Barred Rock Second Thoughts

[TheBanditQueen]

My two Barred Rock hens were feed store (hatchery) chicks. I love them to pieces. They are stacks more people-friendly than my 3 Buff Orpingtons, even though I hand-raised all 5 from the start the same way. Go figure. My Barred Rock rooster (from Ideal hatchery) will sometimes get a little testy, but all it takes is a cross-eyed look from me and he gets back in line. (I know you weren't talking about roosters; just thought I would mention.)

My chickens have the run of my 10 acres during the day, so I don't see very many squabbles, but the Buff Orpingtons seem to be higher in the pecking order, even though I thought it would be the other way around. I guess I'll be the exception to the "rule".

Anyway, I love my Rockies.

 

[lovemy6hens]

Making over generalized statements about birds and their possible temperament based solely on "breed" is one of the most widely held myths in this hobby.  This is a commonly held misconception. 

Agreed.

Their personalities also change as time goes by, just like people. Their interactions also vary depending on which chicken or which human they're with and that changes with time too.

 

[jane s chickens]

I have had a BR hen along with an EE hen and a production red hen for 2 years. They have always gotten along even when I put a roo in coop so I could hatch eggs. They laid 2-3 eggs every day until December when they molted for the first time and all quit laying. I like the BR so much that I ordered 8 more from Ideal Poultry in October and hope they will be laying by May. My grandkids love to have eggs for breakfast when they spend the night. BRs lay medium size tan eggs and are confined in the coop all the time. I hope to start free ranging them in the spring since I am here full time.