanting broodiness for your niece's birds

Good luck with your and your niece's future group!

Would you please tell me which breeds are likely? It’s been a long time since I’ve researched breeds, and I’d like to warn her and give her a chance to change her mind.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

She picked:

Red Dorking
Silver Gray Dorking
White Dorking
Blue Sex-Link EE
Regular EE
Splash Ameraucana
Calico Cochin
Mille Fleur Belgian Bearded D’Uccle (bonus: she loves my attempts to pronounce this)

They didn’t have most of the breeds suggested, and she really likes the different colors, so I figured I may as well let her choose whatever she wants. I haven’t heard anything bad about these breeds, but I’m open if anyone has any warnings.


I had one for about fifteen years. My family has also had several budgies. I understand why people love them, but my sister and I both decided no more indoor birds for us. It was a good suggestion, though!


I haven’t actually ordered them yet, so this is still helpful information. Thank you! It’s good to know the feathered-foot breeds she wants won’t be a problem.

That sounds like a great list of chickens!!

 

[fluffycrow]

Would you please tell me which breeds are likely? It’s been a long time since I’ve researched breeds, and I’d like to warn her and give her a chance to change her mind.

Well, in reality any female of any breed can go broody, but that there are some breeds that are known for going broody. In your case, that would be the cochin, the D'Uccles, and possibly the ameraucana. Easter Eggers are also known to go broody, but since they are not a standardised breed, one can't say for sure.

Again, this is not a guarantee that they will go broody, but rather something to keep in mind before getting them home

 

[la dee da]

Well, in reality any female of any breed can go broody, but that there are some breeds that are known for going brood.[…]

Again, this is not a guarantee that they will go broody, but rather something to keep in mind before getting them home

Oh, I already know all that. I just couldn’t remember which breeds (beyond orps and silkies) tend to be broody, and have never really researched bantams (I know they can differ a bit from their standard counterparts).

Thank you for the breed names! I’ll let her know so she can make her own decision.

 

[Ilovechickens2525]

My Orpingtons, Marans, speckled Sussex and welsummers are all my favorites in my flock also the most friendly. My originally four follow me around everywhere. I have lots of other breeds because my kids picked them out, but if I was just choosing what chickens we had it would be those four breeds. Marans can have feathered legs, but every blue copper Maran I have gotten from Meyer were clean legged. It’s mainly the French lines that have the feathered legs. Feathered legs are not really a problem at least they haven’t been for me. We have had flooding which leads to lots of mud and snow so deep I look like I’m swimming in it. None of my feathered foot chickens have had issues. I had more issues with crested breeds in winter and wet weather than I ever had with feathered feet.

Agree with this, I have two marans and their feet are fine and we’ve had -47 temps this winter. A few of my girls got mild frostbite on their combs but my marans are fine.

Just make sure you have flat roosts, like 2x4s and they can cover their feet at night. My black silverudd marans mix is my sweetest tamest girl, she makes the best pet.

 

[Noraaaaa]

She picked:

Red Dorking
Silver Gray Dorking
White Dorking
Blue Sex-Link EE
Regular EE
Splash Ameraucana
Calico Cochin
Mille Fleur Belgian Bearded D’Uccle (bonus: she loves my attempts to pronounce this).

I love her choices! You pronounce D’Uccle like Dee’uckle