Chicken, Rabbit, Ferrer, or Bearded Dragon? Please help!?

Each of the pets you have listed are extremely different to own, different to handle, care for, temperament etc.... This also depends on what your daughter is looking for in a pet, firstly choose what type she would rather care for. As a rodent, rabbit, bird and reptile have completely different requirements, the pet must be housed suitably, cleaned regularly and socialized/gave attention. Some of these pets also work best with a companion of their own kind (e.g. ferret), so would you mind owning two? Contrary to popular belief, some of these pets (the rabbit especially) do not enjoy being handled/cuddled, and sometimes not even touched. They will initiate interaction when it suites them. Whereas ferrets crave this attention, though they can be very boisterous and require a firm hand to prevent nipping and mouthing etc...

If your daughter wants a small animal that she can handle frequently I would advise a guinea pig, chinchilla or rat. If she is into reptiles maybe more extensive research would help, as there are many to choose from!

Good luck!

DO NOT buy her a live animal for a birthday. You and her need to check out all the info in regards to what she wants, there are a lot of downsides to most any pet and you need to be aware of any issues first.

Chickens are banned from inside city limits in most places, if they DO allow them, there are restrictions. Chickens can be messy and sanitation can be an issue. The cost of a coop, heating, feed, etc. may be too high for what you want, and they generally stop laying eggs at about 4 years of age but live for 10 or more years. Shelters won't take them usually.

Bunnies live 10 years, they are delicate and you need a vet that knows rabbits.

Ferrets self destruct with cancer around 5-7 years old, they are prone to two expensive diseases (Aleutians and Adrenal) and each of those would require a surgery that runs in the $1,300 range. The cage costs as much as the ferret, and they have specific food needs, they are NOT a puppy or kitten, they can't be 100% housebroken and they can bite and be destructive. There is also a body smell to them that a lot of people can't take over time.

Bearded Dragons are people friendly, but they have dietary needs too. They are likely the easiest to care for but they need heat especially in winter.

Can you two try fostering first? Shelters and rescues both need foster homes for temporary placement, it can give you a chance to try things out first.

Will your city allow a chicken?? some do not. They cannot live in the house or be trained to use a particular spot to poop so....

Ferrets a lots of fun though and can be very affectionate and are somewhat trainable. We have had a couple over the years.

Rabbits are great too, as long as you understand they will chew ANYTHING including the wires to expensive electronics when allowed to roam free.

I don't know anything about a bearded dragon.