barred rocks

[jersy87]

Hi,
I have some barred rocks on order but wanted all of your opinions on them. Are they a friendly breed? Are they big?


Currently I have:
3 Rhode Island Reds
4 Golden Comets
2 Wynodotte/Astralorp/Buff Orpington cross
2 wynodotte/astralorp/buff orpington cross roosters


I want to get some americanua either this year as well or next year. Would it be best if I got all my chicks are once and introducted them at the same time???

 

[GardenWeasel]

I love my Barred Rocks. They are friendly and have soft voices. They are a year old and good layers. The smallest one follows me every where, sometimes a good thing, in the garden not so good. They are medium sized, my Astralorps are much bigger.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

If you want them for the colored eggs, I would just get them now. Why raise babies twice?
I think you won't be unsatisfied with the Barred Rocks. They will be bigger than your RIRs and will lay well. Also, you can breed them with a RIR roo and have some sexed linked chicks. I think I would like a few for that purpose later on. I have had them in the past and consider them a good investment.

 

[speckledhen]

Most Barred Rocks are very friendly, curious, intelligent and fabulous layers. I've had about a dozen, plus several roosters. They are my favorite breed, actually. I have a small BR hen, but most of them are pretty hefty, though not as large as an Orpington.

Introducing new birds is best when they are about the same size. It can be done and they'll work out a new pecking order amongst themselves.


ETA: Mine are actually friendlier than any of my Orpingtons, whether blue or buff.

 

[crittersitter]

I LOVE my barred rock!!! She is so gentle and sweet, comes running when I call her! She's only 12 weeks old right now so i can't help you out with size but i would get 100 Barred rocks if I could!

 

[angelique_redhead]

I love my barred rocks even if one is a diva. She also lays XL eggs.

: Angelique

 

[Shifty Joe]

Barreds are a good stable breed, i would recommend them to anyone as a started bird. Not as friendly as Orpingtons, but still good birds. I hate merging new birds into existing flocks, so if your going to add additional new ones I would say do it all in one go.

 

[mayberrygirl]

My barred rock is the lovey baby, LOL. She is 7 weeks, greets me in the coop, clucks at me, wants held & petted between the wings (her sweet spot).

 

[Wheels]

Great news for me. I have 28 comming tomorrow.

 

[Gonzo]

I have a barred rock hen, and yes, I do love her! She's a sweet curious smart bird. She can be loud though... Pricilla gets mad when there are others in her nesting box... (there's more than enough, everyone seem to like this certain one) and will stand outside it and made this noise that sounds like a witch laughing... its pretty funny. And I said she's smart.. everyday she gets out of the run, and when she gets caught, she'll hurry up and get back in. its funny to play with her that way! I hear her, and I'll go out and hollar "Pricilla! Get your butt back to the coop!" and her she comes! Runs right back over, and over the fence she hoops!