Columbian Barred Rock? Usually cranky or mine special???

[Casastash]

so we have had these ladies almost a year and.... we hate them!!!! I feel horrible for saying it but they are just mean, cranky and loud. I wouldn’t even say broody because they are like this everywhere, ranging, in the coop and nesting.

Is this a breed that is typically cranky?

We got an arrangement of birds when we decided to start up. RIR, Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorp and the Columbians... so far great layers but they need to go lol

Are these dual purpose birds? Can they be soup?

I feel horrible but they just aren’t jiving with the other hens or us!

 

[Gray Farms]

No such breed as Columbian Barred Rocks. Post pic if you can so that we know what breed you are actually dealing with. And bird can be soup though.

 

[junebuggena]

You mean Columbian Rocks or Barred Rocks? Two different varieties of the same breed. Regardless, Rocks tend to be very inquisitive, active birds that really need their elbow room. They need to be kept busy or their dominant natures can lead them to be overly agressive. And they do tend to be very vocal.

 

[Casastash]

They are a cross between the two, I believe not 100% sure but what I was told

 

[Casastash]

I believe the rooster was a Barred and the hen was Columbian

 

[junebuggena]

Can you post pictures of your setup and the birds? We may be able to sort out the problem.

 

[lazy gardener]

More info please: age of birds, exact dimensions of their coop/run. How many birds in flock? What are they on for feed including protein content, and mill date. How often do you let them out to range?

 

[Casastash]

L

We have 11 birds housed in 2 flocks 6 & 5. They’re winter “coops” are 10x8 box stalls. They typically roost on the top at night but in the stalls there are kennels and traditional nesting boxes. 2 feeders and 2 waters in each stall. They are let out into the barn which is 50x30 ft and there is a chicken door ( meant for the cats but the chickens use) for them to get outside. There is also a perch in each stall.

We have tried switching around the birds and they pick on whoever they are with.

 

[Casastash]

They are currently housed with 3 black australorps. They are on 19% layer feed. The have the option to go out everyday but are kicked outside when we deep clean once a week.

 

[Gray Farms]

You've got Columbian Rocks. Like junebuggena stated, Rocks are very active birds and boredom can lead to aggressive actions.