The Ultimate Guide to Friendly Chicken Breeds for Families

Imagine a backyard teeming with happy hens, their gentle clucking a soothing soundtrack to your family's life. They scratch and peck, adding a touch of rural charm to your suburban existence, while providing a steady stream of fresh eggs. But before you rush out and buy the first chicks you see, consider this: not all chickens are created equal. Some are naturally docile and friendly, making them perfect additions to a family-friendly backyard. Others… well, let's just say they're better suited to experienced poultry keepers. Choosing the right breed is critical to ensuring a harmonious and enjoyable experience for everyone, especially children. This guide will take you through the best friendly chicken breeds for families, diving deep into their temperaments, egg-laying abilities, and unique quirks, so you can make the best choice for your needs.

Why Choose a Friendly Chicken Breed?

The temperament of your chickens significantly impacts the entire backyard experience. Aggressive or flighty birds can be stressful to manage and may even pose a threat to small children. Friendly breeds, on the other hand, are generally calm, curious, and enjoy interacting with humans. Here's why opting for a friendly breed is essential for families:

• Safety for Children: Gentle breeds are less likely to peck or scratch, making them safe for children to handle and interact with.
• Easier Handling: Routine tasks like health checks, coop cleaning, and egg collection become much simpler when your chickens are comfortable being handled.
• Reduced Stress: A calm flock contributes to a more peaceful backyard environment for both you and your neighbors.
• Educational Opportunities: Friendly chickens provide valuable learning opportunities for children, teaching them about animal care, responsibility, and the natural world.
• Enhanced Enjoyment: Ultimately, friendly chickens are simply more enjoyable to be around. Their amiable personalities can bring a lot of joy to your family.

Top 10 Friendliest Chicken Breeds for Families

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the breeds known for their amiable personalities and suitability for families. This list isn't exhaustive, but it represents some of the most popular and well-regarded options:

1. Orpington

The Orpington is often considered the quintessential family chicken. Originating in England, these large, fluffy birds are known for their docile and gentle nature. They come in a variety of colors, including buff (the most popular), black, blue, and lavender.

• Temperament: Extremely docile, friendly, and enjoys human interaction. They are known to be broody (inclined to sit on eggs and hatch chicks).
• Egg Production: Good egg layers, producing around 175-200 light brown eggs per year.
• Hardiness: Hardy in cold weather due to their dense feathering.
• Considerations: Their large size means they need a bit more space than some other breeds.

2. Cochin

Cochins are another excellent choice for families, prized for their incredibly gentle and calm personalities. These birds are known for their profuse, soft feathering, which covers even their legs and feet, giving them a distinctive fluffy appearance. They are available in a variety of colours.

• Temperament: Extremely docile and friendly, even with young children. They are often described as lap chickens due to their tendency to enjoy being held.
• Egg Production: Fair egg layers, producing around 160 brown eggs per year.
• Hardiness: Hardy in cold weather thanks to their dense feathering.
• Considerations: Their feathered feet require extra attention to keep clean and dry, to protect them from parasites.

3. Silkie

Silkies are truly unique and captivating chickens. With their fluffy, fur-like feathers (which lack the barbs of normal chicken feathers), walnut combs, and five toes on each foot (most chickens have four), they stand out from the crowd. They are also exceptionally gentle and friendly, making them ideal for families with young children.

• Temperament: Incredibly docile, gentle, and patient. They are known to be excellent mothers (very broody).
• Egg Production: Moderate egg layers, producing around 100-120 small, cream-colored eggs per year.
• Hardiness: Not particularly hardy in cold or wet weather due to their unique feathering. They need a dry, sheltered coop.
• Considerations: Their poor eye sight requires the chicken keeper to make sure food and water sources can be easily located.

4. Sussex

Sussex chickens are a heritage breed from England, known for their dual-purpose abilities (good for both meat and eggs) and their friendly, curious personalities. They come in a variety of colours.

• Temperament: Friendly, curious, and intelligent. They are active foragers but also enjoy human interaction.
• Egg Production: Excellent egg layers, producing around 250 large, light brown eggs per year.
• Hardiness: Hardy in both cold and hot weather.
• Considerations: They are very inquisitive, so a secured run is necessary to avoid predation

5. Plymouth Rock

The Plymouth Rock, particularly the Barred Rock variety, is a classic American breed known for its hardiness, egg-laying ability, and friendly demeanor. These chickens are readily available from hatcheries and are a great choice for beginner chicken keepers.

• Temperament: Docile, friendly, and easy to handle. They adapt well to confinement or free-ranging.
• Egg Production: Good egg layers, producing around 200 large, brown eggs per year.
• Hardiness: Very hardy in cold weather.
• Considerations: They can be a little assertive at the feeder.

6. Rhode Island Red

While sometimes described as more independent than some of the other breeds on this list, Rhode Island Reds are generally docile and tolerant, especially when raised from chicks with human interaction. They are also prolific egg layers, making them a practical choice for families.

• Temperament: Relatively docile, but can be assertive. They respond well to consistent handling and training.
• Egg Production: Excellent egg layers, producing around 250-300 brown eggs per year.
• Hardiness: Hardy in a variety of climates.
• Considerations: Providing ample space can help prevent any potential aggression within the flock.

7. Wyandotte

Wyandottes are beautiful birds with rounded bodies and intricately patterned plumage. They are known for their good egg-laying abilities and their relatively calm and docile temperaments. They are available in a wide variety of colours and patterns.

• Temperament: Docile and relatively calm. They are not as cuddly as some other breeds, but they are generally friendly and easy to manage.
• Egg Production: Good egg layers, producing around 200 large, brown eggs per year.
• Hardiness: Very hardy in cold weather thanks to their rose comb, which is less susceptible to frostbite than single combs.
• Considerations: They can become broody.

8. Easter Egger

Easter Eggers are not technically a breed, but rather a mix of breeds that carry a gene for blue or green egg production. This makes them a popular choice for families who want a colorful egg basket. Their temperaments can vary depending on their parentage, but most Easter Eggers are friendly and docile.

• Temperament: Varies depending on parentage, but generally friendly and docile.
• Egg Production: Good egg layers, producing around 150-200 eggs per year in a variety of colours.
• Hardiness: Generally hardy.
• Considerations: Because they are a mix, their appearance and temperament can be unpredictable.

9. Australorp

The Australorp is an Australian breed developed from the Orpington. They are known for their excellent egg-laying abilities and their gentle, docile personalities. They are typically black in colour.

• Temperament: Docile, friendly, and easy to handle.
• Egg Production: Excellent egg layers, producing around 250-300 light brown eggs per year.
• Hardiness: Hardy in a variety of climates.
• Considerations: Their dark plumage can make them more susceptible to heat stress in very hot climates.

10. Brahma

Brahmas are large, gentle giants known for their calm and docile personalities. They are heavily feathered, including their legs and feet, making them well-suited for cold climates. They are available in a variety of colours. Because they are so large, they are prone to foot injuries, so care should be taken to make sure that perches etc are not too high.

• Temperament: Extremely docile and gentle. They are known to be tolerant of children and other pets.
• Egg Production: Fair egg layers, producing around 150-200 light brown eggs per year.
• Hardiness: Very hardy in cold weather.
• Considerations: Their large size requires a correspondingly large coop and run. They are slow to mature.

Beyond Breed: Factors Influencing Chicken Temperament

While breed plays a significant role in determining a chicken's temperament, it's not the only factor. Here are some other important considerations:

1. Raising Chicks

How you raise your chicks from day one can have a profound impact on their temperament. Handling your chicks frequently and gently will help them become accustomed to human interaction and less fearful of people. Offer treats from your hand, talk to them in a calm voice, and make their early experiences positive.

2. Socialization

Chickens are social animals and thrive in a flock environment. Providing adequate space and opportunities for social interaction will help prevent aggression and promote a harmonious flock dynamic. Introduce new chickens to the flock gradually to minimize stress and pecking order disputes.

3. Space and Enrichment

Overcrowding can lead to stress and aggression. Provide your chickens with ample space in both the coop and the run, as well as opportunities for enrichment. Dust baths, perches, toys, and foraging opportunities will keep them entertained and prevent boredom-related behaviors.

4. Health and Nutrition

A healthy chicken is a happy chicken. Ensure your flock receives proper nutrition, clean water, and regular health checks. Parasites, injuries, and illnesses can all affect a chicken's temperament and make them more irritable.

5. Individual Personality

Just like people, each chicken has its unique personality. Some chickens are naturally more outgoing and friendly than others, regardless of breed. Be patient and understanding, and appreciate each chicken for its individual quirks.

Tips for Introducing Chickens to Your Family

Bringing chickens into your family's life can be a rewarding experience, but it's important to do it right. Here are some tips for a smooth introduction:

• Start with Chicks: Raising chicks from a young age allows them to bond with your family and become accustomed to human interaction.
• Supervise Interactions: Always supervise young children when they are interacting with the chickens. Teach them how to handle the chickens gently and respectfully.
• Establish Boundaries: Teach children not to chase or scare the chickens. Chickens should be allowed to approach on their own terms.
• Make it Fun: Involve your children in the care of the chickens. Let them help with feeding, watering, and egg collecting. This will foster a sense of responsibility and connection.
• Be Patient: It may take time for your chickens to adjust to their new environment and become comfortable with your family. Be patient and consistent with your interactions, and they will eventually come around.

Interested in learning more about the specifics of raising chickens? is a great resource.

Addressing Common Concerns

Before you take the plunge and bring home a flock of friendly chickens, it's natural to have some concerns. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

1. Will chickens destroy my garden?

Chickens can be destructive to gardens, especially when allowed to free-range unsupervised. They love to scratch and dig, and they will happily devour your prized plants. To protect your garden, consider fencing it off or providing a designated area for the chickens to forage.

2. Are chickens noisy?

Chickens do make noise, but it's generally not excessive. Hens will cluck and chatter throughout the day, and they may announce when they've laid an egg. Roosters, of course, crow, which can be a concern in urban areas. If noise is a major concern, consider keeping only hens and choosing breeds that are known for being relatively quiet.

3. Do chickens attract predators?

Chickens can attract predators such as foxes, raccoons, hawks, and dogs. To protect your flock, provide a secure coop and run that is predator-proof. Keep food and water inside the coop to avoid attracting unwanted visitors. Consider using a motion-activated light or camera to deter predators.

4. Are chickens messy?

Chickens can be messy, especially in confined spaces. They produce droppings, scratch up the ground, and can spread dust and feathers. To minimize the mess, clean the coop regularly, provide adequate ventilation, and consider using deep litter method to compost the manure.

5. Are chickens legal in my area?

Before getting chickens, check your local ordinances and homeowners association rules. Many municipalities have restrictions on the number of chickens you can keep, as well as regulations regarding coop placement and rooster ownership.

The Joys of Raising Friendly Chickens

Despite the potential challenges, raising friendly chickens can be an immensely rewarding experience. There's nothing quite like collecting fresh eggs from your own backyard, watching your children interact with the chickens, and knowing that you are providing a healthy and natural food source for your family. Friendly chicken breeds for families aren't just pets; they are members of the family, bringing joy, entertainment, and a connection to nature into your lives. So, do your research, choose the right breed for your needs, and prepare to enjoy the many benefits of backyard chickens!

For more information on keeping your chickens healthy check out this comprehensive guide.