Mini Chickens? Bantams?

Question

I am after 2 chickens for our backyard. In town. Smaller breeds. What's the best? Something that's pretty quiet and a good pet for young children. Thanks! I already have a pair of Muscovy Ducks, Guinea Pigs, Budgies, Indian Ringnecks, and a dog who gets a long with them all... So Chickens that like other animals would be good? And where would be the best place to buy them? I am currently building a chicken House with Run, but they will also be allowed free run of the backyard when I am here. I live in Toowoomba QLD Australia, and have already looked up the council laws and Regulations. I can't have a rooster...

Answer 1

I would definitely recommend Silkies!  They are one of the best small breeds of chickens.  They are small, docile, easy to handle, extremely unique looking, and very fun.  They also lay small but decent sized eggs.  

When you buy chickens you usually get them at feed stores, from breeders, or from hatcheries.  I would suggest getting them from a breeder, although I do not live in Australia, so i do not know where to find a breeder near you.  (Sorry).  Make sure that you buy either sexed chicks (meaning a trained person can tell you that the chicks you are buying are all females) or buy older hens.  Chicks can be very hard to s*x, especially Silkies.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Bantams are cool but some can be a bit feisty and flighty. Plus their eggs are way smaller- if you want chooks you should get proper ones. You should be able to track down a small chicken run which would be appropriate for about 3 chooks.

Have you considered hand raising some? The kids will love it and it will help you to bond with the birds at an early age- they are relatively easy to care for- they need cleaning every day, and a heat lamp and special chicken pellets and fresh water each day. You can sexed day old chicks at some pet stores and farm supply stores depending on where you live.

If you read your local paper many people advertise pol (point of lay) pullets (young hens) for sale in the local classifieds. I recommend Rhode Island Reds- they are beautiful chooks, are readily avaliable and have fantastic personalitles and good temprement.  

Answer 3

this link is about what breeds are best as pets.,

http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/Pet-Chicken...

we have red Sussex and they are great!  we have 4 of them... silkies are good with kids too.. read the link

I buy mine at livestock auciton but dont know if you have those there.. as a local livestock feed store - they probably sell them or know who would