Barred Rocks and RIRs in one flock

So I've been reading up on Australorps and I like them! A lot! Maybe more than what I've read on RIRs. So my preferred breeds have now changed from BRs and RIRs to BRs and Australorps! Going to request them at my local feed store, I have no idea how common they are. I'll keep you all informed as to what I get next month.

Australorps are a very popular choice for backyard flocks. Most feed stores will have them available at least once or twice during the chick season. Other breeds that are commonly available from feed stores are Easter Eggers (often labeled as Ameraucana), red sexlinks, black sexlinks, Production Reds, Orpingtons, and Wyandottes. All are good producers and get along well, for the most part.

I have a young mixed flock of 2 Barred Rock, 2 Silver Laced Wyandotte and 2 Buff Orpingtons, plus 1 Buff Orpington Cockerel. I ordered them as day old chicks from a hatchery so they have grown up together. So far they have gotten along well. Each one definitely has a unique personality, but I have found that the BR even as day olds were friendly and rambunctious. One of my BR is the top girl, she's not overly aggressive, usually the stink eye works very well.The other BR is friendly to everyone. They are talkative and curious. One BO is shy and sweet, the other is a character, her name is Lucy, she is a bit smaller than the others but has a bit of spunk and devilment in her that is just charming. The Wyandottes are pretty (I think, even though they are hatchery) and chatty. I originally wanted Australorpes, but the hatchery didn't have them when I was ready for my chicks, so I got BR instead. I have enjoyed ALL of them immensely.

As said in the previous posts, it really is up to you. If you really want BR go for it. Just don't be surprised when you want MORE!

Wyorp Rock said:

As said in the previous posts, it really is up to you. If you really want BR go for it. Just don't be surprised when you want MORE!

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Oh yes! I already want more! Ha! I started out thinking that I could only have four hens in my city - then found out my city doesn't have a limit and those were county regulations (the four hens) and that my city laws trump my county laws, so I really could, legally, have more! I've gone from four, to getting five chicks as insurance, to getting six chicks as insurance! And that's as far as I think I'll go - otherwise I'd need a larger coop. My heart is set on three Austs and three BRs ... and if I had my druthers, I'd have about 15 and have some RIRs and Orps as well. Not to mention several more acres of land. Oh, and a milk cow ... might as well go big while I'm dreaming!

Seatrout00 said:

Oh yes! I already want more! Ha! I started out thinking that I could only have four hens in my city - then found out my city doesn't have a limit and those were county regulations (the four hens) and that my city laws trump my county laws, so I really could, legally, have more! I've gone from four, to getting five chicks as insurance, to getting six chicks as insurance! And that's as far as I think I'll go - otherwise I'd need a larger coop. My heart is set on three Austs and three BRs ... and if I had my druthers, I'd have about 15 and have some RIRs and Orps as well. Not to mention several more acres of land. Oh, and a milk cow ... might as well go big while I'm dreaming!

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Sounds like a good plan!

Ahh...I would LUV to have one of those miniature cows?!? Just for the cuteness factor alone.

Seatrout00 said:

So I've been reading up on Australorps and I like them! A lot! Maybe more than what I've read on RIRs. So my preferred breeds have now changed from BRs and RIRs to BRs and Australorps! Going to request them at my local feed store, I have no idea how common they are. I'll keep you all informed as to what I get next month.

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I think you'll be very happy with the Australorps. They are a wonderful breed; extremely hardy, calm and gentle (great lap pets), and excellent layers of large brown eggs.

We dropped by the feed store today to replace our request for RIRs to Austs ... the owner seemed to think they would be fairly easy to get ahold of. Barred Rocks are a common breed at the feed store, so hopefully, next month, they will get these two breeds.