RIR VS Black Australorp

I don't have nearly the experience as O'Shay does with multiple breeds, but I agree with what he says about RIR's--especially roosters--being on the agressive side. I have a production RIR hen and roo, and the hen is more skidish than my BR or BO ever were. My roo attacks basically anyone besides me, so I have to watch him. That being said, both my RIR's will become submissive when handled (firmly), and do not try and scratch or peck me. Of course, the trick is catching them in the first place! I think this is pretty typical of the breed from what I've read from other members. I'm also raising five chicks from an incubator and the one pure RIR has been the most skidish since birth (but also the biggest and strongest). I think RIR's are simply born with a healthy prey instinct for survival, but that takes some of the fun and "bonding" out of the experience. It makes them excellent free rangers though, especially with a roo.

RIR are bred to be healthy egg layers, and they are, but I sure wouldn't mind birds that are easier to handle so that I could do more health checks. I have heard Black Austrolops are a kinder, gentler breed, which also produce excellent eggs, so they'd probably be more my style. In fact, I am now wondering why BA's aren't more common in the U.S.?

In summary, my point is that all the literature lists RIR's as a docile/friendly breed, but I would classify them as somewhere in the middle based on my experience.

I've had both breeds too, And I will be buying new stock come spring myself. I'm going with the ba's and a few sex links for higher production. I have had rir's from a hatchery and a breeder both and wasn't that impressed. I found that the ba's layed better and were easier going than the rir's especially the roosters although the rir eggs were a little bigger.

I have 2 RIR, 3 BR, 2 BA, and 2 Light brown leghorns. None are mean, but the only 2 that like to be picked up and petted are the barred rock. Got my first eggs today. 5 total. Not sure which layed them yet.