They’re a disruptive breed and aren’t worth having if you want some peace and quiet on the homestead. But, there is some level of skill to succeed in a mixed flock. Most hens have their noisy moments too - usually just after laying an egg. Some breeds are naturally more aggressive, while others will be friendly or better at other things – like foraging. Wyandotte chickens are frequently raised in backyard flocks because they are beautiful to look at – but they are also prized for their calm, sweet demeanor. They are small, docile, and incredibly sweet. These chickens originated as court birds for the Sultans of the Ottoman empire. They aren’t very friendly though, so they don’t do well with humans and other chickens. Brahma chickens also make popular pets, particularly if you live in a northern climate. Ancona are some of the best layers, producing 5-7 eggs a week, though they have a tendency to be wilder than most and do enjoy a good fly once in a while, making them a bit harder to keep fenced in. Barbu D’Uccles are known for their proclivity toward perching on the head and shoulders of their owners, as well as for their enjoyment of being held and cuddled. They may lay blue eggs but may also lay green, tan, pink or yellow eggs. These birds are calm and docile – and an excellent breed of chicken for beginners and more experienced flock owners. Silkie chickens of any kind are popular choices for backyard flocks, but bantam birds tend to be the most popular. Maybe you’re looking for chicken breeds that can live with other animals? White Leghorn (And Brown) Individual chicken breeds are also known for their unique personalities. Plymouth Rocks are easy to find, which is great news – they’re one of the friendliest chicken breeds you’ll find and one you’ll definitely want to consider adding to your backyard flock. Golden Comet Chicken So, if you are going to mix them, even though they will avoid more aggressive chickens, it is best to mix them with gentle breeds. This bird rarely scratched at the imperial gardens and today is raised for similar purposes. They have low wings and plenty of leg feathering, making them a beautiful addition to your backyard flock. They come in many varieties of colors. Many people are worried about hormones in our foods, therefore decided to raise their own food.If you want to follow their lead, these are the chickens to raise. that they are incredibly easy to handle. They get along great with children and other chickens. A dual-purpose breed, the Orpington breed comes in other colors, too, including lavender, blue, black, buff, and white. If you’re looking into a first-timer looking into the idea of having fowl in your backyard, we recommend you start with the Bantam Chickens section as they are fairly low maintenance and easy to take care of. This isn't an issue for many people. Please seek advice from a certified veterinarian in a case of emergency. Some of the more aggressive breeds seem to love bullying them. Now that you know what to look for in a friendly pet chicken, here are some of the most popular friendly chicken breeds. The Sussex chicken is another dual-purpose breed that lays about 250 eggs each year. © Copyright 2011-2017. That being said, some of the broodiest chicken breeds are also the best mothers, so this may be a trade-off you want to make. They are so tiny (often less than a pound or two!) 3. You can’t go wrong with the popular Australorp, especially when you consider that it’s one of the most friendly and docile chicken breeds around. A derivative of the Chilean Araucana, American scientists bred the Ameraucana to preserve the distinctive light blue colored eggs of the Araucana, yet eliminate a gene that could cause chicks to die inside the egg. Campine. What Are the Best Animals to Keep With Chickens. To achieve this level of egg production, this breed needs good care, proper diet, and a conducive environment. Chickens have been rapidly growing in popularity as one of the most beloved homestead pets. It enjoys lap time and is very easy to tame and to handle. But if your hens are in an urban or suburban setting where neighbours are likely to complain, you might want to avoid the Orpingtons - all types - and the Poland (or Polish). The Cochin chicken is not only one of the largest chicken breeds, but it’s also one of the friendliest chicken breeds you can raise, too. These concerns are easy to resolve, and you’ll find plenty of information online about how to do both. Polish chickens are gaining popularity as backyard chicken breeds, largely because they have a bizarre appearance that is prized by new chicken keepers. Brahma chickens produce about 150 eggs each year. You might not pick this chicken to be your pet, but if you are worried about potential predators this is one of the weariest breeds you can turn loose to free-range. That being said, the Silver Laced Serama is widely regarded as the most aggressive breed of chicken. If you do want to get serious about showing and breeding, you will want to buy your birds from a breeder who strives for the American Poultry Association Standards of Perfection. backyard chicken owners, band to be fair, the disposition of a chicken has more This is the original pure breed of indigenous chicken unadulterated by research. This is one of the largest breeds in the world and is an ideal chicken for newcomers as they’re easy to manage. Finally, if you plan on raising a friendly chicken breed as a pet, you will want to consider how easy it is to train. I’ve heard a lot of people claim that Ameraucanas are excellent heat-hardy breeds, while others argue that they can’t handle temperatures about 70 degrees. A docile chicken breed that is also easy to train, these birds are prolific layers, producing about 200 brown eggs each year. They come in 3 colors: black, blue, and white. This fluffy, mellow bird is also quite cuddly. Hatchery breeders are more concerned with quantity than quality, but keep in mind that “quality” here refers to the APA standar… Polish chickens do great in confinement. There are a ton of varieties of Orpington chickens, but the Buff Orpington chicken tends to be one of the easiest to come by. These birds have a tendency to be quite friendly and docile – they’re also relatively easy to train. These chickens come in many colors, including laced color They make one of the best free-range chicken breeds due to their ability to avoid predators. Hens often go broody, and they do a good job of caring for their young. Some will stay broody a long time even with nothing in the nest, while others will snap out of it quickly if they don’t have eggs to set on. Most prohibit at-home butchering, so you need to avoid meat birds as well. These birds are calm and enjoy being allowed to free-range. mean chicken, however, and you’ll likely be met with silence or, in the very Wyandotte chickens can also be raised for Ask anybody how to deal with an aggressive or A quiet chicken, Cochin is also a decent layer, producing about three eggs each week. best-case scenario, a lot of contradictory information. The Easter Egger chicken is not technically a recognized breed. Sex Link Chickens Egg Color: Brown. When you’re looking for the best breed of chicken for your family, consider some of these friendliest pet chicken breeds – not only will they be easier to tame, but they’ll also provide you with an endless supply of tasty farm-fresh eggs. Categories : Chickens 101 Tags : 1800s a ameraucana and blue-green-eggs chicken chicken-breeds chickens-101 cold delaware-chicken deviled dominique-chicken egg eggs for free friendly growing hardy heritage hole in jersey-giant-chicken lisa-steele livestock long make meat most popular poultry rhode-island-red that the the-1800s to wyandotte-chicken Sidebar: Breeds to Avoid. Faverolles. Booted Bantam Ideally, a friendly pet chicken will not only be docile around other chickens but will have the courage to stand up for itself if it is being bullied – this can prevent it from becoming injured by other more aggressive members of the flock. There are however some dog breeds that are particularly famous for their abilities to keep their poultry safe. Although intelligence can sometimes correlate with aggression and flightiness, that doesn’t have to be the case. Jersey Giants are some of the largest chicken breeds out there, and while the formal name is Jersey Giant, we think this chicken breed should be renamed to “Gentle Giant.”. They also tolerate cold climates very well. eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'chickenbreedslist_com-box-3','ezslot_1',138,'0','0']));Here you’ll find a list of 61 different chicken breeds. This bird is incredibly inquisitive – yet also overwhelmingly sweet and delicate. Fayoumi As chicken breeding became industrialized, these breeds were replaced by fast growing hybrids. KnowYourChickens.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. And to make matters worse, they attack other chickens if you have a mixed chicken yard. They are also quite hardy to the elements. These happy birds are quite chatty – yet they also enjoy human interaction. They are normal feeders and can be raised partly by local kitchen waste and left to scavenge for food in within the compound. However, there are some ways you can encourage your chickens to be friendlier, even if you don’t have one of the friendliest chicken breeds we already mentioned. This breed can be found in multiple color combinations, including mottled black, porcelain, and mille fleur. To avoid irrevocable loss caused by the extinction of a breed, The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy sets standards for marketing these as Heritage. Orpington chickens are very friendly and gentle. You’ll also receive an impressive four eggs or so each week from your hens. Strong egg layers but flighty birds, Andalusians are a rather active breed and can run very fast. Now, all chickens can be dual-purpose, for the most part, meaning they lay eggs and you can eat their meat. One of the hardiest, tough and most self-sufficient chicken breeds. They have silky feathers that are more like puff balls than actual feathers, and they even have feathered legs. Whether you’re a seasoned chicken breeder and coop owner or you’re just looking for information to get started on owning chickens, you’ll find plenty of information below! … Dominique Temperament: When choosing a breed, consider temperament. For example, convincing the chickens that you are an alpha chicken can be quite beneficial. If you’ve been considering raising backyard chickens for a while now, hopefully, your only qualms are about how to build a chicken coop or what exactly you should feed your birds. Chickens all conform to something called the pecking order, which is just a hierarchy of power into which each chicken falls. The White Leghorn does best in warm climates It is a French chicken from the Faverolles region. Chicken Diapers: Should You Really Use Them on Your Chickens? Some chicken breeds will go broody often and some are less likely to ever go broody. The Ameraucana breed was (surprise!) Like the mean girls at school who love picking on the shy girl. Not all chicken breeds are made the same, so But some have a little extra flair than others. Last on our list of white chicken breeds is the White Australorp, which originated in Australia. While showing chickens is not a priority for most backyard flock masters, you should think about whether you might want to breed and/or show your chickens, somewhere down the road, before you start your flock. meat, however. They love the summer months but don’t to … They are easy to handle and while they aren’t well-suited to cold environments, they can easily be raised indoors, too. To do this, you should avoid backing down from a chicken that is showing signs of aggression. Native to Australia, they do well in just about any type of climate. A docile, tame, and friendly bird, this chicken enjoys being handled – and it especially loves to cuddle! Stand as tall as possible and if you can, avoid using a boot or stick as a protection measure – chickens often view these measures as threats. They are curious birds, so an indoor environment is recommended to keep these inquisitive chickens out of trouble. The Brahma chicken is not only one of the most massive chicken breeds out there, but it’s also a great chicken for people seeking a friendly, cold-hardy breed. Know Your Chickens is a free resource dedicated to teaching backyard chicken owners more about their flock. Orpington chickens will be in the middle of the pecking order among other calm chicken breeds but can end up at the bottom of the pecking order with more aggressive breeds. The most common chicken breed in commercial egg productions, this bird can be flighty. They are a hardy bird and can withstand cold climates without any trouble. What chicken breeds are most suited for me? The short answer is Yes! Hold it for about a minute until it recognizes your dominance. 2. Sultans are exotic chickens that make excellent pets. They do well in confinement and are also incredibly docile. Silkie chickens also have blue earlobes, black skin, and black bones. So keep an eye on your chickens, regardless of how heat-tolerant their breed allegedly is. They’re a challenge to tame, but once they’re attached to you they may even offer presents. Hamburg Meat Breeds. Orpingtons have friendly dispositions that make them great options for people seeking low-maintenance flocks. If you have a small space in which to raise the birds, choose breeds with a calmer temperament and avoid birds that are listed as active. Dominiques have a flatter rose comb whereas Plymouth Rocks have an upright comb. Developed originally as a commercial, dual-purpose breed but later replaced by hybrids, Delawares today make excellent backyard chickens. The amount of stress they cause also interferes with the egg-laying schedule for other chickens in the yard. After all, the best way to replenish your stock of meat chickens is naturally. Campines, despite their small size, make good egg layers, though their primary use is as a show favorite. Active birds will not be happy in close confinement. Cochin chickens are also prized for their mothering abilities. To avoid such issues, selecting the right chicken breed is helpful. Some are noticeably louder than others, though. The Polish chicken hen is also a good egg layer, producing about four eggs each week. We’ve got that covered too!eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'chickenbreedslist_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',106,'0','0'])); Simply click the specific breed of chicken you’d like to learn more about to visit that breed’s page and find in-depth detail about each. They may peck your hand as you try to feed them, or they may chase other chickens around the yard. They become alarmed more easily than other breeds, and as soon as they feel threatened they look for ways to escape. Hens are extremely quiet, and while these chickens are extremely fluffy, they don’t fly well. It is not necessarily a calm, relaxed chicken breed, but since it is so intelligent, it is easy to train. They are raised for both meat and eggs are originated from various places in the planet. These chickens occasionally go broody and are great mothers, too. created in the United States around 1970, relatively late in the game with respect to most other breeds. In this article, you can find all the essential information about selecting the best chicken breeds as pets . via Visual Hunt / CC BY. Getting your goals and choosing the perfect breeds can be a difficult task. varieties like blue, gold, and silver. They typically lay four, large, brown eggs a week far into the winter months. Delaware Speckled Sussex chickens are the most popular in the United States, but you can also find them in shades of brown, buff, light, buff, white, silver, coronation, red, and buff Columbian. Chickens who have a tendency to go broody can sometimes be more aggressive, as they will become more standoffish as they attempt to hatch their own eggs. The Kuroiler chicken was introduced from the Keggs … Easter Eggers aren’t actually a recognized chicken breed. Broodiness and mothering ability also comes into play when you are looking for the most friendly chicken breed. Though Minorcas used to have mythical-like egg laying abilities, the current breed has slowed down production just a bit, however not enough to make them anything less than one of the strongest laying breeds. Yokohamas work best as show birds since they don’t lay very well and just simply have too good of an appearance to waste. KnowYourChickens.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. 1. That being said, these chickens aren’t the best for raising in hot climates, as they have lots of fluff that can cause them to overheat during the worst parts of summer. The A-Z List of Breeds Ameraucana. Their maturity period is six months and they lay an average of 3 to 10 eggs a month. Not only are these fluffy birds great egg producers, but they are also excellent pets. Hens can become extremely cranky when they are broody and their nests are disturbed, while roosters are generally quite ornery in the first year of their lives (when their bodies are surging with hormones) as well as in the early spring. In fact, most chicken owners celebrate their varied flock. They enjoy being around humans and do well in confinement. Chicken Coop good Aseel 5- 5 3/4 cream yes bears confinement better than most other game breeds; extremely fierce & pugnacious, but docile & easily handled when away from other cocks; because of aggressiveness, not recommended for a mixed flock occasioal brooder Best Coop: Walk in chicken coop for 6 to 8 excellent Australorp or Black Australorp Buff Orpington Chickens originated in England. For example, the Wyandotte is a very cold-hardy breed. They are excellent layers that produce about 250 brown eggs each year. Available in black, blue, or white, these chickens are good foragers, too. Different types of chickens have varying qualities to them which determine which category they fall in to: egg layers, chickens meant for eating, show chickens, and Bantam chickens. Write us at info(at)knowyourchickens.com with any questions or concerns! I have raised nearly twenty different breeds over the last seven years and temperament from breed to … … However, to avoid losses, it is advisable to fence a chicken run where they can graze on the pasture and if you have a large stock, you can also supplement their feed with omena, grains, termites and commercial feeds. We have the chicken breeds that are for meat. Star chicks can be sexed at hatching time, making it easy for you to tell whether you are getting a hen or rooster – and thereby eliminating the likelihood of gender-related aggression in your flock. For example, think about how your chicken breed of choice will interact with other members of the flock – as well as chickens of other breeds. Modern Games are skinny and lengthy, so they aren’t good for eggs or meat, but they’re great for showing off. It enjoys lap time and is very easy to tame and to handle. However, these white chickens have beautiful appearances with large, puffy crests and vulture hocks. The Dominique chicken is commonly confused with the Plymouth Rock. Chickens of this breed have feathered crests that can sometimes obscure their vision, making them a bit nervous around people. Then, tuck it under your arm like a football. Let’s look at a few points to consider when choosing which chicken breeds. Good layers and good-natured as well, the Ameraucana breed is one of only three breeds that lay blue eggs. Similarly, roosters, too, tend to be more aggressive than hens, but again, in every flock, there tends to be at least one ornery hen. However, once you trim the crest back, your chickens will not only be able to see better but will also be less nervous around you. A calm, curious breed, the Barbu D’Uccle is known to occasionally fly but also does well in confinement. Plymouth Rocks are some of the most popular dual-purpose chicken breeds around. The Cornish Cross is the preferred when picking a chicken for meat. 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