Barred Rocks

[speckledhen]

Barred Rocks are one of the least aggressive birds, not at all to humans. Yes, they hold onto their location in the flock, but to me, that is not aggression. They are not pushovers, in other words. However, they are the most intelligent, curious birds I own and the friendliest other than my BBS Ameraucanas. They are not loud birds, except for on occasion when one particular hen does her "Woody Woodpecker" cackle ad nauseum. I've had them for almost four years and have owned several BR roosters. In fact, the rooster for the main laying flock is a BR and I also have his brother here. Never had one go broody, though there is a rare one that will, I know.

Only my two oldest BR hens are hatchery stock. The rest are 1-3 generations removed from the hatchery.

In my experience, BRs are the best all-round breed for personality and laying ability.

 

[LeBlackbird]

I've had 3 BR hens. From different places. Only one hasn't attacked me.

 

[speckledhen]

I promise you that your experience is highly unusual! Mine are fabulous birds, just awesome. Never had any show any aggression to people.

 

[LeBlackbird]

BR's don't like me

 

[CityClucks]

My parents recently replace their white leghorn roo with a barred rock roo - the leghorn was aggressive and attacked my mom every time she went into the run. The barred rock roos is protective of his girls but has never acted agressively toward people.

My BR girls are also consistent layers. Of my last flock, the BR hen was also the friendliest of the three hens I had - the others were an Australorp and the black Minorca in my avatar.

 

[the4heathernsmom]

mine are great birds the roo is not aggressive my three year old and he play catch me games .... the hens are most reliable on laying and the biggest of my layers in egss that is.....all my hens are tame I have one that is a little stand offish but by no means aggressive in any way now come feeding time they kinda go through the rounds of who is boss with each other and as for noise even my roo isn't really loud unless he is free ranging and the other roos are having a calling competition. If the kids would let me I would go to mostly br but alas we have to have polka dotted and green egg layers and funky chickens too sigh

I would highly recommend them at least a couple for your flock I think you will be pleased. make sure you get them as chicks or if you buy layers buy from someone who spends a little time with them. it has been my experience this really helps on the tameness factor.

 

[nancysmith2]

Again, I appreciate the input. I have not thought about the OPs and by the way what is SLW? I want good layers. Are the OPs good layers? My EE were very quiet babies but they screech. I love them b/c they are very sweet and easy to handle. But oh dear when they want out in the am, they really get loud.

 

[speckledhen]

I have had five SLWs (Silver Laced Wyandotte) and one GLW. They are good layers, but I lost four to internal laying issues (hatchery stock, same hatchery). Three of them were sweet girls, three were a big flighty. Never broody, though.

I have Buff Orpingtons and Blue/Black/Splash Orps. Good layers, with the Buffs seeming to be slightly better. Have had broodies in the Buff and Blue varieties. One blue raised chicks twice this year. The Buffs are friendlier than any Blues I've had, for some reason.

 

[nancysmith2]

Well, thanks again. Great input. I have considered Wyndottes. Did not know much about them except I had heard they were very docile and quiet. Some people have said they do not have much personalilty. We are neighbors by the way I am an Alabamian. I love the northern part of Georgia. It is very pretty. Thanks again

 

[speckledhen]

Hi, neighbor! My Wyandottes were quiet girls, for sure. They were not as super friendly as my BRs, Buff Orps or Ameraucanas, but they were sweet girls. They were fairly bossy in the flock; in fact, when my RIR head hen died last year, one of the older Wyandottes took over as head hen. She died about a month ago and I really miss my Violet. They all were good layers of large to jumbo eggs before their laying apparatus malfunctioned.