Barred Rock or RIR/Black australorp which would you choose.

[Artichoke Lover]

A friend of mine who has had hens for a long time has decide she wants a rooster and I’m giving her one of mine she has a flock of Black Australorps and the roosters she’s choosing between are a Barred Barred and Rhode Island Red. And I was wondering if one would be a better choice and if so why? My main concern would be the chicks they would produce if a BR/BA cross is better or RIR/BA. All of the roosters are the same age and have a good temperament.

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

Black Barred over Black will make black barred chicks, Red over Black I think would just make black, so besides that I think it'd just be personal preference? Which boy she likes more? How old are they, sometimes attitude can change with age, but who knows : D I imagine both pairings would make chicks who are decent layers and also reach a decent weight

 

[Artichoke Lover]

Black Barred over Black will make black barred chicks, Red over Black I think would just make black, so besides that I think it'd just be personal preference? Which boy she likes more? How old are they, sometimes attitude can change with age, but who knows : D I imagine both pairings would make chicks who are decent layers and also reach a decent weight

They are almost a year. I just know certain crosses are more desirable than others and I didn’t know if that was true in this case.

 

[spartacus_63]

The deciding factor for me depend on what she wants them for? If eggs is the driver, go with the RIR. If she just wants chickens, the Barred Rocks are a little hardier in my experience, but both are great breeds.