Selecting Suitable Chicken Breeds
In the world of backyard poultry farming, there are several factors to consider when choosing the right breeds for your family. Here are some recommendations for docile, calm, cold-hardy, and reliable egg layers that are suitable for beginners, especially those with children involved in caretaking.
Plymouth Rock chickens, known for their friendly nature and adaptability to various climates, are excellent choices. They produce brown eggs and weigh around 6-8 pounds, laying approximately 180-210 eggs per year. Their calm demeanour makes them ideal for beginners and children [1][3][5].
Another great option is the Light Sussex chicken, which is fairly docile and good for beginners. They lay 200-250 eggs annually and weigh 7-9 pounds. Sussex chickens are also suitable for meat, making them versatile for backyard flocks [1].
Brahmas, known for their calm temperament and friendly disposition, are excellent pets for children. They produce a moderate number of eggs (120-150 per year) and can also be raised for meat (7-12 pounds) [1].
Ameraucana chickens, with their easy-going nature, are recommended specifically for new chicken keepers because of their temperament, which suits children’s interaction. They produce blue-green eggs [2].
Orpingtons and Cochins are breeds with calm dispositions and are highlighted as great choices for beginners, making them suitable when children are involved in daily care [2].
Rhode Island Reds, hardy and excellent egg producers, although they may have a slightly more assertive temperament, are a popular choice for beginners who want a resilient bird [3].
Silkies, fluffy and unique, are often kept as pets and are well-suited to children, though their egg production is lower [3].
When purchasing chickens, it's crucial to only buy birds certified free of NPIP diseases to prevent introducing a disease into the flock. It's also important to prioritize calm and friendly breeds for children’s safety and ease of caretaking. Consider cold-hardiness if you live in colder climates, and egg-laying reliability for those who want fresh eggs consistently [4].
For those interested in meat production, commercial meat birds are not usually the best choice for the backyard poultry enthusiast. However, some chicken breeds are dual-purpose, laying an adequate amount of eggs and growing large enough for meat production [6].
In conclusion, Plymouth Rock, Sussex, Brahma, Ameraucana, Orpington, Cochin, and Silkies are generally regarded as the best options for families new to chicken keeping and for children involved in caretaking [1][2][3][5]. Happy farming!
References: [1] Backyard Poultry (2021) Beginner's Guide to Choosing Chickens. [Online] Available at: https://www.backyardpoultry.com/articles/beginners-guide-to-choosing-chickens
[2] My Pet Chicken (2021) Best Chicken Breeds for Children. [Online] Available at: https://www.mypetchicken.com/best-chicken-breeds-for-children
[3] Farm Sanctuary (2021) Choosing the Right Chickens for Your Backyard Flock. [Online] Available at: https://www.farmsanctuary.org/learn/educational-resources/resources/choosing-the-right-chickens-for-your-backyard-flock
[4] National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) (2021) About NPIP. [Online] Available at: https://www.usnpip.org/about-npip
[5] The Spruce Pets (2021) Best Chicken Breeds for Beginners. [Online] Available at: https://www.thesprucepets.com/best-chicken-breeds-for-beginners-1438317
[6] Backyard Poultry (2021) Choosing Chickens for Eggs and Meat. [Online] Available at: https://www.backyardpoultry.com/articles/choosing-chickens-for-eggs-and-meat
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