[rosie14]

  Hi all, we are planning to get more hens in the spring time and I am keen to either hatch in my dads incubator or buy young chicks to rear as I have the light etc. OR * possibly hatch IF our Orpie goes broody and hope we do better than last time!!

Anyway my hubby isn't keen on the whole thing after the hassle of the hen (my hassle NOT HIS!) as we had the brooder out on the lawn-no shed or garage with light you see and the expense of sourcing and buying 3 expensive £10 each chicks, 2 of whom died in days when ours didn't hatch out grrrrr. So if he really said no way and we went down the POL route what breeds would you say are great pet chickens that do lay OK too. We have had several breeds and our favourite by far is the Orpington, they follow us in the garden and let the children pet them I adore them. What other friendly breeds would you recommend? Just because we'd like a bit of a variety really  :happy:

[JaK]

I love my orpingtons and brahmas as they are friendly and great with the children but they wont be great layers.
My Salmon Faverolles is the most friendly and talkative little thing, funny looking too.  Faverolles lay a good amount of eggs and often keep laying through winter.

[kegs]

I agree with Salmon Faverolle.   :blink:

[Lewjam]

Ligght sussex for me.

Big heavy breed, vrey greedy and thus very friendly!  Loves to pearch on me while im trying to dig!

Very good layers too

[Aidy]

I am a great fan of the blackrocks, nice friendly docile bird, good immune system and good layers.

[evie2]

Our Speckldy and Ambers are very friendly and good layers.  Our Light Sussex isn't at all friendly but she did make a great broody and is a great layer with only a break in laying when she had chicks to look after.  All are still laying.

For friendliness though our LM Sabelpoots come tops, their eggs are small, fantastic for salads and apart from a few weeks break recently they've been laying all year

[tstainesmoore]

Any hrbrid or commercial layer will provide you with eggs and are relativly docile. if purebreeds is what you are looking for then light sussex or silkies but they are not great layers, but they are good broodys .

[Surferchick]

I have to agree too,  our Salmon Faverolle are the most docile and friendly and are still laying now.

We have several breeds Welsummer, cream legbars, marans, bluebells, giant jersey, dominque and a good few hybrids but the faverolles are the friendliest by far.

 

[hillfooter]

Light or Buff Sussex are great layers and freindly.  No flock should be without a few Sussex.
HF

[Helenaj]

Any Faverolle as they are a quiet breed, but you will have to consider what hens you buy in the future as they can be easily bullied.
Other friendly birds are Bluebelles - a hybrid. They tend to be very inquisitive and are completely bonkers! My oldest hen was a Bluebelle (sadly passed away last Winter due to old age) and she was lovely - liked being picked up and would perch on my arm and have a stroll around.

[nic_28]

My big softies my Orpington and Light Sussex are both very very friendly girls, quiet when picked up (easy to catch) and very good around my children , all of my hens are friendly but these two breeds stand out for me.   :blink:

[sneezer]

My most friendly girl is a speckledy she loves jumping on your back or shoulder if she can, she chats loads and doesn't mind being cuddled!

[nic_28]

Any Faverolle as they are a quiet breed, but you will have to consider what hens you buy in the future as they can be easily bullied.
Other friendly birds are Bluebelles - a hybrid. They tend to be very inquisitive and are completely bonkers! My oldest hen was a Bluebelle (sadly passed away last Winter due to old age) and she was lovely - liked being picked up and would perch on my arm and have a stroll around.

aww that sounds just like my Bluebell! She is the smallest of my lot and is definately the boss!She has the character of a dog or friendly cat, VERY inquisative and alwats first to run to me in the mornings   she has a crooked toe . bless. I lover her so much. My kids named her "Big Momma" ;P they're 3 and 2 year olds .

[Tony H]

we have all sorts mixed i find that bluebells are very freindly 

[Lindeggs]

Do you have access to Barred Plymouth Rocks?  Mine are definitely the friendliest of my bunch (even more than the Light Sussex).  One of my BPRs goes up to visitors and tugs on their trouser legs to ask for treats. 

Different strains of the same breed, and obviously different upbringings, can affect their temperament.  I would suggest you start by visiting a few breeders and asking what they have available, and what breeds they recommend for friendliness. 

If at all possible ask if you can meet the parent birds.  Birds in breeders' pens won't necessarily be 'pets' who like to be handled, but look for calm, docile, curious birds and there is a high chance their offspring will be easy to train as petting birds.