As a child, my family had always had chickens--RIR's--and we had more than our fair share of mean roosters out of them! So, when my city-boy husband said he wouldn't mind some chickens, I said, No RIR's! (Don't hate me all you RIR fans out there--I've just been flogged too many times by RIR roos!) I did a lot of research based on the criteria we agreed on--brown egg layer, cold-hardy, not broody, good temperment. The Doms had all these traits, plus their wonderful, naturally-camoflauged coloring that protects them to some degree from predators, especially flying ones. You would think that a flock of black and white chickens with bright red combs would really stand out on a green lawn, but sometimes they have to move before I see them! We also liked the fact that they are kind of rare now, and that we are preserving a piece of history by having them.
Our roo wasn't mean as a general rule, but began to be overly protective of the food and water. He was very good to his hens, though--letting them have the choicest treats first and putting himself between them and danger (they were all chased by a neighbors dog one day, and I when I caught up to them, our roo was standing between the dog and his hens!).
I don't know if I would describe them as aloof or standoffish. They aren't lapdogs, but if I'm sitting out on my deck--especially if I'm eating something--it won't be long before I have a couple of hens perched on the arms of my chair! We can pick them up and pet them, and if they aren't exactly thrilled by it, they also don't fight or peck you for it either. Our cat is the same way, so....
I'm not sure about classifying their eggs as medium either. I use egg cartons for large eggs, and almost all of our eggs fit the spaces or are even too big for them. They did begin with small eggs, like any new bird does.
Since then, we have gotten a couple of Australorps, whom I am also very fond of, and a Silver-Laced Wyandotte that I am not fond of, as she is a crazy thing that acts like we're trying to eat her every time we come near her. So, I have to say, the Doms are my very favorites.
Our roo wasn't mean as a general rule, but began to be overly protective of the food and water. He was very good to his hens, though--letting them have the choicest treats first and putting himself between them and danger (they were all chased by a neighbors dog one day, and I when I caught up to them, our roo was standing between the dog and his hens!).
I don't know if I would describe them as aloof or standoffish. They aren't lapdogs, but if I'm sitting out on my deck--especially if I'm eating something--it won't be long before I have a couple of hens perched on the arms of my chair! We can pick them up and pet them, and if they aren't exactly thrilled by it, they also don't fight or peck you for it either. Our cat is the same way, so....
I'm not sure about classifying their eggs as medium either. I use egg cartons for large eggs, and almost all of our eggs fit the spaces or are even too big for them. They did begin with small eggs, like any new bird does.
Since then, we have gotten a couple of Australorps, whom I am also very fond of, and a Silver-Laced Wyandotte that I am not fond of, as she is a crazy thing that acts like we're trying to eat her every time we come near her. So, I have to say, the Doms are my very favorites.
