Breed Temperament

[emsevers]

Last year I got 3 red sex-links when I was just starting out with chickens. I come to find out this year that they are extremely aggressive. I have new babies outside in a penned in area where the red stars can see them and they stop at nothing until they get into their pen and are able to dominate them. I found the 2 month old babies hiding behind the dog house. I'm going to sell these three because I do not want to deal with those kind of issues but now I'm concerned that the other breeds I'm raising might be aggressive as well. I'm going to have Orpingtons, EE's, Wyandottes, Cochins, Welsummers and Faverolles. Are any of these breeds known for being aggressive or can I count on them to have good temperaments?

 

[patyrdz]

I don't know about all of them, but my favorelles are very sweet. My Favorelle Roo is the best with the chicks. He calls to them when he finds food!These are not his chicks, they are chicks I hatch! My hens are sweet, and are really tame!

My cochin roo is good with chickens, but wants to attack me, I guess I should not test him like I do! LOL

 

[Judy]

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

There is lots of variation within breeds, and between hatchery and good breeder chicks. But at least this gives a general idea. Best site I have found so far -- but Ill bet there are others.

 

[becky3086]

I'd say the 2 month olds were too close. I can't explain it but, it is too easy to dominate a small chicken. I would wait until they are almost full grown before I put them anywhere together and then put them together at night. Also, I would not put new roos in the pen.

 

[emsevers]

Thank you guys for the info. I love that chart. A lot of good information. I've moved the babies away from the older ones now so they can't get at them at all. I am hoping I get get things to work a little better for me next time.

 

[slc]

Orpingtons are known to be very docile. Austalorps also considered to be very docile, even the roos from some references.