Chickens have become increasingly popular as backyard pets, providing both a source of eggs and a lovable animal to care for. When choosing chickens to raise, it is important to consider their temperament and personality. After all, a friendly chicken will be easier to handle, more fun to be around, and less likely to cause any issues.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 friendliest chicken breeds. We’ll go over each breed’s temperament and any unique characteristics they possess. We’ll also go over where you can acquire each breed towards the end of the article.
Whether you’re a seasoned chicken owner or new to the world of backyard poultry, this article will provide you with the information you need to choose the perfect feathered friends for your backyard flock.
1. Silkies
Silkies are a unique breed of chicken that are known for their fluffy, silk-like feathers and friendly demeanor. They originated in China and were first documented in the West in the 13th century. Silkies are a bantam breed, meaning they are smaller in size than standard chickens.
Silkies are known for being incredibly docile and affectionate, making them a popular choice for families with children.
In terms of egg production, Silkies are not the most prolific layers, but they do lay small, cream-colored eggs. However, many people choose to keep Silkies purely as pets due to their adorable appearance and lovable personalities.
2. Buff Orpingtons
Buff Orpingtons are a popular breed of chicken that are known for their calm and friendly temperament. They were first bred in England in the late 1800s and quickly gained popularity due to their docile nature and excellent egg-laying abilities.
Buff Orpingtons are a larger breed of chicken, with fluffy, golden feathers and a gentle disposition that makes them a popular choice for families with children.
In terms of egg production, Buff Orpingtons are known for laying large, brown eggs and are considered to be a reliable and consistent layer. Overall, Buff Orpingtons are a great choice for those looking for a friendly and affectionate chicken breed that is also a productive layer.
I’ve raised quite a few different breeds and I’m not sure any breed is friendlier than the Buff Orpington. Even when I had them in the coop, I could just walk over and pick them up without them causing a fuss.
Buff Orpingtons are also known to be quite broody, check out my article on Buff Orpingtons to learn more!
3. Sussex
Sussex chickens are a breed of chicken that originated in Sussex, England. They are known for their friendly and docile temperament, making them an excellent choice for backyard flocks.
Sussex chickens come in a variety of colors, including red, speckled, and white, and are medium-sized birds with plump bodies and short legs. They are also known for their excellent egg-laying abilities, with hens laying large, brown eggs consistently throughout the year.
In addition to their friendly demeanor and excellent egg production, Sussex chickens are great foragers and can adapt to different climates, making them a versatile choice for backyard chicken keepers.
Due to their significant egg-laying capabilities, the Sussex made my 15 best egg-laying chicken breeds article! To see what other breeds made the list, check out that article here: The 15 Best Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds.
4. Rhode Island Red
Rhode Island Reds are a breed of chicken that originated in the United States in the late 1800s. They are a hardy, dual-purpose breed, meaning they are both good egg layers and can also be used for meat production.
Rhode Island Reds are known for their docile and friendly temperament, making them an excellent choice for backyard flocks. They are medium-sized birds with dark red feathers and are able to adapt well to a variety of climates.
In terms of egg production, Rhode Island Reds are considered to be one of the most prolific layers, with hens laying large, brown eggs consistently throughout the year. Overall, Rhode Island Reds are a great choice for those looking for a friendly and productive breed of chicken that is also hardy and easy to care for.
Rhode Island Reds are such a great winter breed that I consider them one of the best cool-climate chicken breeds. Check out my guide on Rhode Island Reds and their ability to thrive in cold weather.
5. Wyandotte
Wyandottes are a breed of chicken that originated in the United States in the 1870s. They are a medium-sized, dual-purpose breed known for their friendly and docile temperament.
Wyandottes come in a variety of colors, including silver, gold, blue, and black, and have a distinctive pattern of feathers that gives them a laced appearance. They are a hardy breed that is able to adapt well to different climates and are known for their ability to lay large, brown eggs consistently throughout the year.
When I did the poll in my group, I had one individual who was super happy with how friendly her Wyandotte was, see for yourself below!
In addition to being excellent layers, Wyandottes are also good for meat production and are often used in small-scale farming operations. Overall, Wyandottes are a great choice for those looking for a friendly and versatile breed of chicken that is both easy to care for and productive.
6. Cochin
Cochins, also known as Cochin Bantams, are a breed of chicken that originated in China and were introduced to the West in the mid-1800s. They are a large, fluffy breed with a docile and friendly temperament, making them a popular choice for backyard flocks.
Cochins come in a variety of colors, including black, blue, buff, and white, and are known for their heavily feathered feet and legs. Although not known for being prolific layers, Cochins are excellent brooders and make good mothers, often hatching and raising chicks from other breeds.
In addition to their friendly demeanor, Cochins are known for their ornamental value and are often kept as show birds. Overall, Cochins are a great choice for those looking for a friendly and ornamental breed of chicken that is also a good brooder and mother.
7. Australorp
Australorps are a breed of chicken that originated in Australia in the late 1800s. They are a large, dual-purpose breed known for their docile and friendly temperament, making them a popular choice for backyard flocks.
Australorps are typically black in color with shiny feathers and a distinctively upright posture. They are also excellent egg layers, with hens laying large, brown eggs consistently throughout the year. In fact, Australorps hold the world record for egg-laying, with one hen laying over 364 eggs in 365 days!
In addition to their friendly demeanor and excellent egg production, Australorps are also hardy and adaptable, making them well-suited for a variety of climates. Overall, Australorps are a great choice for those looking for a friendly and productive breed of chicken that is also hardy and easy to care for.
If you’re interested in learning more about Australorps, check out my Australorp Guide Article!
8. Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rocks are a breed of chicken that originated in the United States in the mid-1800s. They are a large, dual-purpose breed known for their friendly and docile temperament, making them a popular choice for backyard flocks.
Plymouth Rocks come in a variety of colors, including barred, white, buff, and blue, and are medium-sized birds with plump bodies and short legs. They are also good egg layers, with hens consistently laying large, brown eggs throughout the year. In addition to their friendly demeanor and good egg production, Plymouth Rocks are hardy and adaptable, making them well-suited for a variety of climates.
They are also easy to care for and make excellent pets, with many owners reporting that their Plymouth Rocks enjoy being held and cuddled – and when done so people say they even purr! Overall, Plymouth Rocks are a great choice for those looking for a friendly and productive breed of chicken that is also easy to care for.
I also consider Plymouth Rocks to be one of the great winter breeds. Check out my article on Plymouth Rocks and their ability to thrive in cold weather!
9. Brahma
Brahmas are a breed of chicken that originated in the United States in the mid-1800s and quickly became a popular breed due to their large size, friendly temperament, and good meat production.
Brahmas are a large, heavy breed with a distinctive appearance, characterized by their feathered feet and legs, and a large, upright comb. They come in a variety of colors, including light, dark, and buff, and are known for their docile and friendly nature. Brahmas are not the most prolific layers, but they are known for their large, brown eggs, which are highly prized by many owners.
In addition to their friendly temperament and good meat production, Brahmas are also hardy and adaptable, making them well-suited for a variety of climates. Overall, Brahmas are a great choice for those looking for a friendly and productive breed of chicken that is also hardy and easy to care for.
Brahmas also made the list of the best 10 chicken breeds for cold climates. If you’d like to know more about which other breeds made the list, check out the 10 Best Chicken Breeds for Cold Climates article!
10. Jersey Giant
Jersey Giants are a breed of chicken that originated in the United States in the late 1800s in Burlington County, New Jersey (which is how they got their names!). They are a large, dual-purpose breed known for their friendly and docile temperament. Jersey Giants are one of the largest breeds of chicken, with roosters weighing up to 13 pounds and hens weighing up to 10 pounds.
They come in only one color, black, and are known for their shiny feathers and upright posture. Jersey Giants are not the most prolific layers, but they are good egg producers, with hens laying large, brown eggs consistently throughout the year.
In addition to their friendly demeanor and good egg production, Jersey Giants are also hardy and adaptable, making them well-suited for a variety of climates. They are also easy to care for and make excellent pets, with many owners reporting that their Jersey Giants are gentle and enjoy being handled. Overall, Jersey Giants are a great choice for those looking for a friendly and productive breed of chicken that is also a unique and impressive addition to their backyard flock.
What People Think: Friendliest Chicken Breeds!
I’m a part of a group of over 26 thousand members who’ve owned all kinds of chickens, and I took a poll on which of these ten chicken breeds are the friendliest! Below are the results!
The Buff Orpingtons and Rhode Island Reds seemed to have stolen the show in this poll. The Silkie and Plymouth Rock also had a great following! I noticed the people who voted on Silkie were very passionate about how much they love their little chickens!
There was one chicken that was mentioned in the comments on the poll that wasn’t on my top ten list and that was the easter egger chicken. Although they didn’t make this top ten list, maybe they can still make yours if you’d like to give them a try!!
Where to Get These Chickens Breeds
On average, the best place to get these chicken breeds is through an online hatchery such as Cackle or Hoovers. I’m posting the links below, so you can see how much each breed currently costs.
| Hatchery | Minimum Quantity | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cackle | 3 | Must order at least 15 birds to avoid a $20 small order fee |
| Hoovers | 5 | Must order 15 birds to ship (can mix and match breeds) |
I would like to clarify on the table above.
For Cackle you have to buy 3 chickens to be able to ship, but if you don’t buy at least 15 they will charge you an additional $20 fee.
For Hoovers, you must order 5 chickens, but you have to buy at least 15 chickens for them to ship. So, you could buy 5 Australorps, 5 Silkies, and 5 Brahmas and then you can have your birds shipped.
Buying Chickens Locally
Generally, you can buy chickens locally but you’re at the store’s mercy on what breeds they have at the time. I went to my local Tractor Supply, and they had 4 breeds available at the time. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any of these breeds in stock and weren’t sure they were going to get any this year.
The store representative instructed me to go online to their website and buy them there. Their website just redirected me to Hoovers Hatchery!
If you can find these breeds locally, I recommend you take advantage of the opportunity and acquire as many as you need, as purchasing them online could result in a minimum of $25 in shipping fees.
Brief Overview
While all of these chicken breeds are considered friendly, the table below will give you some additional information to consider on each breed.
| Breed | Origin | Size | Egg Color | Egg Production | Hatchery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silkies | China | Bantam (1-2 lbs) | Cream | Low | Cackle/Hoovers |
| Buff Orpingtons | England | Medium – Large | Brown | Medium | Cackle/Hoovers |
| Sussex | Sussex, England | Medium | Brown | High | Cackle/Hoovers |
| Rhode Island Red | United States | Medium | Brown | High | Cackle/Hoovers |
| Wyandotte | United States | Medium | Brown | Medium | Cackle/Hoovers |
| Cochin | China | Bantam | Brown | Medium | Cackle/Hoovers |
| Australorp | Australia | Medium – Large | Brown | High | Cackle/Hoovers |
| Plymouth Rock | United States | Medium – Large | Brown | High | Cackle/Hoovers |
| Brahma | United States | Large | Brown | Medium | Cackle/Hoovers |
| Jersey Giant | United States | Large | Brown | Medium | Cackle/Hoovers |
This article was originally published on farmapt.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.