Curious about Rhode Island Reds

[Ben337]

i would love to know about Rhode Island reds, barred rocks, and Standars Cochin Fowl? I am also interested in Buff Orpingtons. Which of these breeds would be compatible with australorps to make backbone egg layers and broodies.

 

[sylviethecochin]

None of those breeds should have any problems with Australorps. Australorps, at least in my experience, are a breed that gives no trouble, and takes none either.

Buff Orps are known for being broody, and are fairly good layers.

Hatchery RIRs and BRs are better layers than Buff Orps, and frankly, I like RIR personalities, so they get my endorsement. Standard cochins are gentle giants, should be broody, but aren't usually very good layers and their eggs aren't large.

Some breeders breed for broodiness, as well as egg production and showability, so if you have local breeders (or are willing to pay for shipping), that might be worth looking into.

 

[Ben337]

Thank you for your clear and concise advice. So you do like Rhode Island reds?

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I absolutely hate Rhode Island reds! They were the only chicken to give me a peck wound so bad it bled, and that wasn’t even when they were nesting! They are so bossy to the other chickens and are just mean. I would go with australorps or cochins

 

[Ben337]

Thank you for the advice. Do you know if they were production or heritage reds?

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

They were production, but it is hard to find heritage RIRS almost no hatchery sells them

 

[danceswithronin]

I think RIRs are beautiful birds, but I've heard so many horror stories about them being aggressive (both to people and to other hens in the flock) that I won't keep them. I keep too many docile breeds to be able to afford mixing in a potential troublemaker.

Personally I'm a huge fan of Orps - come in a variety of cool colors/patterns, good layers, good mothers, gentle cuddle bugs.

 

[Ben337]

I think RIRs are beautiful birds, but I've heard so many horror stories about them being aggressive (both to people and to other hens in the flock) that I won't keep them. I keep too many docile breeds to be able to afford mixing in a potential troublemaker.

Personally I'm a huge fan of Orps - come in a variety of cool colors/patterns, good layers, good mothers, gentle cuddle bugs.

What breeds do you keep besides the pros as well?

 

[danceswithronin]

What breeds do you keep besides the pros as well?

Speckled Sussex, Black Jersey Giant, Wyandotte, Polish, Easter Egger. Also going to be raising a White Sultan, Silver Spangled Hamburg, and Dominique later this summer.

 

[Callender Girl]

I have to defend Rhode Island Reds -- at least to the extent that my one RIR was beautiful and not at all mean. In fact, she accepted the Buff Orp as the leader of the hens and made no attempt to unseat the queen. Ginger Rogers may have been the exception, but I found her utterly charming and a bit on the shy side.