A toddler’s preliminary expertise with chickens is commonly essentially the most memorable. To make sure that the teenager’s introduction to chickens is nice and enjoyable, think about 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 acceptable for small palms
- The chickens get pleasure from hugs
- They don’t simply startle
- They don’t seem to be aggressive towards different chickens
- The breed does effectively in confinement
- The chickens are simple to look after
- They’re simple to coach
The next 5 breeds share these traits, making them among the many best first chickens for youths.
Silkie
Silkies high the checklist of greatest 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 in quite a few plumage colours to select from.
Silkies don’t spook simply and don’t transfer quick sufficient to seem scary. Their fur-like feathers and spherical form, the pom-pom on their head and feathers on their ft, plus their Charlie-Chaplin gait are positive to induce giggles.
These chickens are simple to deal with, not simply because they’re small, but in addition as a result of they merely get pleasure from being cuddled. Silkies are really the teddy bears of chickendom.
Easter Egger
Easter Eggers are one other enjoyable breed that delights children. Their primary 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. Every single day turns into an thrilling Easter egg hunt.
Easter Eggers are pleasant, light, and straightforward going. They arrive in each giant and bantam measurement. The massive hens weigh about 5½ kilos. For a smaller measurement 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 coloration or sample. Subsequently each Easter Egger hen is exclusive.
Cochin
Cochins are one other kid-friendly breed with a candy temperament. Like Silkies, they’re sluggish transferring, have feathers on their ft, and are available in many various coloration varieties.
Bantam Cochin hens weigh solely 26 ounces, making them particularly appropriate as first chickens for youths. However for older children, or any youngster who goes for issues in an enormous method, giant Cochins are equally calm and pleasant regardless of their measurement. Mature hens weigh 8½ kilos, however with their considerable feathering they seem rather 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 are usually not aggressive towards different chickens within the flock.
If the big measurement is just too intimidating for younger kids, go for bantam Brahmas, weighing solely about 2 kilos. Each giant and bantam Brahmas have feathered ft. Each are naturally inquisitive and intensely simple to coach.
Orpington
Rounding out our checklist of greatest first chickens for youths is the Orpington, one other huge hen that comes additionally in a diminutive measurement. 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 in a couple of completely different coloration varieties, of which buff is by far the preferred. Due to its golden coloration and its gentleness round kids, the lovable Orpington is commonly referred to 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 may’t go improper.
Useful Hyperlinks
10 Issues to Know Earlier than You Get Chickens
8 Rooster Details that Shock First Time Homeowners
And that’s at this time’s information from the Cackle Coop.
Gail Damerow has written quite a few poultry-keeping books, lots of them accessible within the Cackle Bookstore.
