what breed to get?

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hi all, i am wanting to get some chickens.... The thing is there are so many breeds i dont know were to start! im wanting somthing nice and tame that my son can play about with and that mat hatch a few eggs out in spring/summer. any ideas of what breed i should get???
thanx
 
How about some Pekins? They are small and gentle enough to be good with kids, they get tame easily ,hardy,dont eat much and dont take up much room. Good broodies too!-I think they are ideal to start with especially if room is limited. Ros
 
Hi,
personally,I'd decide first if you want large fowl or bantams.A lot of the larger fowl are available in smaller (bantamised)versions.
Pekins are always recomended as an easy,cute bird to start with that can become very tame.My pair were not to start with but have improved.
About a month ago I bought 3 Sablepoot pullets from Sue(Victoria's Poultry) and they have proved to be far better,as well as better layers.
They are curious about people and like to join in whatever you are doing.Recently,at a large poultry show the only hens that approached me in their cages to be fussed were the Sablepoots.They were pleased to see me and chatter to you constantly.
I think though that all breeds of hens have the ability to be tame,some just take longer than others,my pekins are tame,just don't want to handled a lot,my ex-batts are also very tame,but prefer not to be handled a lot.My rhode island red and sablepoots love to sit on my knee and be stroked and fussed.
 
I'd agree with Lydia- decide whether you want large fowl or bantams first and go from there- I find the pekins very sociable, but I also have cream legbars which are very friendly - and they are described as quite flighty-

I think the temperment does depend on how they are treated as well as the breed itself- much like dogs! One other thing to consider- it might not be a great idea to go for a large breed- ie orpingtons if your son is wanting to pick them up - as he could hurt the chicken (or himself!) trying!

Nicky
 
My suggestion would be to find out what is available in your area then choose between them.

I began with my first little flock last year & I took over 4 mature chooks from someone else so I didn't choose the breed. Then I wanted a couple more ( :lol: ) & I found it really difficult to find a breeder close enough to where I live that a)had some POL available & b) were a reasonable price.
So you may find that those sort of things govern what is available to choose from.

Like the others have said bantums are lovely, I had a pair of bantums in the begining & the hen became so friendly even though she hadn't been handled very much before. I think she was a golden partridge Peking, so sweet.

A friend has a RIR x with something else ( :D ) & she has 3 young kids who play with her, she's very friendly!
 
There's a lot in the up-bringing as well as the breed characteristics too. Birds that are handled regularly are far more tame.

In an ideal world you would get sexed chicks then could handle them lots and tame them more than you'd get from a breeder. The reality is you can't acurately sex chicks unless you have an autosexing breed like Cream Legbars or Rhodbars etc
 
Tim said:
There's a lot in the up-bringing as well as the breed characteristics too. Birds that are handled regularly are far more tame.

In an ideal world you would get sexed chicks then could handle them lots and tame them more than you'd get from a breeder. The reality is you can't acurately sex chicks unless you have an autosexing breed like Cream Legbars or Rhodbars etc
Click to expand...

... or get them from someone on this forum- we all seem to have mollycoddled chickens who live the life of riley :lol:
 
It is definite that regular routine and handling help a lot.My sis bought a lf black orpington hen that was not tame,it always ran away and hid at the sight of people(must have had a nasty experience at some point before)and was 1yr old when my sister bought her.
With a bit of effort she became my sister's tamest hen,coming in for cuddles and treats etc.
We do understand about being spoilt for choice with the different breeds etc,there is a lot of choice.
 
I don't know where you live,but how about going to the Federation show in December.It is a very large poultry show,held at Bingley Hall in Stafford.You would have the chance to walk round,see the different breeds,chat to breed club members/secretaries and find out about the different breeds you are interested in.
If possible,make up a list of a few breeds and specifically ask about those.
 
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