The Flock · A field guide

The friendliest chicken breeds
for kids.

Compare temperament, size and the needs of a family flock.

62common breeds
to compare

Decorative chicken illustration

178rarer breeds
in the records

Compare the breeds

Choosing your flock

A family flock starts with temperament.

A chicken that a child can catch, hold and help care for turns a flock into a family project instead of a chore. The trait to look for is a genuinely docile bird that tolerates handling — a lap chicken, not a bird that bolts. Bonus points for a breed distinctive enough that a kid can name each hen on sight.

These 62 common breeds are rated child-friendly. The Silkie is the classic children's chicken — fluffy, calm, and happy to be carried — while Orpingtons, Cochins, Brahmas and Faverolles are big soft dual-purpose birds that settle under an arm. Pair a gentle breed with the beginner list and you have a flock that survives both the weather and the enthusiasm.

The breed records

Compare the breeds.

62 breeds, with the details that matter for this guide.

62 breeds

Swipe across the table to see every detail.

Scroll through all 62 breeds below, or type a name to narrow the list.

BreedTemperamentSizeNoiseEggs / year
AmberlinkDocile, calmStandardQuiet200–300
AmeraucanaFriendly, activeStandardModerate150–200
Appenzeller SpitzhaubenActive, flightyStandardModerate150–180
AraucanaActive, friendlyStandardModerate150–180
Austra WhiteCalm, friendlyStandardModerate220–280
AustralorpDocile, friendlyStandardQuiet250–300
Ayam CemaniActive, friendlyStandardModerate80–120
BarnevelderDocile, calmStandardQuiet180–200
BielefelderDocile, calmStandardQuiet200–230
Black StarDocile, friendlyStandardModerate250–300
Booted BantamDocile, friendlyTrue bantamQuiet120–160
BrahmaDocile, calmStandardQuiet150–200
BuckeyeActive, friendlyStandardModerate150–200
Calico PrincessDocile, calmStandardModerate280–300
California GrayActive, calmStandardModerate240–300
California WhiteCalm, friendlyStandardModerate280–320
ChanteclerCalm, docileStandardQuiet180–220
Cinnamon QueenDocile, friendlyStandardQuiet250–300
CochinDocile, calmStandardQuiet110–160
Cornish CrossDocile, lethargicStandardQuiet—
Cream LegbarActive, friendlyStandardModerate180–230
DelawareCalm, friendlyStandardModerate200–280
DominiqueCalm, docileStandardQuiet230–270
DorkingCalm, docileStandardQuiet140–190
Easter EggerFriendly, docileStandardModerate200–280
FaverollesDocile, gentleStandardQuiet150–200
Freedom RangerActive, robustStandardModerate140–180
Golden CometDocile, friendlyStandardQuiet280–330
HoudanDocile, calmStandardQuiet150–230
ISA BrownDocile, friendlyStandardModerate300–350
Japanese BantamFriendly, docileTrue bantamQuiet60–90
JavaCalm, docileStandardQuiet150–180
Jersey GiantDocile, calmStandardQuiet150–200
LangshanDocile, calmStandardQuiet140–200
MaransCalm, docileStandardQuiet150–200
Midnight Majesty MaransCalm, docileStandardModerate230–260
Naked NeckCalm, friendlyStandardModerate150–180
New HampshireFriendly, calmStandardModerate200–240
Olive EggerFriendly, docileStandardQuiet150–200
OrpingtonDocile, friendlyStandardQuiet180–200
Plymouth RockDocile, friendlyStandardModerate200–280
PolishDocile, gentleStandardQuiet150–200
Prairie Bluebell EggerActive, athleticStandardModerate240–260
Production RedActive, hardyStandardModerate250–300
Rhode Island RedHardy, docileStandardModerate200–300
Rhode Island WhiteDocile, calmStandardModerate200–250
RosecombActive, spiritedTrue bantamModerate50–100
Russian OrloffCalm, quietStandardQuiet150–180
Sapphire GemDocile, friendlyStandardQuiet260–290
SebrightActive, friendlyTrue bantamModerate60–100
SeramaConfident, friendlyTrue bantamQuiet100–180
SilkieDocile, calmBantamQuiet100–120
Starlight Green EggerActive, easygoingStandardModerate260–280
SultanDocile, gentleStandardQuiet50–100
SussexDocile, friendlyStandardQuiet200–250
Swedish Flower HenCalm, friendlyStandardModerate150–200
WelbarActive, alertStandardModerate160–200
WelsummerFriendly, docileStandardQuiet160–200
Whiting True BlueActive, friendlyStandardModerate280–320
Whiting True GreenActive, friendlyStandardModerate280–320
WyandotteDocile, calmStandardQuiet180–220
YokohamaCalm, docileStandardQuiet60–100

Rarer breeds that also fit

These match too, but few or no US hatcheries stock them — expect a breeder waitlist.

Aarschots Hoen · Adler Silver · Alexandria · Altsteirer · Amrock · Annaberger Haubenstrupphuhn · Appenzeller Barthuhn · Assendelft Fowl · Augsburger · Ayam Balenggek · Ayam Kampung · Ayam Kampung (Malaysia) · and 166 more

More on choosing a flock

The Best Chickens for BeginnersThe Quietest Chicken Breeds for a Suburban YardThe Broodiest Chicken Breeds and Best Mother Hens

Breed facts from our open chicken-breed database, cross-checked against US hatchery listings, the Livestock Conservancy’s 2026 priority list and the American Poultry Association. Lay rates are a healthy hen’s good year, not a guarantee.