Keeping backyard chickens is a great way for children to learn responsibility, without the obligation of daily walks or training that comes with indoor pets. The care and feeding of a small flock of hens is something even young children should be able to handle with some supervision.
For families who want to try their hand at chicken keeping, it’s important to carefully choose the right breed if you have children. Some chicken breeds are known to be a bit testy around people, so do some homework before make your final chicken choice. Below are a few of the best chicken breeds for kids.
1. Buff Orpington
If you’re grading hens’ disposition on a scale of 1-10 with “10” being the most docile, Buff Orpingtons would rate a 10. These golden girls are one of the best chicken breeds for young children. A large dual-purpose (good for eggs and meat) bird, Orpingtons love to be loved. When visitors come to see my hens, my Orpington will jump on their lap and sit. They love to be held and tolerate small childrens’ hugs. Since they are a large bird, they’ll need good stairs or a ramp up to their roost. They’ll lay through the winter if you supplement light, but they do occasionally go broody. But since they can go broody, they make good mothers for those who want to hatch chicks. While Orpingtons also come in blue and brown, the Buff Orpington, with their honey-golden feathers, are the most popular Orpington. They can easily be found in farm supply stores each spring.
2. Australorp
Image by Matthew Heinrichs from Pixabay.
One of the first breeds I owned was the Australorp. I couldn’t resist their glossy, black coat. I was even more in love when I experienced their affectionate disposition. I’ve never had a mean-tempered Australorp. They are calm, friendly, and great with human interaction. A dependable egg layer, their eggs are lighter brown than other light-feathered breeds, which makes them all the more interesting. I do have to keep a close eye on my Australorp in the hot summer. The breed doesn’t tolerate heat well. As long as they have a shady area to cool off and water closeby, they do fine all summer.
3. Easter Egger
Image by happy2be from Pixabay
Children love the multi-colored eggs of the Easter Egger, with variations from blue to green, and even pink or yellow. This American-bred bird is actually not a recognized breed, but a mixed breed with a blue-egg gene. They possess a nice disposition, though sometimes not as docile as other breeds listed; however, they are usually friendly around children. They tolerate heat and cold temps, and are good layers, averaging 4-5 extra-large, rainbow-colored eggs per week.
4. Sussex
Image by Elsemargriet from Pixabay
The gentle disposition of the Sussex breed makes them popular with new chicken keepers. They are so laid back, they have a tendency to be bullied if housed with more aggressive birds. This breed does well in cold climates, but also will thrive in warmer climates, as long as they have a shady spot to lounge. They typically lay 4-5 large brown eggs per week, and will lay through the winter when other breeds won’t. For small children who hope to hold and pet their chicken, the Sussex makes a great choice.
5. Welsummer
Image from Cackle Hatchery.
This docile breed is a great first chicken for children. They are very cold hardy, so do well in locations where winter temps fall to sub-zero, but also tolerate warmer temps. While they can occasionally be broody, they are very good egg layers. The breed originated in Holland, and is much more popular in the UK than the US, but are gaining in popularity because of their superior egg-laying and sweet, friendly disposition. Prince Charles has kept a flock of Welsummers for years. You can easily find them in hatcheries. The eggs are a rich, dark brown and often sport speckles.
Final Thoughts
Before you make your final choice, consider exactly how you intend to use your chickens. Will you also want chickens for meat? Then you’ll want a dual-purpose breed. Do you only want good egg layers? Other considerations are your climate and space for foraging.
While this list is a good guideline, every individual chicken has its own personality, just like your children. I’ve always kept Rhode Island Reds, who are known to be a bit aggressive. However in my experience, while a few have been pecky and mean, my very favorite bird is my Rhode Island hen, Mamie, a docile, loving girl. You just never know. Handling them as chicks will get them used to human touch, and make it much more likely they’ll mature into docile, loving hens.
For families who want to try their hand at chicken keeping, it’s important to carefully choose the right breed if you have children. Some chicken breeds are known to be a bit testy around people, so do some homework before make your final chicken choice. Below are a few of the best chicken breeds for kids.
1. Buff Orpington
If you’re grading hens’ disposition on a scale of 1-10 with “10” being the most docile, Buff Orpingtons would rate a 10. These golden girls are one of the best chicken breeds for young children. A large dual-purpose (good for eggs and meat) bird, Orpingtons love to be loved. When visitors come to see my hens, my Orpington will jump on their lap and sit. They love to be held and tolerate small childrens’ hugs. Since they are a large bird, they’ll need good stairs or a ramp up to their roost. They’ll lay through the winter if you supplement light, but they do occasionally go broody. But since they can go broody, they make good mothers for those who want to hatch chicks. While Orpingtons also come in blue and brown, the Buff Orpington, with their honey-golden feathers, are the most popular Orpington. They can easily be found in farm supply stores each spring.
2. Australorp
Image by Matthew Heinrichs from Pixabay.
One of the first breeds I owned was the Australorp. I couldn’t resist their glossy, black coat. I was even more in love when I experienced their affectionate disposition. I’ve never had a mean-tempered Australorp. They are calm, friendly, and great with human interaction. A dependable egg layer, their eggs are lighter brown than other light-feathered breeds, which makes them all the more interesting. I do have to keep a close eye on my Australorp in the hot summer. The breed doesn’t tolerate heat well. As long as they have a shady area to cool off and water closeby, they do fine all summer.
3. Easter Egger
Image by happy2be from Pixabay
Children love the multi-colored eggs of the Easter Egger, with variations from blue to green, and even pink or yellow. This American-bred bird is actually not a recognized breed, but a mixed breed with a blue-egg gene. They possess a nice disposition, though sometimes not as docile as other breeds listed; however, they are usually friendly around children. They tolerate heat and cold temps, and are good layers, averaging 4-5 extra-large, rainbow-colored eggs per week.
4. Sussex
Image by Elsemargriet from Pixabay
The gentle disposition of the Sussex breed makes them popular with new chicken keepers. They are so laid back, they have a tendency to be bullied if housed with more aggressive birds. This breed does well in cold climates, but also will thrive in warmer climates, as long as they have a shady spot to lounge. They typically lay 4-5 large brown eggs per week, and will lay through the winter when other breeds won’t. For small children who hope to hold and pet their chicken, the Sussex makes a great choice.
5. Welsummer
Image from Cackle Hatchery.
This docile breed is a great first chicken for children. They are very cold hardy, so do well in locations where winter temps fall to sub-zero, but also tolerate warmer temps. While they can occasionally be broody, they are very good egg layers. The breed originated in Holland, and is much more popular in the UK than the US, but are gaining in popularity because of their superior egg-laying and sweet, friendly disposition. Prince Charles has kept a flock of Welsummers for years. You can easily find them in hatcheries. The eggs are a rich, dark brown and often sport speckles.
Final Thoughts
Before you make your final choice, consider exactly how you intend to use your chickens. Will you also want chickens for meat? Then you’ll want a dual-purpose breed. Do you only want good egg layers? Other considerations are your climate and space for foraging.
While this list is a good guideline, every individual chicken has its own personality, just like your children. I’ve always kept Rhode Island Reds, who are known to be a bit aggressive. However in my experience, while a few have been pecky and mean, my very favorite bird is my Rhode Island hen, Mamie, a docile, loving girl. You just never know. Handling them as chicks will get them used to human touch, and make it much more likely they’ll mature into docile, loving hens.
