There are over a thousand different chicken breeds in existence, and while it may be tempting to take your pick on just about any of them, the truth is some chickens need more specialised care than others.

You wouldn’t want to get a chicken breed that’s too much for your farmstead and family to take care of, nor would you like to own a breed that may end up miserable in their coop or aggressive to your children. 

You’re much better off picking a suitable chicken breed right off the bat for your family. This will ensure the quality of life for both your family and the chicken remains consistently high.

If you’re on the lookout for some of the best chicken breeds for families, then you’re in the right place. We’ll drop a couple of the top chicken breeds that you can raise at home with your children.

Let’s get right into it!

Australorps

One popular and beginner-friendly chicken breed you can easily find in Australia is the Australorp. This chicken is known for its sleek and balanced build. It’s also a medium-weight breed, making it easy to carry around no matter your age. 

It’s derived from the Orpington breed found in Great Britain, and it’s selectively bred to be an excellent egg-laying chicken.

What makes this chicken breed great for kids is its docile and non-aggressive nature. They typically handle children well, remaining calm and patient even on the first interaction. This gentle nature makes them ideal for families new to chicken rearing.

On top of that, this chicken breed also handles Australia’s shifting climate pretty well. They can typically lay about 20 to 25 eggs a month, regardless of the weather outside, provided they’re staying in a cool, cosy coop. They also behave well both in confinement and when freely roaming.

That being said, it’s crucial to construct or purchase a nice coop to house your hens. If you need suggestions, Somerzby’s range of outdoor chicken coops offers a great range of potential structures for your first batch of hens to call home.

Orpingtons

Orpingtons aren’t only a hit in Great Britain; they can also be a great family-friendly chicken in Australia. 

This breed tends to be larger and sturdier than Australorps, but that’s not a problem for older children. In fact, this breed is known to be quite calm. Plus, their size makes them less likely to flap their wings and fly around, which can make them quite predictable and easy to deal with for the entire family.

Just like Australorps, this chicken breed has a gentle temperament that makes them easy for children to handle. Carrying them around is easy thanks to their friendly nature, and they even tend to warm up to families quite quickly. They also rarely exhibit signs of aggression, which helps loads in ensuring your child’s safety on the farm or yard.

For a first-time chicken owner, Orpingtons are a great breed. They’re not fussy to handle, have a steady egg production rate, and can work in a variety of yard setups. They’re practical and quite a good choice for families looking to get their first yard chicken.

Plymouth Rocks

Another notable domesticated chicken breed is the Plymouth Rock. This chicken breed is known for its medium build and barred feather pattern, making them quite nice to look at. 

They’re also hardy and confident breeds, which are excellent traits to have for a chicken going to a household with children. Plus, they are excellent egg layers due to their steady laying cycle and year-round production, making them great chickens to educate children on the egg-laying process.

If you plan to raise a new generation of chickens, Plymouth Rocks are also great because of their moderate broodiness. While they don’t sit on eggs constantly, they are fairly attentive mothers when they do decide to hatch their eggs and produce chicks.

That said, if you just plan to have one or a couple of them around the household, then their docile and non-skittish nature makes them quite great around all types of people, including children.

Sussex Chicken

If you plan to raise a breed of chicken with both excellent flesh and eggs, Sussex chickens are an optimal choice. This chicken has a classic white-bodied look with a black neck and tail. They have a medium-large build, but they’re still quite manageable for older children.

Unlike the other chicken breeds, Sussex chickens are very social and curious. They enjoy frolicking around the yard and going near people. This can make them a fun breed to have for young families who want their chicken to be more than just a farm animal, but also a loving pet.

On top of that, Sussex hens also produce a good number of light brown eggs. They are also quite hardy and can generally handle Australia’s diverse range of weather conditions and climates.

All these factors combined make Sussex chickens an excellent livestock to have at home. Their non-aggressive and non-skittish nature makes them safe for kids to be around, and their friendly disposition helps them fit easily into all sorts of household setups.

Bantam Chicken

If you want a smaller breed for your little ones to handle, Bantam chickens make for the perfect pet. 

These chickens have a miniature stature, making them light to carry and easy to hold for younger kids. They’re also very friendly chicken breeds that enjoy the company of humans, making them easy fits in many chicken-loving households.

If you have a small yard or coop setup, bantam chickens tend to thrive better in such conditions compared to the medium and large-sized breeds as well. On top of that, these chickens are fairly entertaining to watch due to their big personalities, making them easy for the entire family to love and care for.

Wyandottes

A chill and majestic chicken breed that can be excellent for families with young children is the Wyandotte. Known for its laced feather pattern, this chicken breed is a standout among many chicken-owning families for its visual appeal.

This breed, in particular, can lay a respectable 210 large eggs a year. Their steady temperament makes them approachable for children and other animals. Moreover, they tend to integrate smoothly into mixed flocks without brewing much trouble.

If you want a chicken breed that looks strikingly beautiful and has a gentle temperament, the Wyandotte is a classic example of a bird that fits the bill quite well.

We hope that these chicken breed recommendations help you pick the right chicken breed for your family. All the best in raising a home with a genuine heart and care for these beautiful chickens!