With so many chicken breeds out there, how do you know which one best suits your needs?
If you’re looking for a docile breed that lays eggs regularly, here are some of the most popular docile chicken breeds on the market today.
Each breed has unique traits, so be sure to learn as much as you can about each breed before making your final decision!
1. Buff Orpington
Buff Orpingtons were bred in England during the 19th century. They come in two color varieties: buff or red-brown and light golden-brown.
These chickens have a docile temperament; they’re not flighty or skittish like some other breeds might be when dealing with human beings who approach them closely.
They can make excellent pets because they are so easy to handle and have lovely layers of eggs that are white and brown in coloration.
They do take an extra long time to reach maturity, though. If you’re looking for docile chicken breeds that lay plenty of eggs, this is the breed for you!
2. Australorp
If you’re looking for docile chicken breeds, Australorps are a great choice. They’re calm and gentle, and they make great pets.
They’re also good egg layers, so if you’re looking for a breed that can provide fresh eggs, Australorps are an excellent option.
However, they’re not the best choice if you’re looking for a chicken that’s good at brooding.
As mentioned before, these birds tend to be friendly, but they’re not known for being attentive mothers.
These chickens aren’t very cold, hardy, or heat tolerant. They have small combs and wattles, sometimes making them look slightly like owls.
3. Salmon Faverolle
Salmon Faverolle chickens are a heritage breed from France. They’re known for being good egg layers and quite friendly and docile.
If you’re looking for a breed that’s good with kids and other animals, the Salmon Faverolle is an excellent choice.
They come in various colors, including salmon (hence the name), black, white, and blue. These docile chicken breeds only downside is that they don’t do well in cold climates.
The hen lays about 140 eggs annually, but the rooster will only lay about 50 eggs annually.
Chickens are an excellent meat source, so consider these guys if you want your flock.
4. Cochin
Cochin chickens are a good choice as docile chicken breeds. They’re not as prone to panic as other chicken breeds and have a calm disposition.
Cochin chickens are also relatively easy to handle, making them a good choice for first-time owners.
Howeremember mind that Cochin chickens can be pretty large, so you’ll need enough space to accommodate them.
You should also protect your Cochin chickens from extremes in temperature and sunlight since their feathers don’t offer much protection.
If you can afford it, invest in an insulated hen house or provide plenty of shade for your birds!
5. Jersey Giant
Jersey Giants are heritage docile chicken breeds developed in the United States in the late 1800s.
They were bred to be large, dual-purpose birds that could be used for meat and eggs.
Today, they are still used for these purposes but are also becoming more popular as backyard chickens.
Jersey Giants are calm birds that do well with other chickens and make great pets.
The Jersey Giant may be the right breed for you if you’re looking for a big bird with a gentle personality!
Wide colorful varieties are available, so take your time browsing around our site to see what catches your eye.
6. Brahma
Brahmas are large docile chicken breeds known for their gentle and docile nature.
They make great pets and are good egg-layers, producing up to 200 eggs annually. Brahmas come in various colors, including black, white, buff, and partridge.
If you’re looking for a calm and friendly chicken breed, Brahma is a great choice!
The hens lay about 200 eggs yearly, which can be good for larger families or people who often want fresh eggs.
One downside is that the roosters will get very noisy when they see other males.
Another downside is that some say the chickens may not do well with cold weather and should be kept indoors during the winter.
On the plus side, these chickens are noted for being non-aggressive, easy to handle, and usually accepting of humans.
7. Barred Rock
The Barred Rock is an amiable and social breed, making it a great choice if you’re looking for a chicken that will be good with children or other animals.
They’re also very active, so they’ll need plenty of space to roam.
The Barred Rock is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an egg-laying machine – they can lay up to 280 eggs annually!
However, they require more care than some other breeds, so ensure you’re prepared to give them the attention they need.
While there are 11 types of docile chicken breeds on this list, not all are appropriate for every household.
Consider your needs before deciding which breed to adopt from your local animal shelter or farmer’s market.
8. Silkie Bantam
The Silkie Bantam are small, docile chicken breeds that originate from Asia.
They are characterized by their black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and fluffy plumage. Silkies are gentle, make good pets, and provide delicious eggs.
Adding docile chicken breeds to your farm would be an excellent idea; the Silkie Bantam is a great choice!
Due to their pleasant nature, they can even serve as therapy chickens. Silkies are not overly active and lay only about 250-350 eggs annually.
You might have trouble with cannibalism if there is not enough space or with heat in the summer months; however, these two drawbacks may also make this breed ideal for an urban setting where space is limited or if you want a pet that lays less than 300 eggs per year.
9. Sussex
The Sussex is a calm and good-natured chicken, making it a great choice if you’re looking for a pet chicken.
They’re also excellent layers, producing around 250 eggs per year. Sussex chickens come in various colors, including light brown, dark brown, and white.
The Sussex is an excellent choice with friendly and low-maintenance docile chicken breeds.
However, if you want your hens to lay more than 250 eggs yearly, this may not be the best option.
10. Pearl Star Leghorn
The Pearl Star Leghorn is a small to medium-sized bird that’s great for first-time chicken owners.
They’re gentle and low-maintenance, making them ideal for those who want the experience of owning chickens without all the work.
Pearl Stars are also good layers, so that you can expect a steady supply of fresh eggs.
If you’re looking for a calm and friendly chicken, the Pearl Star Leghorn is an excellent choice. These birds come in several colors: white, black, brown, and buff.
You can tell what color your rooster will be by its earlobes. Pearl Star Leghorns are hardy birds that don’t need much attention but will produce well in return.
11. Easter Egger
The Easter Egger might be a good choice if you’re looking for docile chicken breeds. Easter Eggers are known for being friendly and good with children.
They’re also known for being egg layers, so if you’re looking to start the egg business, this might be the breed.
Some say these chickens will eat anything, but that’s not true; they enjoy exploring their surroundings!
It has been said that the Easter Egger has an unusual appearance because it can have tufts on its head and red coloring.
These chickens are not heavy layers, laying around 140 eggs per year.
Their eggs are often light green or blue. The Easter Egger is a small bird, only weighing about 5 pounds when fully grown.
12. Ameraucana
Ameraucanas are another types of docile chicken breeds. These chickens are white with black spots on their wings and tail feathers; they’re elegant and initially come from South America.
These birds get along well with other poultry, such as ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowls (poultry originating from Africa), and even rabbits!
They also have a high egg production rate, producing eggs more frequently than some other breeds.
Ameraucana chicks can be brutal to find since they’re not bred all that often, but you may find them at your local feed store, or if you’ve got a backyard flock already established, your breeder might be willing to sell some chicks to you.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a variety of docile chicken breeds to choose from.
Depending on your individual needs and preferences, any of these 12 options could be the right fit for you.
Consider what you value most in a pet and make your decision accordingly.
Some are better suited for meat production, while others lay more eggs. Ultimately, your best breed depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Research and talk to experienced chicken farmers to make the best decision for your flock.
For example, if you have young children that might be too rough with chickens, it would be wise to go with a smaller or less active bird like the Buff Orpington or Ancona.
But if you want fast-growing birds that will make healthy eggs quickly, then Anas or Rhode Island Reds might be best.
