Brahma or Orpington as a lap chicken?

[happymom99]

I know each chicken has its own personality but, in general, do you think a brahma or orpington would be a better choice for my son if he is hoping for a lap chicken? Is one a better choice than the other. I am thinking of getting a barred rock, and then one of these. We are limited on the number of chickens we can have so I am trying to only get two chicks.

Thanks,
CJ
Blue Andalusian, Austrolorp, SL Cochin, EE, Welsumer

 

[Judy]

I'd go with the Brahma, although I've never had one. I have had orps, though. They were not mean or aggressive, but they were also not at all people friendly, and I did try to tame some of them. Now, these were hatchery birds. If you're lucky enough to have access to good breeder birds, I'd bet that either could be tamed well.

 

[Illia]

Brahma.


Whether it be hatchery or non-hatchery stock, they've always been mellow sweethearts (except a couple hatchery girls that I honestly think were part Plymouth Rock) My current big Blue Partridge girl lets me pick her up all the time, no complaints, and lets me inspect her, pet her, show her off, etc.




Orpingtons can vary, especially hatchery stock. I've known some sweeties, I've known some unfriendlies.


It also seriously depends on how much you handle them too but the above pictured girl? She was handled as an only-chick of the hatch, got REALLY attached to me, and I mean screamingly-really, but once she was old enough to not need a brooder anymore she joined the rest of the flock, wasn't handled much for months on end, then lately with my increasing time to spend with her again, she's still the same sweetheart. Which, usually if that happens with other breeds they forget you and shy away.

 

[Jeffross1968]

Could be how they are raised. We have both an orp, and a light brahma, and they both love hopping up on our laps when we sit outside. The orp likes to come up and do a lot of scratching my jeans and pecking on our shirts (especially if we're wearing some kind of fleece or sweatshirt). But the brahma will literally hop up and squat for an hour or more if you let it.

 

[m.kitchengirl]

My Sliver Laced Wyandotte is the friendliest chicken in my yard. She knocks on the kitchen door & tries to come in. She also likes to follow me all over the yard, sit with me out there... I haven't had Brahmas, but my Buff Orpington is not nearly as friendly as my SLW, and they were raised the same way.

 

[Jeffross1968]

Yeah, my SLW is also really friendly. If I'm sitting outside for a while on a lawn chair, and cross my legs, you can almost bet that my brahma and slw will use the leg as a roost for a while. Thing about my slw, is that she's not big on being touched while she's up there, LOL. The brahma lets me pet her the whole time.

 

[Mavrik]

I found EE's have the highest chance of becoming a lap chicken. I've had one BO that wanted to be held everytime I went outside and other BO's that wanted nothing to do with me. I have one BR that wants to be held all the time while the other BR doesn't. Holding chicks everyday helps bond a lap chicken, but no guarantee, it is a personality thing. <BR><BR>


Just wanted to add: What I classify as a lap chicken is one that will jump in your lap. Most chickens will tolerate being held.