Barred Rock Hen or Rooster?

[ShrekDawg]

He is willing to trade.  He has another Rhode Island and sever buff orpington hens of about the same age.  Guess I have to decide which one would work best for us.

That's great! It looks like you already have some reds? If it was me, since I love variety, I'd probably go with the buffs, but both are great breeds. I have 1 Barred Rock, 2 Black Australorps, 3 Buff Orpingtons, and 2 Easter Eggers, and I love them all but I just love my Barred Rock and the Orpingtons. My EEs and BR seem to have the most personality (although one EE is skittish/shy), but the Orps have a lot of personality too and are the friendliest. I love them. I think you should try them but the RIRs are great birds too so whatever works. maybe you could get one of each?

 

[Mcgrew]

That's great! It looks like you already have some reds? If it was me, since I love variety, I'd probably go with the buffs, but both are great breeds. I have 1 Barred Rock, 2 Black Australorps, 3 Buff Orpingtons, and 2 Easter Eggers, and I love them all but I just love my Barred Rock and the Orpingtons. My EEs and BR seem to have the most personality (although one EE is skittish/shy), but the Orps have a lot of personality too and are the friendliest. I love them. I think you should try them but the RIRs are great birds too so whatever works. maybe you could get one of each?

We were concerned that the buffs have lower egg output from what I have read. Is that the case? These are partially pets and to teach responsibility to my kids but I also want plenty of eggs.

 

[ShrekDawg]

We were concerned that the buffs have lower egg output from what I have read.  Is that the case?  These are partially pets and to teach responsibility to my kids but I also want plenty of eggs.

Hmm, people say they can lay less and I guess sometimes they do but I haven't really noticed it. In the summer we get between 5-7 eggs a day (my one EE is being bullied and doesn't lay right now, hoping to fix that) and right now we're only getting 2-4 but my Orps are some of my only ones laying! I think there is one or two Orpingtons, an Australorp, and I think the Rock is finally laying again and the other EE. So I haven't really noticed any lower production and found them to be just as good layers as anyone else, even beating the Australorp at times, and really friendly