If you are looking for the best low-maintenance chickens for pets, you have come to the right place.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about some of the best low-maintenance and friendliest chicken breeds that make great family pets. Keep reading to learn more.
Raising chickens in your backyard can be a rewarding and joyous experience. Chickens are good for meat and egg production and make great pets.
However, raising chickens can be very challenging, especially if you are a beginner. You need to know many things and questions to ask yourself before getting into chicken keeping.
One of the most important things to consider is what breed you should include in your flock. Not all chicken breeds are good for egg production, and not all can make great pets.
There are hundreds of chicken breeds in the poultry world, and they come in different sizes, colors, and purposes.
Jersey Giant
First on our list of the best low-maintenance chickens for pets is the “Jersey Giant.” As the name suggests, this chicken breed is big.
They stand at about 26 inches tall and weigh around 15 pounds when fully grown. The Jersey Giant is one of the largest breeds of chickens. Despite their large size, they are friendly and gentle.
These gentle giants are undoubtedly one of the friendliest chicken breeds. If you add them to your backyard flock, you can be sure that they will get along with other chicken breeds and pets in the family.
Their friendly nature also extends to humans, and they will easily get along with kids in the family and the elderly.
Jersey Giants are friendly but also strong. They will defend themselves against predators or aggressive intruders. Hawks tend to stay clear of them because of their large sizes. However, you must still protect them against predators such as raccoons, coyotes, and stray dogs.
The Jersey Giant is known to be a dual-purpose chicken breed. They are good for both meat and egg production.
A Jersey Giant hen can lay 3-4 eggs per week. This translates to around 200 eggs per year. They give a lot, and you are expected to provide them with care and a proper diet.
However, you will not find it a big problem caring for these gentle birds.
Whether you are looking for a dual-purpose or a friendly chicken, the Jersey Giant is one of the best options. These lo-maintenance chickens are friendly and make great pets.
Buff Orpington
The Buff Orpington is a great chicken breed as it can be anything you want. If you want a productive chicken breed, look no further!
They are good for both meat and egg production. Under good care and proper nutrition, these large-sized chickens can lay up to 280 eggs annually. They usually lay large, brown eggs.
This adorable chicken breed has beautiful feathers and stances. They make great show birds as they can wow chicken enthusiasts at poultry shows.
They are also friendly chickens that can make perfect pets. These sweat chickens love attention. They enjoy getting cuddles and hugs from their handlers.
Do you love a kid that loves everything to do with chickens? If yes, you should get them this adorable and friendly chicken. Buff Orpingtons are great birds around kids and will hardly harm them.
However, you must train your kids to relate well with chickens to prevent bad encounters.
Buff Orpingtons are considered low-maintenance chickens because they do not need much care and maintenance.
They suit beginners and chicken enthusiasts looking for a friendly, low-maintenance chicken breed. However, these chickens love food and treats.
Although gentle and friendly birds, they can get broody and become very caring and protective of their chicks.
Speckled Sussex
The Speckled Sussex is one of our list’s most adorable chicken breeds. It is also one of the favorite chicken breeds of all time.
These adorable birds weigh between 5 and 7 pounds when fully grown. They are dual-purpose chickens good for both meat and egg production.
The Speckled Sussex is a friendly and affectionate chicken that loves human interaction. They love running after their owners and members of the family.
It is unsurprising to see your Speckled Sussex chicken following you in the backyard. These gentle birds are also friendly toward kids, and you can trust them around your children.
However, monitoring their interaction with kids is important to ensure that your kids do not become aggressive toward them.
Unlike the Jersey Giants, the Speckled Sussex cannot stand for themselves. This means they can become victims of bullying by other chickens in the flock.
Therefore, raising your Speckled Sussex chickens alongside non-aggressive chicken breeds is important.
In addition to their friendly nature that makes them great pets, these birds are considered low-maintenance. They do not need a lot of maintenance needs.
Besides, they are hardy chickens that can do well in cold and hot climates. A Speckled Sussex hen can lay about five eggs per week. This translates to about 250 eggs per year.
Silkies
Silkies are probably one of the best chicken breeds you can keep as pets. As the name suggests, their feathers feel like silk.
This makes them one of the best chicken breeds to hug and cuddle. Generally, Silkies are friendly chickens that love cuddling.
They are covered in feathers, literally from head to toe. Unlike most chicken breeds, they have five toes on each foot.
They also have black bones and blue earlobes and do not fly very very because of their heavy plumage and how fluffy they are.
Their unusual appearance makes them a favorite for many chicken enthusiasts looking for a chicken pet. They are also friendly toward kids.
If you have a kid for loves chickens, you can surprise them with this adorable, friendly bird. Silkies are calm and gentle chickens if your kids want to play with them.
However, these birds do not just offer love alone. They are multi-purpose chickens. Although not that common, their black bones, skin, and meat have rendered them a delicacy for many people.
In addition, they are good for egg production. Under proper nutrition and good care, a Slikie hen can lay about 150 eggs per year.
These adorable birds tolerate confinement. They are also great for people who live in urban areas, as they rarely get loud.
Faverolle
Faverolles are beautiful and adorable chickens that anyone will quickly fall in with. Their feathers have wonderful colors that make them look majestic.
They also look fluffy that you will want to hug them. These adorable chickens also love to cuddle with their handlers.
They are sweet and gentle birds that make great pets. If you are looking for a pet chicken, this is one of the best breeds.
Faverolles love to make friends with everyone in the family, including kids. Because of their gentle and docile, they can be victims of attack and bullying by other flock members.
Therefore, it is advisable to only raise them with other friendly and non-aggressive chicken breeds.
In addition to their unconditional offer, these adorable chickens can ensure you have a constant supply of eggs throughout the year.
They are capable of laying up to 200 eggs per year. As with other chicken breeds, your Faverolle chicken will need good care and a proper diet to live a longer and more productive life.
Fortunately, these birds are low-maintenance, and you will not face many challenges caring for them.
Cochin Chicken
Last on our list of the best low-maintenance chickens for pets is the “Cochin.” This large-sized chicken breed can weigh up to 10 pounds when fully mature.
Despite their large size, they are gentle and friendly chickens that make great pets. Cochins are calm and affectionate chickens that will enjoy sitting on your lap.
They love kids and chicks. You can trust them around your kids, thanks to their gentle disposition. Look no further if you are looking for a great pet or a chicken to play with your kids.
Because of their docile and calm nature, they can be prone to bullying by assertive chickens in the flock. Unfortunately, these chickens are not excellent egg producers.
Cochins are not for you if you are looking for a great egg producer. In addition to their affectionate and friendly personalities, they are hardy chickens and do not require any special treatment.
Conclusion
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced chicken keeper, friendly pet chickens never seem bad. Several chicken breeds make great pets.
While some of them are not much productive, they will give you the love and companionship you need.
If you are looking for the best low-maintenance chicken breed, you can consider one of the options on our list.
