Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[smhoekzema]

Rea

I'd say that what I've read about RIR:s, in general they're considered nastier than many other breeds, but many people have very people friendly RIR:s too. I'm guessing it's a bit of a stereotype - in reality the birds are individuals and the surroundings they're kept in probably affect their behavioral development too. This isn't based on any personal experience with the breed. What I can say from personal experience, is that Sussexes, which everyone says are people friendly and great birds, are very nasty birds in my opinion. Mean to other birds, and afraid of people.

Really? My Sussex is a sweetheart! Almost bottom of pecking order and loves her cuddles. I'd say it's partially in the breeding and mostly in the raising. My Australorps are the nastiest. Like a little gang. You should go and spend some time with them and see before you decide.

 

[vehve]

Rea

Really? My Sussex is a sweetheart! Almost bottom of pecking order and loves her cuddles. I'd say it's partially in the breeding and mostly in the raising. My Australians are the nastiest. Like a little gang. You should go and spend some time with them and see before you decide.

Yeah, our two just don't fit the norm. They were incubator raised, and saw a lot of handling as chicks, but still, they turned out to be the bullies of the flock. The rest of our birds have had a more complicated pecking order, it seems to be a system where the relationship between two birds in no way affects any other relationship, I can't see a clear pattern of who would be alpha among them all. You could take three birds, A, B and C, and A could be submissive to B, B to C and C to A. But the Sussexes are just mean to everyone, while all the others get along in a civil manner. The Sussexes aren't dominant though, they can get pecked too, but they seem to seek out confrontation, while all our other birds don't seem to have such a need. So not a breed I like.

 

[smhoekzema]

Yeah, our two just don't fit the norm. They were incubator raised, and saw a lot of handling as chicks, but still, they turned out to be the bullies of the flock. The rest of our birds have had a more complicated pecking order, it seems to be a system where the relationship between two birds in no way affects any other relationship, I can't see a clear pattern of who would be alpha among them all. You could take three birds, A, B and C, and A could be submissive to B, B to C and C to A. But the Sussexes are just mean to everyone, while all the others get along in a civil manner. The Sussexes aren't dominant though, they can get pecked too, but they seem to seek out confrontation, while all our other birds don't seem to have such a need. So not a breed I like.

Yes three of our girls seem to have that harmonious relationship going on. My poor frizzle is definitely at the bottom in their eyes. The Sussex is bullied by everyone including the tiny frizzle despite being significantly larger than all of them. She's just a big push over!

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Quote:
Wyandottes are wonderful.
I really don't think a female chicken is going to hurt even a 5 year old. The worst it can do is if at feeding time if they are especially hungry they may peck her feet or hands if she is holding food.

 

[Nu2chooks15]

Okay, thank you everyone for your responses. I can see now that a lot of it is the hens themselves but that overall Wyandottes are probably going to be more suitable in the beginning. So, I will change things around and just get 1/2 of them to be Brown Isa's and 1/2 Wyandottes (if I can).

Back to being excited rather than apprehensive thanks to getting all the responses and being able to make a more informed decision. I like the RIR's but will probably leave them until next time when I get more eventually (and I'm a more experienced owner).

 

[appps]

Just finished 5 days work experience at Sydneys Taronga Zoo which was amazing.
They had 'Red Jungle Fowl' at the zoo. Does anyone know if they actually would be RJF?! To me they just look like red brested game fowl. I'll upload some photos later.
I thought we didn't have any in Aus!?

That would be pretty cool

 

[birdman55]

hope everyone has a wonderful day...going to pick up some new birds tomorrow and then Monday birds are going to be getting dropped off...so cant wait

 

[Fancychooklady]

Peekaboo! Fancy, these being Marans crosses (wheaten and cuckoo in the mix), what do you think of the difference in comb development between the dark and light ones? Here's a pic of Flappy, our patient, also taken today. While the combs on the light ones are pretty developed, the difference in comparison to the dark ones makes me rethink by guess of everyone being a boy. And Tandy, nice to hear you got that mess cleared up. I agree, call them and ask them what laws they think apply. I don't see how basic wound care could be considered illegal - except for maybe the use of certain medications that might be banned from poultry use (my anti-antibiotic rant is almost starting again ).

Hey Felix, while I'm not very familiar with Marans, I'd expect to see more wattle action . In my sussex the hens combs are sometimes as big as the Roos but the early wattles and redness always gives them away. Satay or Ben would probably have a better idea.

 

[satay]

Hi, can anyone answer this.  

While out at dinner tonight some were saying how mean nasty and down right cantankerous RIR's are.  Now as I'm just getting over my issue with birds/chickens I thought I'd ask elsewhere in case they were just teasing me not realising my previous experience.  All the information I've seen shows the hens as being people friendly (not necessarily the roos).  

Hoping to get unbiased info here as I'd rather know beforehand as I can change my order (as it's family) and not get them if there's any chance they'll get mean/nasty pecking at me. 

Thanking you all in advance.

I have a pair of rir girls and a rooster. They are not nasty at all.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Okay, thank you everyone for your responses.  I can see now that a lot of it is the hens themselves but that overall Wyandottes are probably going to be more suitable in the beginning.  So, I will change things around and just get 1/2 of them to be Brown Isa's and 1/2 Wyandottes (if I can).  

Back to being excited rather than apprehensive thanks to getting all the responses and being able to make a more informed decision.  I like the RIR's but will probably leave them until next time when I get more eventually (and I'm a more experienced owner).

Be sure to sit with your birds when you get them. I have a bench seat in with my youngsters and encourage them to sit with me for treats. I can honestly say that the birds that I haven't taken the time with tend to be stand -offish and aloof.