Best breed for kids?

[kristeen]

Hi all, we like to start keeping chickens and are looking for some advice on best breeds. They mostly need to be child-friendly / have some pet-potential (we've got a 7yr old child) but a few eggs here and there wouldn't go amiss either . I've heard Orpingtons or Plymouth Rocks could be suitable?! Any comments and info as to where to best get them from (were thinking of 3 pullets to start with)? Thanks heaps!

[wolga]

Hi Kristeen,
Any heavy breed would be suitable. Orpingtons are lovely birds and good layers too.
Pekin Bantams are a big favourite with kids too. Just make sure you buy them young and spend
a bit of time with them. Chooks can get very tame and follow you everywhere once they trust you.

[sewren]

Hi kristeen and welcome to the forum! I'm with wolga on the pekins or the orpingtons. Orpingtons are normally very gentle birds, and also we have an Australorp who is a lovely gentle giant and our welsummer is very friendly and calm too (not sure if that is just her or if that's a breed trait). The pekins come in great variety of colours and are smaller and cute (but remember the eggs will be smaller too, if that's something that worries you). Spending time with your chooks when they are young definitely goes a long way in buiding a positive relationship, but chickens are pretty clever so even older birds can learn trust. In general the so-called 'heavy breeds' tend to be calmer and more docile, while 'light breeds' are more flighty so probably a bit less suitable.