Barred Rocks and RIRs in one flock

[Seatrout00]

Hello, I am new to backyard chickens and do not yet have any - still working on my coop. I plan to purchase up to 6 chicks (hens) from my local feed store and wanted to purchase two breeds, some barred rocks and some Rhode Island reds. My question to all of you, chicken enthusiasts, is this - are these two breeds compatible? If not, what breeds would you recommend? I do have my heart set on some rocks but am very flexible with the reds. All advice welcome.

We want good natured and good egg laying hens that can handle the Florida heat.

 

[miss heny]

Yeup they both are! Me personally I don't like either but for some people they adore them

 

[Seatrout00]

Oh? Would you mind explaining why you aren't keen on them? I appreciate all advice. As I said, I'm completely green at this.

 

[miss heny]

For me RiR, at least the hatchery ones are mean devils both the hens and roosters. The hens like to target weaklinks in the flocks which lead to more trouble. Now again this was what I have delt with.

BRs... Honestly I find them boring with their barred colors. The roosters I have had have always ended up attacking me and the hens are lil piggies and again depending on the birds can be rather mean suckers.

BUT I will say this for BRs, hatchery ones are killer layers, I mean killer so that is one thing to look at.

If you still want rocks why not look at the other color types your feed store might provide? some of the other colors may not be as mean...

 

[junebuggena]

We all have our own preferences. Some people adore Barred Rocks or Rhode Island Reds. Some people can't stand them. If you were to ask which breed is the absolute best breed to have, you would get at least 20 different answers.
For every person that has had a mean RIR, there is a person that had a very sweet RIR.
Just keep in mind, it's fairly easy to rehome hens. So if you aren't a fan of one breed or another, you can rehome them and try something else.

 

[miss heny]

pretty much, me personally I love my lil banties haha.

 

[Michael OShay]

Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds are definitely compatible as long as they are not over-crowded. Over-crowding can quickly lead to aggression, fights, biting and feather plucking, and even cannibalism. I personally like Barred Rocks better than RIRs for the reasons miss heny gave. While you can find both sweet and aggressive birds with any breed, I have had more problems with aggression in hatchery quality RIRs than I have with Barred Rocks. If you are wanting very docile birds, I would personally suggest going with breeds that have a well deserved reputation for being calm and gentle (and good layers) such as Australorps, Orpingtons, Brahmas, Sussex, and Faverolles. Of course, even with these breeds, there can always be an exception. If high egg production is a priority, Australorps are the best layers on this list. Whatever breeds you decide to get, good luck with your flock.

 

[Michael OShay]

Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds are definitely compatible as long as they are not over-crowded. Over-crowding can quickly lead to aggression, fights, biting and feather plucking, and even cannibalism. I personally like Barred Rocks better than RIRs for the reasons miss heny gave. While you can find both sweet and aggressive birds with any breed, I have had more problems with aggression in hatchery quality RIRs than I have with Barred Rocks. If you are wanting very docile birds, I would personally suggest going with breeds that have a well deserved reputation for being calm and gentle (and good layers) such as Australorps, Orpingtons, Brahmas, Sussex, and Faverolles. Of course, even with these breeds, there can always be an exception. If high egg production is a priority, Australorps are the best layers on this list. Whatever breeds you decide to get, good luck with your flock.

I forgot to add that Australorps will handle the heat better than any of the other dual purpose breeds including Barred Rocks, RIRs, and the other breeds on my list (not surprising considering Aussies are commonly raised in the Australian outback where summer temperatures get very hot). When temperatures well over 100 F have caused my other dual purpose breeds to become listless, panting, and holding their wings out to their sides, my Australorps have gone about their business like troopers.

 

[Seatrout00]

Wow! I appreciate everyone's advice! While some may think the Barred Rocks are ugly, I find them adorable - go figure, I was always weird. And I hear that RIR are about the best brown egg layers - hard to beat that, I would think. I have also learned that BRs and RIRs are also somewhat bossy - so while I like the idea of the Australorps and Orpingtons (would love to have some of both) I worried that my BRs might be nasty to more docile birds.

As I said, I am flexible on the RIR, but I am absolutely going to get BRs as I have fallen in love with their look and their reputation. My feed store doesn't always know what they will get when they order - they do request certain breeds (usually around the same price range, unless someone special orders) and both Australorps and Orpingtons are possible - I just don't know until they come in - and so that nobody beats on anyone else, I want to get all my hens at the same time. Yes, I figure if I want to rehome a hen, it would be relatively easy - roos not, but I am going to try my best not to get a roo. I am even get two extra chicks so that I for sure, will end up with four hens. (at least I hope so) I am aiming to get six chicks, hoping to end up with four healthy hens - giving myself room since sexing is only 90% accurate and chicks can die easily.

 

[Michael OShay]

Wow! I appreciate everyone's advice! While some may think the Barred Rocks are ugly, I find them adorable - go figure, I was always weird. And I hear that RIR are about the best brown egg layers - hard to beat that, I would think. I have also learned that BRs and RIRs are also somewhat bossy - so while I like the idea of the Australorps and Orpingtons (would love to have some of both) I worried that my BRs might be nasty to more docile birds.

Barred Rocks are a very dependable breed and I agree with you that they are very pretty chickens. And in my personal experience they are docile enough to mix well with breeds like Australorps and Orpingtons if you want to get some of those as well. Of course there is always going to be a pecking order with any breeds, mixed or not.