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

[Gray Farms]

Trying hanging something for them to pick at. Such as a head of cabbage or lettuce. Or whiffle ball with treats in it that they'll have to kick around to get their treats.

 

[junebuggena]

Columbian Rocks. Looks like they are more mature than the other birds, which could be behind some of the behavior. Also, your setup is unbelievably boring. Nothing to do other than eat, sleep, and lay. You've got nothing to even simulate foraging. Making their environment more interesting will go a long way in keeping them happy. A pile of hay will give them something to scratch through to find seeds, or you could hang heads of cabbage for some greens they have to work for. Another thing is to give them interactive treat dispensers, like a plastic bottle with some scratch inside and few holes cut in. They will have to manipulate the bottle to get the grains to fall out.

 

[kaiwan]

Any bird is a dual purpose bird when it's time for them to go!
But yes, all the breeds you mentioned are dual purpose and should make some great chicken soup.
BTW, to be broody does not mean they are cranky and loud. Broodiness is when they tend to nest to hatch their eggs, during which they are not busy and not loud.

 

[Casastash]

The pictures were taken after a deep clean they do have a dust bath corner in each coop and typically a half bale to destroy and pick through.

I will try hanging a head of lettuce tonight