I want to get a pet chicken, and i want to be abel to handel it and for it to be happy to handled. I know the only way to do this is to buy a chicken young, but I want to know what is the best way to go about that, and what is the best breed to buy to have it as a pet, oh and I do still want it to lay eggs. Please and thank you.
First, never get A pet chicken. Chickens are flock animals, that need to live in groups. At least get two, preferably three.
There is no set way on raising a chicken, like there is no set way of raising a child, Each technique has disadvantages, as well as advantages. The main thing to getting a nice chicken is just to truly care about it, and handle it well. Try to remain calm, feed it, hold it in a comfortable position, and talk to it.
As for breed, all breeds have the ability to make good pets. However, I do suggest staying away from thin and light breed, such as the Leghorn, and gamefowl. Three birds tend to be more hyper. Stick with the larger, calmer types . (I am not excluding bantams, but in the choice if a pet bantam pick a Cochin over a Leghorn.)
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Bantams in my opinion make really good pets. My favorite tempered bantams would be my Cochins, with my Silkies coming in after they. Bantams are small and easy to handle. Both my Cochins, and Silkies love being held, and will just sit in your lap to be pet, and come running to see me when I walk into their pens.
This being said my large fowl are also very friendly, but a seven pound bird isn't as easy to handle. And if you live in a city, then keeping two or three bantam hens in a rabbit cage/hutch may be more feasible.
And all hens will lay eggs, with or without a rooster. Some breed will lay more the others, and take longer or shorter times to mature. But, all breeds will not take over a year to lay.
I suggest looking at three places to help with your selection
MyPetChicken.com
Hendersons Chicken Chart
BackYardChickenForum
Best wishes,
Jamie/Rhoderunner
