Which breeds for kids?

We did the same thing. I wanted chickens that would be good w/ the kids (3yo and 7yo).

WE have: Barred Plymoth Rock, Cochins (bantam and LF), Easter Eggers, Silkies and Marans.

ok, so the friendliest ones we have are the Cochins and the Silkies. One Cochin (LF) is leaps and bounds friendlier than allll the other birds. Our silkies are very tolerant of being held, dont run away from hands as much and love to snuggle. The girls like to hold the silkies and the one uber friendly cochin the best.

Our Plymoth Rock is VERY VERY friendly as well. She tolerates being pet, enjoys perching on you and is pretty lovable.

Our other cochins (2 bantams and one more LF) are friendly, docile and sweet....even the one Roo.

Our EE's are not as friendly as the others. They are not mean, and will let you pet them....some. If you sit quielty they prefer to approach you instead of you going after them. Once they decide they want your attention they will perch on you and then you are allowed to pet them. they are the first to run from our hands in the Brood Box. BUT they are funny energetic and curious chickens! They are so much fun to watch!

Our Marans (Silver Cuckoos, I think?) are not very freindly. They will tolerate being picked up and held, but dont enjoy it like the silkies, cochins and the PR. They are our standoffish birds. But I got htem for the dark eggs.... I wasnt as worried about them being pets, since we have 8 chickens that are super friendly!
 
Out of the chickens we have, the Buff Orpington and the black Australorps are the absolute sweetest! My son with one of the BA's is my avatar. They are very affectionate, and excellent layers!
 
My kids are 5 and 7 and their favorites are our cochin bantams!!! They are the sweetest things. I don't think they have a mean feather on them! lol
 
I would go with Barred Rocks and Wyandottes. I have them both and they are very friendly. My 3 yr. old just loves them and they adore her. Great layers too. I have heard EE and Silkies are great too. These are on my want list. Have fun and good luck
 
Oh and silly me.
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We have a mixed variety and would say that 2 of the 3 EE are super friendly with kids (and me). I also have 2 Buff Orps, not recommended. They were little squawkers as chicks, rooster is going soon because he's mean and hen avoids us but is a great, protective, mother hen who never is mean to humans but isn't warm and friendly to us either. I'm eager at some time to get a silkie, they sound sweet. Good luck with "starting" your feathered family! Lots of fun for the kiddos!
 
We just got 3 Rhode Island Reds and 2 Oriental Bantams and 3 Cornish (by mistake)...I have a 6 year old and 4 year old twins....and go figure the Cornish are the most tame! Our RIR are super friendly but also crazy lol. They will run right up to us and then they will make laps around the coop--very entertaining! My kids have been around them since day one and have held them everyday since (they are about 6-7 weeks old now) and the chicks and kids get along great! Good luck!
 
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If you are looking primarily for egg production I would rethink these because most of them tend to go broody often and the Cochin which are very docile are not super egg producers. If you look on this site on the home page there is a section dedicated to breeds which describes egg production and tendncy for broodiness. You can click on the header of the column you want them sorted by ie: egg prduction, or comb type, etc. There are exceptions to every rule but I just thought I would let you know my thoughts
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