Chicken Breeds

[Calm Creek Chickens]

I am going to get different chickens than before due to availability. I was thinking about getting from MC Murray hatchery and want to get to 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Barred Rocks, and 2 Rhode Island Reds was curios if the hatchery was good and if all those chickens where quite and friendly non-bullying chickens that would make a nice set. I have done some research just wanted a good second opinion thank you.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hope you're enjoying BYC!

Mc Murray is a fine choice. There are other good choices like Cackle.

When folks describe chickens as "friendly" they mean towards humans ultimately.

You decipher that you mean non bullying.. towards one another.. I will say that all 3 breeds are bossy towards flock mates (in my experience) but should be equally matched among each other, or yes, probably "a nice set" (and lovely too). I personally prefer EE over BO, though maybe not as equally matched in the bossy department, they still fare well.

Quite can vary so much by individual.. I've had the loudest Orpington (lav) ever, and a barred Rock hen that eventually starting crowing (pathetically) on occasion. But most of them sing the egg song and often in unison.

A nice breed comparison chart that includes some personal experience notations..

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

Happy adventures!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I decided to comment because this is exactly what I got for my 2nd flock many years ago. My first flock had been all RIR's. My opinion is that yes, this is a lovely mix, no reason not to go with it. Now that I'm on my 10th flock I've had almost every breed out there and that's how you really find out what breeds you prefer. I can tell you that of the 3, I personally don't get RIR's anymore because I've had to many turn out aggressive. I can also tell you that for as long as I've been doing this, I had no idea that there were people who really don't like BO's. It's weird to me to truly despise any breed or color when ultimately they're all just chickens. Go for it!!

 

[WIchickMama]

I have a BR that I love. She is very talkative/vocal and higher up on the pecking order- #2 hen, but I wouldn't consider her a bully. She does peck at other hen's feet at night if they are in her roosting spot, but all my girls do that. She allows us all to hold her and is one of the more friendly chickens in our flock.