A toddler’s preliminary expertise with chickens is usually probably the most memorable. To make sure that the teenager’s introduction to chickens is nice and enjoyable, contemplate these qualities when selecting one of the best first chickens for youths:
- They’re calm in disposition
- They’re pleasant with individuals
- The breed is suitable for small arms
- The chickens take pleasure in hugs
- They don’t simply startle
- They aren’t aggressive towards different chickens
- The breed does effectively in confinement
- The chickens are straightforward to take care of
- They’re straightforward to coach
The next 5 breeds share these traits, making them among the many perfect first chickens for youths.
Silkie
Silkies prime the record of finest first chickens for youths. They’re small, weighing 2 kilos or much less, and naturally pleasant. They lay small, kid-size eggs and are available quite a few plumage colours to select from.
Silkies don’t spook simply and don’t transfer quick sufficient to look scary. Their fur-like feathers and spherical form, the pom-pom on their head and feathers on their toes, plus their Charlie-Chaplin gait are certain to induce giggles.
These chickens are straightforward to deal with, not simply because they’re small, but additionally as a result of they merely take pleasure in being cuddled. Silkies are really the teddy bears of chickendom.
Easter Egger
Easter Eggers are one other enjoyable breed that delights youngsters. Their most important attraction is their eggs, which they lay in a variety of shell colours from pink, to brown, to blue, to inexperienced, and typically even white. On daily basis turns into an thrilling Easter egg hunt.
Easter Eggers are pleasant, light, and straightforward going. They arrive in each giant and bantam dimension. The massive hens weigh about 5½ kilos. For a smaller dimension hen that lays smaller eggs, bantam Easter Egger hens weigh solely 31 ounces.
The Easter Egger isn’t a standardized breed and isn’t chosen for any explicit feather colour or sample. Due to this fact each Easter Egger hen is exclusive.
Cochin
Cochins are one other kid-friendly breed with a candy temperament. Like Silkies, they’re sluggish shifting, have feathers on their toes, and are available many alternative colour varieties.
Bantam Cochin hens weigh solely 26 ounces, making them particularly appropriate as first chickens for youths. However for older youngsters, or any baby who goes for issues in a giant means, giant Cochins are equally calm and pleasant regardless of their dimension. Mature hens weigh 8½ kilos, however with their plentiful feathering they seem far more huge, making them wonderful first chickens for youths
Brahma
A Brahma hen weighs about one pound greater than a Cochin hen, however is simply as calm and docile. Brahmas don’t startle simply and usually are not aggressive towards different chickens within the flock.
If the massive dimension is just too intimidating for younger youngsters, go for bantam Brahmas, weighing solely about 2 kilos. Each giant and bantam Brahmas have feathered toes. Each are naturally inquisitive and intensely straightforward to coach.
Orpington
Rounding out our record of finest first chickens for youths is the Orpington, one other huge hen that comes additionally in a diminutive dimension. The massive hens weigh about 8 kilos; bantam hens weigh 36 ounces. As with Cochins, the free feathering of the Brahma makes it seem a lot greater than it really is, though Orpingtons lack the Cochins’ foot feathers.
Orpingtons are available just a few completely different colour varieties, of which buff is by far the most well-liked. Due to its golden colour and its gentleness round youngsters, the lovable Orpington is usually known as the golden retriever of chickendom.
All of those 5 breeds are excellent as first chickens for youths. Whether or not you choose one, or combine and match, you possibly can’t go flawed.
Useful Hyperlinks
10 Issues to Know Earlier than You Get Chickens
8 Hen Info that Shock First Time Homeowners
And that’s in the present day’s information from the Cackle Coop.
Gail Damerow has written quite a few poultry-keeping books, a lot of them out there within the Cackle Bookstore.
