fluffyslipper Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 Hiya, well I've not got any chickens yet but will do in the next month or so when we've got our eglu, what I want to know is what breed would be best for children to help look after. Used to look after my dads chickens about 20 years ago, but back then a chicken was a chicken lol thanx in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 Pekins, definitely, they are fairly slow moving and very happy to be cuddled. My children loved their Pekins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyslipper Posted April 2, 2014 Author Share Posted April 2, 2014 Perkins it is then thank you, what age of the chicken is best to get xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 I would say about 20 weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 Pekins definitely and little fluffy silkies are really good with children too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyslipper Posted April 2, 2014 Author Share Posted April 2, 2014 Oooh I'm am so excited been researching chickens etc, gonna have elgu go, has anyone had and is it the one to get? Hoping to get 3 chickens xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 I have a and a all in a WIR both are fantastic I have no experience of a GO but someone who has will be along shortly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyslipper Posted April 2, 2014 Author Share Posted April 2, 2014 Ty muchly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 I agree pekins. Plus they "talk" when you talk to them. Flapping wings can hurt - on several occasions it felt like my orpies had broken my nose when I hadn't got used to handling them properly. Little birds are so much easier and less likely to make you feel like you've been playing rugby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 Most breeds will be fine. Some are naturally a bit more flighty but it's about the handling not the breed really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Orpingtons are docile, but very difficult to pick up when adult because their centre of balance is well behind their wings. Taking their weight properly doesn't trap their wings properly so they flap a lot. Definitely not for kids. Would have thought something lighter but not too flighty would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I own and , the cube is the best, it is easier to clean and can houses more hens. I would go for hens at POL (point of lay) 16-24 wk, be prepared for an attack of morehens disease as chickens are addictive! A go will house three Pekins happily although a Eglu is more robust. My go and Eglu are used as extra nest boxes, I do occasional use the Eglu for hatching out, but am always glad to just be using the cube. Good luck with your hens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Just got a cube which is the best. I also have a Go and a Classic. The classic is much easier to clean out and collect eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyslipper Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share Posted April 3, 2014 Thanx everyone, think Perkins r the best then, have about an acre of land, but only want 3 chickens, be each for kids but I can see me having more lol just sorting out garden fencing etc then sometime in July after our holidays gonna get them just waiting on council to give us the go a head xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzieLloyd Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Our pekins and silkie were fantastic for kids - very placid and docile. Also as they are small and not too heavy they are perfect size for kids to manage. One of my pekins used to cuddle up and sleep on my lap in the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I agree with getting pekins They are lovely little chickens and always up for a cuddle. I have a cube and a classic and find the cube the best for cleaning. Can't wait to see some pics when you eventually get them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 My exbats are really easy to handle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 An acre eh. OK peeps you can fit lots of chooks in an acre! It all starts with 2 or 3 and then . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I wouldn't go for ex-batts with children, simply because they don't live long enough. That's not to say I wouldn't keep a few ex-batts in that acre of land though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyslipper Posted April 4, 2014 Author Share Posted April 4, 2014 Thanx looks like its a Perkins then, my hubby wanted leghorns what are the like? Xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Horrendous. I had a White Star which is a leghorn hybrid, she was a total head case. She was flighty, impossible to catch, she originally lived next door but kept escaping over the fence, so she stayed. In an acre of land you will never see them. They will be off, like road runner No doubt someone will now come and tell us about their lovely calm, docile leghorn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 We have sweet little Brown English Leghorn bantams. They are far too flighty to be let out. Will clear a 5 foot fence with ease. Fairly tame in their covered run, but even with incubator hatching and constant handling they can be a handful. Definitely not a children's chicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheekyPekins Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 My best hens for the children to handle are my little Sablepoot (definitely my tamest girl, she will come for a cuddle whenever you like), my bantam Orpington and my Pekin-Silkie cross (who is utterly daft but adorable). My Pekins, I have to admit, are fine but not as tame as these three! And my Sumatra cross and my bantam Sussex are impossible to catch, even when bribed with mealworms... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyslipper Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 Hi, been told by my hubby that its not an acre of land we have I've overly bigger up the garden lol so its more like ummm 300ft long and about 75ft wide if that makes sense, I'm "Ooops, word censored!" at numbers and didn't know what an acre really was hahahah oh well lol xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 Half an acre is still pretty big Fluffyslipper. We had 76 chickens in ten coops and two sheep on an area that big. Plus veggie plot, greenhouse, three sheds and loads of fruit trees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
