Australorp or RIR?

[ChickenRush]

We got our first chicks in April of this year but didn’t know what we wanted. We did some research and based on several factors decided to get 10 chicks; 2ea of Polish, Silkie, Marans, Barred Rock, and Australorp. In May we returned the Marans and Barred Rock because they were Roos. We got four more; Ameraucana and RIR. The farm we use has a return policy I like. We had to return a Silkie that turned out to be a Roo. We’re now returning two more Roos (Silkie and Amercauna) and are trying to decide what to get to replace them. We really like the temperaments of the RIR and Australorps. They are fun and curious; they seem to like being handled (but maybe we just didn’t give them a choice by way of how we them ) and they come running when they see us. They actually come running when they see anyone. They’re not even afraid of the dogs.

Here’s the question. Which do we get more of? To recap we currently have two Polish, two Australorp, two Ameraucana, and a RIR. We live outside of Houston - just for reference in case climate sways your vote.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

We got our first chicks in April of this year but didn’t know what we wanted. We did some research and based on several factors decided to get 10 chicks; 2ea of Polish, Silkie, Marans, Barred Rock, and Australorp. In May we returned the Marans and Barred Rock because they were Roos. We got four more; Ameraucana and RIR. The farm we use has a return policy I like. We had to return a Silkie that turned out to be a Roo. We’re now returning two more Roos (Silkie and Amercauna) and are trying to decide what to get to replace them. We really like the temperaments of the RIR and Australorps. They are fun and curious; they seem to like being handled (but maybe we just didn’t give them a choice by way of how we them ) and they come running when they see us. They actually come running when they see anyone. They’re not even afraid of the dogs.

Here’s the question. Which do we get more of? To recap we currently have two Polish, two Australorp, two Ameraucana, and a RIR. We live outside of Houston - just for reference in case climate sways your vote.

How do the others get along with your Polish? That might be your one concern (might.) I’ve read that Polish sometimes are picked on by other breeds, apparently because of their-what ARE they called? Turbans?

Anyway, if that’s not a problem, all I’ve got is that my Buff Orpington reacts most strongly to the heat, while the Barred Rock and Easter Egger are much slower to start panting.

How are your Australorps doing?

 

[Ridgerunner]

What are your goals? Why do you want chickens. What is your criteria? It doesn't matter what I want, what you want is what is important. If you can tell us your criteria and maybe even your options I will try to make suggestions. But without having a clue what you want the best I can do is to link this chart. It only contains certain breeds, many may not be available where you are.

Henderson's Handy Dandy Chicken Chart (sagehenfarmlodi.com)

I'll also include a link to Feathersite which had photos of what some of the breeds should look like.

https://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html#Chickens

 

[Mrs. K]

Oh this is a merry hole to go down. There are so many breed, that even years after joining this forum, I have never heard of.

You might want a white egg laying bird? I am not sure what color the silkie or polish lay. But if they are brown, a white egg will add a pleasing contrast to the brown and colored.

However, I am going to pitch another idea. Don't add anything more this year. While the birds you have now are different in ages by weeks, in a year, they will all be a year old. That might be a good time to add a few more to your set up. I am strongly in favor of a multi-generational flock. So by not filling up your coop this year, you would have space for next year.

Another advantage of waiting, you will see your current chickens as adults. I have had some chickens that I didn't like. As Ridgerunner states, this is really your call. A little experience will help you make a better call.

This is a wonderful hobby - with many incredible aspects, layers, broody hens, incubating, meat birds. You have years to try many of them.

Mrs K

 

[ChickenRush]

How do the others get along with your Polish? That might be your one concern (might.) I’ve read that Polish sometimes are picked on by other breeds, apparently because of their-what ARE they called? Turbans?

Anyway, if that’s not a problem, all I’ve got is that my Buff Orpington reacts most strongly to the heat, while the Barred Rock and Easter Egger are much slower to start panting.

How are your Australorps doing?

The Polish don’t get picked on. Thankfully. I was worried about that once I realized how much smaller they were than the others.

All my chickies seem to be handling the heat well. They have a very cush life. There’s a ceiling fan in the coop. No, they don’t fly into it. We keep bottles of frozen water in their waterer and there is lots and lots of ventilation.

 

[NatJ]

We’re now returning two more Roos (Silkie and Amercauna) and are trying to decide what to get to replace them. We really like the temperaments of the RIR and Australorps.

If you need to exchange two males, and you like two breeds, maybe get one pullet of each?

 

[ChickenRush]

What are your goals? Why do you want chickens. What is your criteria? It doesn't matter what I want, what you want is what is important. If you can tell us your criteria and maybe even your options I will try to make suggestions. But without having a clue what you want the best I can do is to link this chart. It only contains certain breeds, many may not be available where you are.

Henderson's Handy Dandy Chicken Chart (sagehenfarmlodi.com)

I'll also include a link to Feathersite which had photos of what some of the breeds should look like.

https://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html#Chickens

Thanks! This is helpful. I love my babies and treat them as such. I enjoy the different personalities and really like that so far mine all are super social (again, maybe that’s their raising). I’d say my primary goal is pets that will let me be “that crazy chicken lady” complete with chickens in purses and holiday outfits. Secondary for me but top of mind for my husband is eggs!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I’d say my primary goal is pets that will let me be “that crazy chicken lady” complete with chickens in purses and holiday outfits. Secondary for me but top of mind for my husband is eggs!

If you read enough threads on this forum you will find that a chicken of any breed can be an absolute sweetheart or a horrible demon. I consider each chicken an individual with its own personality. That's probably why you like them, each has its own personality. Each breed has its own tendencies but that's just an average. Any one individual can be the total opposite of breed average.

You can play the averages though. I'd suggest going through the Henderson's Breed Chart and determine which you think you like the best. Look at behaviors and egg laying. See what is available that meet your goals. It is a crap shoot but you will have stacked the odds in your favor as much as you can. Another option is as NatJ suggests. If you like certain breeds try them.

I think it will be hard for you to make a bad decision based on breed with as much effort you are putting into it. You may have bad luck with the individual but all you can do is your best. Good luck!

 

[LaFleche]

We really like the temperaments of the RIR and Australorps. They are fun and curious;

Just like your title already suggests.
Maybe get another one of each breed, so at least none of your birds will be the odd one out.