best choice for black hen

[donrae]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I looked up the Australorp and it is a gorgeorus bird. Definitly going for the barred rocks as my husband really likes them. Is it better to get them locally or order chicks? I worry about them getting here safely if I order them. Not going for breeding or show birds although we have two nice seabrites, just love chickens.

I'm with Lady on this one..I like to get them from the feed store if I'm looking for a common breed. Some chicks just plain don't survive the shipping, and this way the feed store gets to absorb those and I don't have dead chicks. I get them when they're a few days old, so they've already survived the danger period and are usually pretty healthy. Plus, it gives the feed store business, and I'm usually there anyway--gotta buy feed, you know

You don't say what kind of rooster you have, but some gold/buff roosters make beautiful sex link chicks with your barred rock hens. The black on your Aussie hens will pretty much give you black chicks, both genders.

 

[GalloSiSupieras]

I don't know anything about color inheritance, but we've loved having a flock of Australorps. Black Orpingtons are another pretty one to consider, if you like their big fluffy shape and don't mind the broodiness.