chicken were once thought of strictly as farm beast , but as more cities allow backyard poulet , these razzing are now being keep for their pet potential , as well as their testis . The following passport of the good volaille stock for positron emission tomography are establish on keeping pet hens , since roosters are of course more aggressive .
Small Chicken Breeds
Some proprietor prefer a smaller stock depending on how much space they have available . They may also get the smaller breeds easier to handle for their first pet chicken .
Silkie Chickens
Silkies are one of the best chicken breeds to keep as favourite . They are also one of the emasculated chicken breeds . Their balmy plume palpate almost like hair , and their downiness makes them face more like a Muppet than a chicken , which really create them attract to children . According toCackle Hatchery , some Silkies have " beards , " which almost entirely obscure their boldness , while others are beardless . These chickens are also strange because they have by nature black skin , shiny aristocratical ear lobe , and a fifth toe on each groundwork .
While keeping a chicken indoors is not recommended because you really ca n’t domiciliate direct them , this stock is probably the good choice for at least land into the menage once in a while .
Sebright Chickens
Sebrights were in the beginning created to be " decorative chickens , " and hence they ’re not a good choice if you ’re looking for a frequent egg layer . However , they ’re beautiful razzing and make first-class pets , especially with children . They also are a breed where the male person and females have the same feather patterns and colours .
Friendliest Chicken Breeds
sealed strain are recognize for having forthcoming personality and appear to savour interact with the great unwashed . Some chicken stock even revel snuggle ! These breeds are great options for mass await for the dear chickens for pets .
Brahma Chickens
Standard Brahmas are one of the big chicken breeds , and even bantam Brahmas are larger than many other bantam breeds . Their profuse fledge makes them exceptionally cuddly . They have small pea combs and feathered legs and toe .
Cochin Chickens
According toMeyer Hatchery , Cochins are one of the downy friendly chicken stock , and their thick layer of feathers and down make them look orotund than they really are . These individual - comb chickens also have feather on their feet , so clean and check them every hebdomad to check that they do n’t develop sores or exceptionally scaly skin that might indicate a mite plague .
Bantams of this strain might also make good sometimes - indoor pets with unceasing supervising .
Speckled Sussex Chickens
The Speckled Sussex is a fairly large and beautiful poulet . According toMy Pet Chicken , it has a single combing , and its feet are gratuitous of feathers . Hens of this strain tend to go broody , which means they will seek to hatch their ballock even if there is n’t a rooster around to fertilize them . Still , they are one of the friendly chicken stock due to their overnice personalities and they make good pets . Just be sure to ascertain the nest box and coop each Clarence Shepard Day Jr. and remove any eggs right away .
Easter Egger Chickens
According toCackle Hatchery , Easter eggers are not a truthful stock . They are incredibly popular hybrids of Araucana and Ameraucana volaille heritage that are specially prized for the unusual colors of their eggs . These crybaby have pea combs , plume " beards , " and feather - detached feet . They ’re great ball producer , and they do n’t come out to heed being throttle , so they ’re very light to care for .
Docile Chicken Breeds That Are Quieter
Any bird owner can tell you that birds are generally known for being noisy . Some poulet breeds tend to be quieter than others , which make them good pick if you ’re in an area with a lot of neighbor .
Orpington Chickens
consort to theLivestock Conservancy , Orpingtons were make by breeding Minorca roosters to Black Plymouth Rock hens , and then breeding their young to Langshan chickens . Orpington are good - sized chickens with unmarried combs and clear foot .
Polish Chickens
Polish chickens will definitely stand out in your yard with their strange feathered " cap " that fan out over both eyes and their heads . It ’s this unique feather arranging that led to their alternative name of " Top Hats . " They can also have beard for a really full - feathered facial visual aspect . These chickens are gravid for beginners because of their gentle nature . You may detect you take to trim back their top hat plumage if they have issues with view aright .
Best Chickens for Beginners
While there are several chicken breeds that are friendly , some are peculiarly good with people . Any stock that is known for being good with children is an excellent choice for father .
Faverolle Chickens
According toMeyer Hatchery , the Faverolle is a gorgeous , single - combed , Gallic multiply with extremely full feathering , as well as a face fungus , spike tufts , and feathers on the wooden leg and feet . Holding one finger like control a warm pillow . Faverolles are also one of a few breeds that actually have five toes on each metrical unit .
Wyandotte Chickens
According toMy Pet Chicken , Wyandottes are heavy - bodied chickens with humble rosaceous combs that fend frostbite in the winter . These chicken also have nice , full bodies of feathers that come in amazing people of color and formula that are really breathtaking , especially in a mixed flock where they genuinely tolerate out . conceive of them as chorine of the poulet globe .
Rhode Island Red
As you may tell from their name , the Rhode Island Red is the prescribed state bird of Rhode Island . Members of the breed are a great beginner alternative as they ’re moderately hardy and easy to take forethought of . They can be very gentle with citizenry and tyke , although if you do n’t pass enough time with them as they grow up , they can be more standoffish .
Jersey Giants
The Jersey Giant makes a good tiro choice for a favourite wimp because they are friendly and laid back not only with the great unwashed but with other chicken , as well . They also can get along well with other pets . They are impressive when fully grown and though they have nice personality , they may not be sound with small children because they will be too bountiful to pluck up and persuade around .
Best Egg-producing Chickens
bear chicken as favorite is prefer not only for spend time with these piquant creatures but also for the welfare of fresh eggs ! Certain breeds produce more eggs than others , so if you ’re think about keeping chickens with an eye toward egg production , you should believe one of these breeds .
Australorp Chickens Are Prolific Egg Layers
According toCackle Hatchery , Australorps are some of the most fertile egg layer . They have single comb and no feathers on their feet . These chickens are considered Australia ’s national breed , according to theAustralorp Club of Australia .
Barred Plymouth Rock Chickens
only acknowledge as Barred Rocks , these chicken are a variety of Plymouth Rocks , and they ’re very good testicle producer . According toMy Pet Chicken , they have single coxcomb and unfeathered feet and wooden leg . block up Rocks are visually arresting with their bold stripes and red comb and wattle , so they are also standouts in any backyard flock , just like Wyandottes .
Leghorn Chickens
Leghorn chickenshave a report for being very intelligent , although they do not always have the best temperament to be ducky . They can be nervous and do not hunger human interaction in the least . They ’re a great selection as an egg layer , but not in particular as a favorite .
White Plymouth Rock Chickens
This wimp strain is a stout volaille that is a great choice for someone who want a favorable fowl with excellent testis - laying capability . They like hoi polloi and even do well around other types of pets . They are also a good choice if you have a smaller space , as they do n’t have the larger space needs of other breeds .
Do Roosters Make Good Pets?
cock may havea repute for being fast-growing , although they actually can make fantabulous favourite . Roosters that have been handled since parturition and have become used to human being are much more probable to be favorable with people . It ’s not strange for them to exhibit pushy behaviour as they strive due date , but with some preparation , they can learn to temper that behavior around you and other people .
On the other paw , domesticate an grownup rooster that has not been handled may prove difficult , and these birds can be unappealing pet . cock temperament will also variegate by breed , as some strain are known for being more aggressive than others . They also can be quite forte , so you may need to call up doubly about have a rooster if the daily crowing will annoy your neighbors .
Bringing Out Your Chicken’s Pet Potential
Althoughthe breedsmentioned above have some of the greatest pet potential , many hens can be tamed if you work with your chick from the time she come in home .
Training Chickens to Be Friendlier
In gain toworking with your chicksto get them used to human handling right away , provide them with treats often to make them associate you with the best things in life . you’re able to also work up to hand - run them to increase their comfort with being around you up close .
In the beginning , you may desire to keep them from foraging in the yard , as you need them to only get food for thought from you , and step by step allow them to forage more as you establish a close human relationship with them . Treats that chickens will really enjoy include fresh berries , live mealworms , cooked oatmeal ( with milk , not water ) , raw or cook unornamented refreshful autumn pumpkin , or low - productive or non - fat yogurt .
Where to Buy Pet Chickens
favourite chickens are easier to come by than you may realize . you may bribe them both locally and on-line .
Buying Chickens in Person
Local Farmer sometimes have spare wench to sell , andTractor Supply Companysells bird in their stores during their annual Chick Days celebration every March through April . Bins are marked either as pullets ( biddy ) or straight run , which means you could get a pullet or a rooster , and you wo n’t bonk which until the chick matures .
Buying Chickens Online
Meyer Hatchery , My Pet Chicken , and Cackle Hatchery are three on-line sources for chicks . Unlike many hatchery that involve you to buy as many as 15 to 25 chicks at a sentence , you may order as few as three stock skirt or , with the exclusion of Cackle Hatchery , five bantam chicks , and they do n’t all have to be the same breed . Note that My Pet Chicken is the only hatchery that offers wind up bantam .
Keep in mind that since these are resilient animals , there are n’t always enough hatched chicks to supply the need , which can be dissatisfactory . Be sure to pluck out a duad of relief breeds in case you ’re notified that your order ca n’t be filled as requested .
Be Sure You Really Want a Chicken
It ’s well-fixed to get swept up in the mo when you ’re reckon at a cute little chick or a beautiful adult wimp , but chicken are n’t the ideal positron emission tomography for everyone . Do your homework and make certain you’re able to cater right living place for your pet , and that your municipality allow backyard chickens . Once you ’ve done that , essay to visit someone that has pet chicken so you may see what they ’re really like , and then you may adjudicate if this is truly the right pet for you .
