I have 11 Australorp hens on my farm and they are dedicated egg layers. They remain calm and allow me to touch them without much fuss. 4 of my girls are in a run with a Speckled Sussex hen and they 'growl' at me when I come in...not in anger but rather as a way of 'talking'. It's kind of cute and always draws comments from the kids who come out to tour my place. I would definitely get more of these birds!