Gaah! Can't decide...

[teddiliza]

Yay! I'm so glad you got a barred rock! You won't be sorry. If you pet them daily and give them crushed cheerios for treats they will grow up healthy and sweet!

I notice a big difference in feather quality in the chickens I fed cheerios to as chicks.

My barred Rock Smiley is gentler than my other large birds to my bantams once she established herself at the top of the pecking order, she doesn't peck them.

 

[pinkchick]

Your going to have so much FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

Quote:
Me too! Barred-rocks-rock you know! (insert corny joke smiley)

 

[Dora'smom]

Interesting how many people have had positive experiences with barred rocks. We got ours as babies from the feed store. They were some of the calmest chicks, and we handled them often, gave them healthy treats, etc. The one is a great egg-layer--usually pinkish eggs. The other one may not have laid at all yet, and we have wondered if it is a closet rooster. Both of them try to pick the other birds naked, despite increases in protein, treats, toys, etc. The only thing that has worked for us is the pinless peepers. Now they can't see where to pick.

As far as the cuckoo marans, I got two of them this year, hoping that they would be calm, friendly, etc. as the breed description is (I know it can vary widely from bird to bird), but so far they are absolutely wild. I am hoping they calm down as they get older.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Cochins fit the bill, but they go broody so often you will have eggs sporatically. Buff Orps are another good choice.

 

[BriteChicken]

Here's their brooder I get them next Friday! Yay!

It has a chick feeder and jar and a rabbit (Double Ball) waterer thermometer heat lamp and I'll be putting Paper towels over the wood shavings am I missing anything but the chicks?

 

[19hhbelgian]

I have 3 black australorps, among other breeds. They are very sweet, quiet birds who lay just about every day. They come running when I call, and will follow me around when I work outside, but they are not constantly under my feet like my polish. I have a black orpington and she is more flighty than my australorps, but I also have a lavender orpington roo who is quite nice. He is a friendlier than the hen, but still doesn't want me to pet him. Orpingtons can be quite large, so take that into consideration. My orp hen is huge compared to my australorps, but the australorps still lay a nice large egg. EE's are fun. My last EE was nice and friendly. She was a hatchery bird who laid green eggs. Sweet personality, and she was a quiet girl.

Another option is a salmon faverolle. All of my faverolles are very sweet natured, friendly, and quiet. My Sammy chicken (salmon faverolle hen) laid a very nice tan egg, and she was just the cutest girl

 

[chickenman98]

I would get some barred rocks or white rocks. We have some that are very frendly and they lay large eggs. They may be a little bigger than 5 pounds but ours get along very good and there is never any fighting. They are great chickens!!