Best breed to go with Rhode Island Red Flock?

[SandyRiverChick]

A friend of mine has BRs and got two RIRs and two austrlorps will they do ok?

It's anyone's guess. My gut feeling is the Australorps might be jumped (literally that is what my RIR's did, that getting on the back and beating the crap out of the others thing,) by the RIR's.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

My RIR flock has a lone Barred Rock hen amongst them with no issues.

(She’s my broody. I’m impatiently waiting for a RIR to go broody)

 

[K0k0shka]

My RIR flock has a lone Barred Rock hen amongst them with no issues.

(She’s my broody. I’m impatiently waiting for a RIR to go broody)

Being broody reshuffles the pecking order, sometimes permanently. The broody gets an extra kick of bravery from the instinct to protect the eggs and chicks, and will stand up to bullies the way she doesn't do under normal circumstances. She may keep her new status after she's no longer broody. And if she's broody often, it will reinforce her elevated status. I have a serial broody Barnevelder who started out at the bottom of the pecking order with her twin sister, but after I let her raise chicks once, she grew some serious and rose in rank significantly. She is broody often and I let her raise chicks every year (she's on her 3rd brood now) and she kept her new rank. Her twin sister is still bossed by everybody, including the new chicks who are grown up now, but this hen doesn't take from anybody now, broody or not.

 

[sammi_lynn12]

I have barred rocks, australorps, buff orpingtons, and speckled sussex with mine. My RIR are the more dominant ones and do mount my others to assert dominance. If I am out there I immediately make my RIR's submit and pick them up when they act like that.

They only do it occasionally and when I am out there they do it very rarely now. Other than those few disputes they all get along pretty well. The others have learned to also just give the RIR space.

 

[Pipica]

I have my RIRs with Barred Rocks and everybody gets along great!

Yes, great but rocks are not pushovers … they can be bossy (at least mine always are).

 

[HumbleAmerican]

I just recently learned RIR were aggressive compared to others.

I’ve had EE’s, Delawares, one polish crazy hen, and my barred rocks and RIR’s are by far better than any I’ve had so far. Granted, only been at it for a short bit…. But the RIRs even like the dog.

 

[Chicken_man_J]

I have a 1 RIR, 2 Buffs, 3 Silver Laced Wyandottes, 1 Barnevelder, 1 Plymouth Bar Rock, 1 Red Sex Link. They're sometimes aggressive towards the Bar Rock but she is the smartest and fastest hen I have. I'd say out of my flock, the RIR and Barnevelder are the very hardy.

 

[Drumming feet]

Hi! We have a flock of 10 RIR. About 7 weeks old. We would like to add to the flock in the future but I'd like to know what your opinions are on the best breeds to add with them. Thanks!

Don't like white Plymouth go with them? Is some other ones like a Deleware or New Hampshire?

 

[Red Mangrove]

I have six RIR and six RIR / American Game crosses in my free-range flock. They're all very polite to every breed here they interact with (American game, red junglefowl, brahma/orpington cross)

I don't believe I've ever seen a RIR bully anyone. They're just social animals that want to be in everyone's business

 

[HumbleAmerican]

I have six RIR and six RIR / American Game crosses in my free-range flock. They're all very polite to every breed here they interact with (American game, red junglefowl, brahma/orpington cross)

I don't believe I've ever seen a RIR bully anyone. They're just social animals that want to be in everyone's business

And really like to know if you have treats on that plate….. or in your pockets…… or wherever your headed may have treats.

My most well mannered rooster is a RIR too.