Dorkings, Sussex, Jersey Giant, Rhode Island Red

[Carol Rider]

Can anyone tell me about these breeds? My family and I were just discussing chickens earlier, and we settled on these as our favorites, though we've never had any of them.
Is there anything we should know about them, like over egg producing or mean?
Stories of antics and such are welcome.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I don't think any of those breeds are aggressive. My reds were one of the friendliest to humans but kinda jerky to new introductions until they integrated.

Production is going to vary greatly depending on if you get hatchery birds or from a breeder. A hatchery red is a full on production bird, Breeder quality Rhode Island Reds are still great layers. Jersey Giants are not the best layers but hatchery stock again produce far beyond what the breed should. And so on.