Reviews by bullrunslabs

I have had two batches of RIR's. The first batch, while laying great amounts of large brown eggs, they were the worst cannibals I have experienced. They were not friendly, and were very mean to all other birds, however the second batch, which includes a rooster, is quite the opposite. They have been great flock mates, have not picked on anyone, and the rooster is not aggressive. He is persistent in servicing the hens, however he doesn't over do it like some others I have had. These also are very economical and lay well for the amount of food it takes to produce them. They forage well and (so far) have always laid in the coop, so I do not have to search for eggs. I will continue to raise these as long as they are like my second batch.

I have had a variety of wyandottes, and I always will! They are a great duel purpose bird, consistent layers, will go broody, and make excellent mothers. They are intelligent, and quiet, very sweet. I have had problems however, with my blue red laced hens escaping. They come home, unless broody. They lay large amounts of eggs before brooding in my experience. When they have chosen to go broody, they hide their nests VERY well. They are generally predator aware and do well in a variety of climates.

I have 8 hens and 1 rooster. "Red" our rooster, will NOT stay in the coop and run. He will come in to eat and service a few ladies, but chooses to spend his time outside the yard, watching things. He does a wonderful job protecting the hens and chicks from predators. I have mixed breed flock, but find speckled chicks in every flock that has hatched. The hens are a medium sized hen, who lay nice sized eggs for their small body size. They lay consistently, but do go broody. When they go broody, they are very determined to keep their nests. I have had to keep each one on a nest, as they will drive themselves crazy trying to brood. When you disturb them while laying, even when not broody, they let you know they are displeased by squawking at you. When they are not broody, they are some of the sweetest birds I have raised. It catches me off guard every time one jumps on my shoulder! They will sit right next to you, allow the kids to pack them around, and even rub up on our dogs. They are very curious, and will jump in your car or house if you leave a window open.

I have 4 welsummer hens, they were my first to lay, and haven't stopped! They are very smart, the first to use the perch, the first to figure out changes to waterers and feeders. They free range well, but always lay in the coop, so I never have to search for eggs. They lay beautiful, chocolate brown eggs. I often am required to keep them in coop and open topped runs, and have never had one get out when I don't want her to, though she makes it clear she could, if she was so inclined by standing on top of the gate, but never flying over. Over all they have been great ladies!

I have raised buffs, jubilees, lavenders and blue orpingtons. I LOVE all of them, EXCEPT BUFF ROOSTERS! All three of our buff roosters were very aggressive, not only towards the hens, but also to us and our other pets. They would go out of their way to come across the yard and attack you from behind. They would knock down our children, both spurring and pecking. This did come in handy for predators. But they also divided up our flock, only letting the ladies they liked in the coops at night, and chasing everything else out. I now have one buff, who is kept in a coop and pen at all times, for breeding only, as well as a lavender and a jubilee roosters who are able to be with the flock. Neither of these guys are aggressive at all. They allow us to pet them, carrying them around, and have never looked sideways at the kids.

As for the hens, I have never met a sweeter hen. They do get protective of their nests when broody, but it can be broken with work. When allowed to hatch, they are fantastic mothers, my favorites to watch interact with their chicks, especially within the flock. They lay well, all year long, and the winner of my oldest laying hen goes to a buff orpington. When crossed with other breeds, I find these, especially the roosters to be gorgeous! Definitely a must have in my flock!

I have raised Easter Eggers in various climates and they have done well in all. They have been very predator aware, yet seem to remain more friendly than many others. They are consistent layers of good sized eggs, even though they are often smaller bodied than some of my other breeds. When I need to keep them confined to coop and run, they do well, and stay put, which is very important to me. When I allow them to free range, they rarely lay their eggs outside the coop. I do find it disappointing that they are often sold as other breeds by hatcheries, and you may purchase them thinking at all of your birds will lay a certain color or size of egg. As they are crossbred, you may not get the same results with birds from other hatches or hatcheries. With this in mind, I will always have these great little birds around!

The BSL chickens that we have are fairly unsocial birds. Granted we did get them at about 18 weeks. They often hide in the back corner of our large run, away from us. When in the coop, they have been caught pecking feathers off other chickens, enough to make the others bleed. They do lay very nice eggs and are pretty birds. Large bodied with shiny black feathers and a brown to copper brown chest and neck area.

I will always keep barred rocks in my flock! They are great little mommas when they go broody. I have had several who will wander great distances from the coop to hide their nests from the rest of the flock, which could be troublesome in some situations. They will eat right out of our hands and allow the kids to pack them around. We have had some badly pecked by RIR's, and while recovering from her major injury, she still gave us an egg a day. We have never had an aggressive bird to others, however, our "grandma" hen, is getting a little bossy in her old age.

I will always have a few australorps in my flocks. They are great birds, who forage well, and don't wander far. I have never had one who would escape. Very docile, can pet them while laying in the nest. I have had a few picked on and over bred by roosters due to their gentle personalities.