In recent years, chickens have become increasingly popular as pets. Furthermore, they make wonderful companions as well as a source of fresh eggs. It should be noted, however, that not all chicken breeds are known for their friendliness. Here are the top 10 friendliest chicken breeds to consider if you’re looking for a feathery friend that’s gentle and pleasant.
Top 10 Friendliest Chicken Breeds
Silkies
Silkies are known for their friendly nature. This is one of the best chicken breeds to keep as pets or companions. The chickens are extremely docile, sweet, and easygoing. As well as being great with children, silkies love to be cuddled and carried around. Due to their beautiful, fluffy plumage, these breeds are also popular.
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A pom-pom of feathers on top of their heads gives them a tousled but adorable appearance. They come in various feather colors. Additionally, their gentle nature often makes them the target of bullies from more aggressive breeds. It is best to keep them with other Silkies or breeds with a similar temperament to prevent this from happening.
Orpingtons
An Orpington is a lovely, easygoing bird. In addition to their attractive appearance, they are known for their friendly demeanor. They love their keepers’ attention and are very friendly. Their friendly nature makes them popular as pets rather than just egg layers. As well as being handled and cuddled, they are docile chickens who enjoy their keepers’ company. For this reason, they are ideal for families with children or people looking for pet chickens.
Cochin
Chickens from the Cochin breed are known for their friendly temperaments. They are known for their gentle and calm temperament, ideal for backyard enthusiasts and families with small children. Chickens of the Cochin breed are naturally docile and enjoy human interaction, which makes them easier to handle and train.
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Due to their sociable nature, Cochin chickens are regarded as the friendliest. Humans and other animals enjoy their company as they are highly sociable birds. Known for their patience and tolerance, Cochin chickens are good for households with small children or pets. In addition to being friendly and gentle, they also pose less risk of injury or accidents due to their friendly and gentle demeanor.
Speckled Sussex
The calm demeanor of Speckled Sussex chickens is one of the reasons they are considered friendly. Chickens of the Speckled Sussex breed are known for their easygoing and relaxed nature, unlike other chicken breeds that tend to be skittish and easily frightened. They are generally gentle and tolerant, making them great companions for children and other animals.
They are also sociable, which makes them stand out from other chicken breeds. Humans and other animals enjoy the company of these chickens because they are highly social creatures. Known for being curious and interactive, they enjoy being cuddled and held. Despite their social nature, they are easy to handle and train, which makes them a great choice for new chicken owners.
Rhode Island Red
One of the most friendly chicken breeds is the Rhode Island Red. It’s one of the easiest chickens to keep, super gentle, comfortable to be held, and great with children. Rhode Island Reds are generally people lovers, comfortable with human contact, and friendly with other flock members. Last but not least, Reds are cold and hardy, laying eggs all year round.
Wyandotte
There are a lot of beginners who choose Wyandotte. Since they are one of the most common chicken breeds on this list, many poultry enthusiasts can provide detailed instructions if you encounter any problems. You are unlikely to encounter any problems with this breed, however. These chickens are well known for their docility, gentleness, and calmness. They won’t make things difficult for you. If you have any children, then they won’t pose any threat to them. Also, if you plan to add other breeds to your flock later, your Wyandottes won’t bother them.
Australorp
Australorps are like little ladies: beautiful, elegant, and graceful. Furthermore, they have a lady-like appearance, which fits well with their calm and quiet nature. Their lovely disposition is not all they have to offer. The Australorp is a dual-purpose bird. As well as providing you with quality meat, they could also provide you with a large number of eggs. Each year, they could produce around 250 eggs.
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Easter Eggers
The Easter Egger breed is known for its blue eggs. Despite this, they are also one of the friendliest chicken breeds. A sweet and gentle temperament characterizes them. These chickens are very docile in return for the attention and affection they receive from their keepers. You may find they follow you around the yard if you keep them around kids. They form strong bonds with their keepers. There is no breed standard for Easter Eggers; they come in a rainbow of colors. The chickens can be black, blue, white, or rust in color. They will spend most of their time foraging and free-ranging.
Jersey Giants
The Jersey Giant is our next friendly chicken. They are not only some of the friendliest chickens but also some of the largest. It is estimated that Jersey Giants can weigh up to 7.5 kilograms and are easily one of the biggest chickens in the world. Even though they are huge, they are friendly and not aggressive. They are extremely friendly and docile, making them ideal for children. Due to their large size, other chickens rarely initiate anything with them, even though they are more submissive.
Faverolles
Due to their sweet and sometimes goofy personalities, they are a friendly breed. Known as the clowns of the chicken world, Faverolles will entertain you with their antics. Their favorite activities are sitting on their keepers’ laps, getting attention, and cuddling with them.
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Additionally, they are very easy to handle, making them a great choice for families with young children. Hens and roosters look quite different. It is common for hens to be a salmon or light brown color, with darker patches on their heads, tails, and wings. Roosters have black feathers on their breasts and tails.
Conclusion
A chicken breed’s friendliness is determined by temperament, ease of handling, and sociability. Known for their friendly nature, these top 10 chicken breeds make great companion animals for those looking for a feathery friend.
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