Buff Orpingtons or Barred Rocks?

[papileo]

I want to hear your opinions on which breed is the overall best and why (HENS ONLY

)

Which is the most beautiful chicken?

Which is the better egg layer?

Who's eggs are bigger?

Which is the most loving and sweet chicken?

Which is the bossier chicken?

Which makes the best pet?

Which makes the best multi-use chicken?

Which is the most broody?

Comment your experiences with both breeds!
Give the opportunity to the ones who want to get either one of them or both to get to know them and have a better understanding on which is the right one for them.

Thanks to all who comment!

Im trying to learn about both also !

 

[Michael OShay]

I've raised many Buff Orpingtons and Barred Rocks over the past 50 years, and based on my personal experience, here are my answers to your questions:

Which is the most beautiful chicken? This is really a matter of personal preference. I personally prefer the Buff Orpingtons, especially if they are good quality. Those golden feathers are gorgeous.

Which is the better egg layer? The lay rate of both breeds has been about the same for me (3-4 eggs per week per hen).

Who's eggs are bigger? Both of them lay large eggs, but the Barred Rock eggs have tended to run slightly larger.

Which is the most loving and sweet chicken? No contest here; my Barred Rocks have typically been docile, but my Buff Orpingtons have been as friendly and gentle as any of the dozens of breeds that I've ever had. I've never had an aggressive BO and my children and granddaughter have easily made lap pets of my Buff Orpingtons.

Which is the bossier chicken? My Barred Rocks have been the bossier of the two breeds and are typically higher up in the pecking order.

Which makes the best pet? My Buff Orpingtons have made the better pets for the reasons I gave in the fourth question.

Which makes the best multi-use chicken? I'd call it even here. The lay rate of both breeds are about the same and both are nice sized birds for eating. While Barred Rock eggs tend to be slightly larger, Buff Orpingtons are generally better brooders and mothers if you want to hatch and raise chicks.

Which is the most broody? Buff Orpingtons tend to go broody more often than Barred Rocks.

I want to hear your opinions on which breed is the overall best and why (HENS ONLY

) While both are great breeds, overall I prefer Buff Orpingtons for the reasons I gave in my answers to your eight questions. I rated the Buff Orpingtons superior on five of the eight questions (if you count the bossiest question as a negative which I do). I only rated the Barred Rocks superior on one of the eight questions, and I rated the two breeds even on two of the eight questions.

 

[Bratty477]

I think they're both equally good to have! Have both! My two are so different and yet so equally enjoyable that it's hard to say which I like better. The golden feathers of the Orpington are indeed beautiful but the pattern on the Barred Rock's feathers are interesting as well. I think it truly depends on your individual preferences. In my flock, the barred rock is the most docile and friendly. The barred rock's eggs have consistently been larger but for those people who like the smaller yolk, I think the Orpington's eggs would be preferable.

 

[Alexandra33]

We have 3 Barred Rocks and 1 Buff right now, and as far as looks go, Buff Orpingtons are by far the more beautiful of the two. Those bright golden feathers shimmer in the sun, whereas the Barred Rocks (to me, anyway) are a little more on the dull side.

We get about 4 eggs per week from both breeds, making them comparable layers; also, ours lay about the same sized egg at this point although I expect the Rocks' to outsize the Buff's in time, since they have only been laying for about a month.

Personality-wise, I HIGHLY favor the Barred Rocks' temperaments almost over any of the 25 chickens we have. They are extremely friendly, curious, cuddly, docile, and just plain adorable! Not to mention, of course, that their voices are akin to a dinosaur's and very comical. The Buff is also very docile and makes a good pet for children, since they allow anybody to carry them around and hug them (even if they really don't enjoy it).

Although neither of the two breeds has been broody at this point, I would say that BO's have a reputation of being especially broody and turn out to be great mothers.

I have never eaten either of the two breeds, as ours are strictly for laying purposes only. We DO have a Barred Rock that is close in mass to a Thanksgiving turkey, and she would probably make an amazing meal! But she's way too sweet to ever even THINK about eating.....

In conclusion, I think you would do well to try one of each breed and see what you like! Personally, whatever the Barred Rocks don't have in beauty traits-which is the Buff Orpington's strong point-they make up for in personality. You are hard-pressed to find such wonderful, amazing pets in any other breed but the Barred Rock.

 

[TBirdsTheWord33]

We have 3 Barred Rocks and 1 Buff right now, and as far as looks go, Buff Orpingtons are by far the more beautiful of the two. Those bright golden feathers shimmer in the sun, whereas the Barred Rocks (to me, anyway) are a little more on the dull side.

We get about 4 eggs per week from both breeds, making them comparable layers; also, ours lay about the same sized egg at this point although I expect the Rocks' to outsize the Buff's in time, since they have only been laying for about a month.

Personality-wise, I HIGHLY favor the Barred Rocks' temperaments almost over any of the 25 chickens we have. They are extremely friendly, curious, cuddly, docile, and just plain adorable! Not to mention, of course, that their voices are akin to a dinosaur's and very comical. The Buff is also very docile and makes a good pet for children, since they allow anybody to carry them around and hug them (even if they really don't enjoy it).

Although neither of the two breeds has been broody at this point, I would say that BO's have a reputation of being especially broody and turn out to be great mothers.

I have never eaten either of the two breeds, as ours are strictly for laying purposes only. We DO have a Barred Rock that is close in mass to a Thanksgiving turkey, and she would probably make an amazing meal! But she's way too sweet to ever even THINK about eating.....

In conclusion, I think you would do well to try one of each breed and see what you like! Personally, whatever the Barred Rocks don't have in beauty traits-which is the Buff Orpington's strong point-they make up for in personality. You are hard-pressed to find such wonderful, amazing pets in any other breed but the Barred Rock.

I am in 100% agreement with Alexandra33. I have both breeds, and though I love them both dearly, I definitely favor my Barred Rocks. Their endearing voices and sweet personalities can melt a heart of stone! That being said, Michael OShay has raised chickens FAR longer and is INFINITELY more experienced than I am, so his comparison of the two breeds is invaluable. The way I see it is, life is short, so try them both! I think these breeds are FANTASTIC choices for a new chicken keeper!

 

[Michael OShay]

Michael OShay has raised chickens FAR longer and is INFINITELY more experienced than I am, so his comparison of the two breeds is invaluable. The way I see it is, life is short, so try them both! I think these breeds are FANTASTIC choices for a new chicken keeper!

Aw, shucks, you're making me blush. ) I think Alexandra33's idea of getting some of each is a very good one unless there is some reason that papileo just doesn't want to do so.

 

[papileo]

Wow very nice! i totally agree with you ! Loved the post and how you answered every question

x2!

 

[papileo]

I think they're both equally good to have! Have both! My two are so different and yet so equally enjoyable that it's hard to say which I like better. The golden feathers of the Orpington are indeed beautiful but the pattern on the Barred Rock's feathers are interesting as well. I think it truly depends on your individual preferences. In my flock, the barred rock is the most docile and friendly. The barred rock's eggs have consistently been larger but for those people who like the smaller yolk, I think the Orpington's eggs would be preferable.

Thank you ! and beautiful chickens you got there!

 

[papileo]

We have 3 Barred Rocks and 1 Buff right now, and as far as looks go, Buff Orpingtons are by far the more beautiful of the two. Those bright golden feathers shimmer in the sun, whereas the Barred Rocks (to me, anyway) are a little more on the dull side.

We get about 4 eggs per week from both breeds, making them comparable layers; also, ours lay about the same sized egg at this point although I expect the Rocks' to outsize the Buff's in time, since they have only been laying for about a month.

Personality-wise, I HIGHLY favor the Barred Rocks' temperaments almost over any of the 25 chickens we have. They are extremely friendly, curious, cuddly, docile, and just plain adorable! Not to mention, of course, that their voices are akin to a dinosaur's and very comical. The Buff is also very docile and makes a good pet for children, since they allow anybody to carry them around and hug them (even if they really don't enjoy it).

Although neither of the two breeds has been broody at this point, I would say that BO's have a reputation of being especially broody and turn out to be great mothers.

I have never eaten either of the two breeds, as ours are strictly for laying purposes only. We DO have a Barred Rock that is close in mass to a Thanksgiving turkey, and she would probably make an amazing meal! But she's way too sweet to ever even THINK about eating.....

In conclusion, I think you would do well to try one of each breed and see what you like! Personally, whatever the Barred Rocks don't have in beauty traits-which is the Buff Orpington's strong point-they make up for in personality. You are hard-pressed to find such wonderful, amazing pets in any other breed but the Barred Rock.

I like your opinion on both breeds! Yes i will definitely try both breeds, and who knows, maybe i will love them equally

Yes i especially love the golden feathers and puffy look to them!
Oh and what about size ? which is bigger? How old are your hens?

 

[papileo]

Aw, shucks, you're making me blush. ) I think Alexandra33's idea of getting some of each is a very good one unless there is some reason that papileo just doesn't want to do so.

I love both breeds they are very beautiful!
I would like to others opinions on both, wether one chooses BO's of Buffs everyone has their own experiences with each breed

I think its fun to know each ones take.

Choosing both is what i had in mind, after all they are my favorite breeds!