chicken breeds.... especially Buff orpington vs. buff rock

[grullablue]

So, my coop is empty. I gave my chickens away to a friend of mine. I am having surgery on Friday and decided to lessen the load for my hubby with all the chores around here, and maybe redesign my run before adding more chickens. I've been looking at the McMurray Hatchery website (where I got my last flock), and picking out breeds. We have had leghorns (no thanks, too flighty), and our last flock consisted of black australorps, RIRs and Columbian Wyandottes.

I LOVED the australorps and will get more of those. But I'm also looking at getting more of a mixture, and getting a few Delawares (I hear they are GREAT layers of large eggs and have a good disposition), Silver Laced Wyandottes (because they're so pretty, I will admit), maybe a few Easter Eggers, but my real question.... I'm torn between the Buff Orpingtons and Buff Rocks. They seem nearly one in the same. I'm drawn to them simply because of their color. Does one lay better than the other? Is one friendlier than the other?

So my next flock will consist of

Black Australorps (again)
Delaware (just based on what I've read)
Silver Laced Wyandotte (because they're so beautiful)

MAYBE some easter eggers

And either buff orpingtons or buff rocks. I am not one to eat my chickens....they are strictly for enjoyment and eggs.

If anyone has some good or bad info on Delawares, Silver Laced Wyandottes, and know the differences between the two buff breeds, I'd love some input!

Angie

 

[LRH97]

I have two BOs and I have four Barred Rocks (same breed, different feather pattern). I will say that both breeds have a calm disposition and are good layers of nice brown eggs. Based on my experience, my Rocks seem just slightly more nervous than my BOs. Mine are pretty confident for a breed known to be lower in the pecking order. Also, I would look for a Orpington to go broody WAY before I would a Rock. So, if I had to pick, I would choose the Orpingtons for just those few reasons. Oh, and they're so soft and puffy too! However both are good breeds. As for the Wyandottes, I had two Golden Laced (who, unfortunately, was some predator's supper) and they were good layers too. They are attractive birds. I had one that hatched out a clutch of chicks as well.

 

[grullablue]

Thanks for your opinion!! Very helpful!

 

[LRH97]

Glad to help!