Friendly Pet Breeds Chickens
Breeds selected over generations for human tolerance — the first choice for families with children or gardeners who want hens that follow them around.
Friendly Pet Breeds chickens include breeds like Buff Orpington, Sussex, Cochin, Brahma, Australorp — selected over generations for pet / eggs. Average temperament: Very docile. Broodiness tendency: Moderate to High. Foraging ability: Moderate. Space needs: Low to Moderate.
Below you will find climate-specific guides for each of the six major North American climate zones. Click through to see which breeds in this category perform best in your conditions, with coop-sizing parameters appropriate for each zone.
Choose Your Climate Zone
USDA 3-5
Cold Northern
Minnesota, North Dakota, northern Michigan, Vermont, Maine
USDA 6-7
Temperate
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Oregon (valley), Tennessee
USDA 8
Mild Coastal
Western Oregon, western Washington, coastal California, coastal Georgia
USDA 9-10
Hot Arid
Arizona, Nevada, inland California, New Mexico, west Texas
USDA 8-10 (humid)
Hot Humid
Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, coastal Georgia, South Carolina
USDA 4-7 (altitude-modified)
Mountain / High Altitude
Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico highlands
Breed Details
- Primary use
- Pet / Eggs
- Egg color
- Brown to Cream
- Temperament
- Very docile
- Foraging ability
- Moderate
- Broodiness
- Moderate to High
- Space needs
- Low to Moderate