Most Docile Chicken Breed – Our Top 15 Choices

Wanting a laid back vibe in our flock? We get it. Having a flock of flighty chickens can make for a challenging time for us chicken owners. In this article we’ve outline a few of the most friendly chicken breeds through research and personal experience. The most docile chicken breed is really a matter of preference and we list of top choices below.

Although there are many different chicken breeds out there, each has its own unique personality and disposition. While some chickens can be quite feisty and energetic, others are much more laid back and docile. We like having a nice mix of chickens to strike a nice balance between the docile and more flighty varieties.

A Few Points To Consider For Chickens Of All Breeds and Dispositions

We want to add here that the environment chickens are raised in makes a significant difference as well, as does the amount of socializing you do with your flock!

Sometimes even a breed that is typically more vivacious can be friendly if they’re handled correctly and calmly.

Also, if you’re coop is too small for the number of chickens you own, they can become more feisty to get their space, food, and to establish themselves in the pecking order.

Okay, onto our 15 docile breeds below!

1) Ameraucanas

Temperament is the combination of a chicken’s inherent personality and how they react to their environment. The Ameraucana temperament is known to be docile, friendly, and curious.

They are also known to be good foragers and to have a high level of egg production. Ameraucanas are social creatures and do well in both small and large flocks. They are also quite tolerant of both heat and cold, making them a good choice for both hot and cold climates.

When it comes to diseases, Ameraucanas are relatively disease-resistant, but they are susceptible to certain respiratory illnesses. Overall, Ameraucanas make great pets and are a good choice for both first-time chicken owners and experienced breeders alike.

2) Anconas

Different breeds have different dispositions, and you want to make sure you get a chicken that will fit well into your home. Anconas are generally social chickens and do well with other chickens and other farm animals. They are also quite heat and cold tolerant, so they can do well in a variety of climates.

However, Anconas are prone to several diseases, so it is important to be aware of these before getting one. Usually with good coop management, this will not be an issue regardless of breed. Keeping a sanitary coop is not difficult at all. More on this topic can be found here.

Overall, temperament is an important factor to consider when choosing a chicken, and Anconas are a good option for those looking for a social and hardy chicken.

3) Andalusian Chickens

Andalusians are known for being very social creatures, and they are often used in shows and movies because of their calm dispositions.

They are also very heat and cold tolerant, so they make a great addition to many flocks in all sorts of climates.

Another thing to consider is that Andalusians lay a lot of eggs – up to 300 per year! Calm temperament and massive egg laying potential, what more can you ask for.

4) Australorp Chickens

When it comes to temperament, Australorps are known for being calm and docile. They’re also quite heat and cold tolerant, making them a great choice for both hot and cold climates.

As far as socialization goes, Australorps are generally social birds and do well in both contained and free-range settings. They’re not particularly disease-prone, but like all animals, they can be susceptible to certain health issues if not properly cared for.

Australorps are known for being good layers, with most hens producing around 225 eggs per year. Egg color can vary depending on the variety of Australorp, but they’re typically brown or light brown in color.

Lastly, Australorps are considered dual purpose birds, meaning they can be used for both meat and egg production.

5) Barred Plymouth Rock Chickens (aka Barred Rocks)

The Barred Rock chicken is a popular breed due to its hardiness and its reputation for being friendly and docile. They are a common breed in the US, and for good reason.

They are also known for being heat and cold tolerant, making them a good choice for both warm and cold climates. When it comes to temperament, Barred Rocks are generally calm and quiet, although they can be social if raised around people from a young age.

As far as disease goes, Barred Rocks are relatively disease-resistant, although they are susceptible to some common chicken illnesses such as Marek’s disease. Again, with proper coop cleaning and ventilation, there are usually few health issues in any flock or individual breed.

When it comes to egg production, Barred Rocks typically lay over 200 eggs per year, with the eggs being a light brown color. Additionally, Barred Rocks are considered to be dual purpose chickens, meaning that they can be used for both egg production and meat. Consequently, the Barred Rock is a versatile breed that is well-suited for both small backyard flocks and larger commercial operations.

6) Brahma Chickens

Brahmas are an excellent choice for a backyard flock. They are large birds, and make excellent watchdogs. Despite their large size, they are relatively docile and easy to handle.

Brahmas are also quite tolerant of both heat and cold, making them well suited to a variety of climates.

In terms of temperament, Brahmas can be somewhat shy, but they are generally social birds that get along well with other chicken breeds and their human companions!

When it comes to disease resistance, Brahmas are fairly hearty birds. However, they are susceptible to certain respiratory illnesses, so it is important to provide them with plenty of ventilation.

Brahmas lay large eggs, typically about three to four per week. Eggs can be either brown or white, depending on the variety of Brahma.

Overall, Brahmas are dual-purpose birds that make great egg-layers and tasty meat birds. Whether you are looking for a bird with good egg production or one that is well suited to colder climates, Brahmas are an excellent choice.

7) Buff Orpington Chickens

Buff Orpingtons are a good option for those looking for a calm and docile bird. They are one of our personal favorites and our kids love them!

They are also heat and cold tolerant, making them a versatile choice for those in different climates. Buff Orpingtons are social birds and do well in a flock setting.

Buff Orpingtons lay between 200-250 large brown eggs per year. Egg color can vary depending on the individual bird, but they are typically a light brown.

This Orpington breed are dual purpose birds, meaning they can be used for both meat and eggs. However, their large size makes them better suited for egg production.

When it comes to temperament, disposition, and egg production, Buff Orpingtons are a great choice for those looking for a calm and docile chicken that is easy to care for. If you have kids, we recommend getting a few “buffs” because of the their friendly nature.

8) Buttercup Chickens

A buttercup’s temperament is generally calm and docile, making them a good choice for those who are looking for a pet chicken.

Buttercups are generally tolerant of both heat and cold, making them a good choice for those who live in climates with extreme temperatures.

Are buttercups social? Yes, they are generally social creatures and enjoy being around other chickens and people.

They can be disease-prone, so it is important to keep an eye on their health and make sure they are getting the proper care. Again, keep your coop clean and ventilated, and there should be minimal to no health issues in your flock.

Buttercups lay a respectable 180 – 200 eggs per year. The eggs are usually a creamy white color.

They are a dual purpose chicken breed, good for both meat and egg production. However, they are raised most often for egg production.

9) Cochin Chickens

Cochins are a very old breed of chicken that was first bred in China. The cochin is a large, heavy bird with small legs. They are available in many different colors, but the most popular are the black and white varieties.

Cochins are best known for their kindly temperament and calm disposition. This makes them a nice fit for any backyard flock.

They are also very cold hardy and can tolerate extreme weather conditions.

Cochins are social birds and do well with people and other chickens.

Cochins are not the most prolific egg layers, averaging about 100 eggs per year. They are considered to be dual purpose birds, meaning they can be used for both meat and eggs. However, they are more commonly kept as pets or exhibition birds due to their gentle nature. Great for your backyard flock!

10) Cornish Chickens

When it comes to temperament, Cornish chickens are relatively docile and easy to handle, making them a good choice for first-time chicken owners. They are also fairly heat and cold tolerant.

This breed should not be confused with the Cornish Cross chickens, which are broiler chickens used almost exclusively for meat production.

As far as socialization goes, Cornish chickens are not particularly social and do not mind being on their own. However, they can be aggressive towards other chickens but have not been known to be cranky or aggressive toward their owners if raised correctly from “chickhood.”

They also have a decent egg production, with most hens laying around 180 – 200 eggs per year. The eggs are typically large and light brown in color. Overall, Cornish chickens make excellent dual-purpose birds and can be a good addition to any flock.

11) Crested Cream Legbar Chickens

The temperament of the Cream Legbars is very docile, and they are considered to be very social creatures. They are also quite heat and cold tolerant.

On average, they will lay around 280 eggs per year and the egg color is a beautiful blue! What nice color to compliment any collection of white, brown, or green eggs.

These chickens are also dual purpose, but used primarily for egg production. Overall, the Cream Legbar is a great breed to have on any farm.

12) Dominique Chickens

Dominique chickens are considered to be one of the more friendly breeds, with calm dispositions. They are also known to tolerate both heat and cold quite well.

They can be social birds, although they typically do not form as close of bonds with humans as some other breeds. In terms of health, Dominiques are generally disease-resistant, although they can be prone to certain respiratory infections. See this article to prevent health problems in your flock.

When it comes to egg production, Dominiques are excellent laying hens, producing up to 275 eggs per year! The eggs are typically a brownish color, although there is some variation among individuals.

Overall, Dominiques make good dual-purpose birds, and are a great addition to any backyard flock.

13) Easter Eggers

Easter Eggers are a type of chicken that is known for its colorful green eggs, making them a hit in many backyard flocks.

These chickens are also generally calm and docile, making them a good choice for chicken keepers with kids.

Easter Eggers are heat and cold tolerant.

They are also quite social and can be tamed easily.

Easter Eggers lay between 200 and 300 eggs per year, with most of the eggs being brown or green. However, some Easter Eggers lay blue or pink eggs!

The breed is dual purpose, but mainly utilized for their excellent egg production.

14) Faverolle Chickens

Faverolles are another breed of chicken known for its calm and docile disposition. They can easily be socialized to people if started at an early age.

They are average to larger sized chicken, weighing up to 7 lbs when full grown.

They too are also relatively heat and cold tolerant, making them a good choice for those who live in diverse climates.

They are also prone to certain diseases, so it is important to be aware of these before deciding to raise them. Keep your coop well managed, and you’ll likely have very few problems.

When it comes to egg production, Faverolles typically lay between 150 -180 eggs per year. The eggs are usually a light brown color.

Faverolles can also be used for both meat and egg production, making them a versatile breed.

15) Rhode Island Red Chickens

Another chicken keeper favorite, Rhode Island Reds are generally calm and good-natured, making them a good choice for first-time chicken owners. We’ve owned Rhode Island Reds for years and love them!

They are also quite tolerant of both heat and cold, meaning they can be kept in a variety of climates.

Rhode Island Reds are social creatures and do best when kept in pairs or small groups. Thankfully, they are not particularly disease-prone.

They typically lay around 250- 275 eggs per year, with the eggs being a beautiful dark brown color.

Rhode Islands are considered a dual-purpose breed, meaning they can be used for both egg production and meat production.

Overall, Rhode Island Reds make an excellent choice for those looking for a calm, hardy chicken breed.

Final Thoughts

Chickens are a popular backyard pet for many reasons. They’re low-maintenance, entertaining, and provide you with fresh eggs daily!

If you’re thinking of adding chickens to your home, it’s important to do your research first and decide which breed is right for you. Having a mix of docile breeds provides a nice blend to any flock.

We hope this list of the 15 most docile chicken breeds helps make your decision easier. What breed of chicken do you have or plan on getting? Let us know in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy ‘Chickening!’