I've been reading this forum for years but never made an account, feel it's time :-D I'm a small time wannabe farmer with a flock of 17. We have a mixed flock - we have three hens each of Barred Rocks, White Australorps, Ameraucanas (from TS so probably Easter Eggers), and Barnevelders, then an OEGB pair, 2 Ameraucana roosters, and a Barnevelder Roo. We're going to cull two of the roosters next weekend if I can hurry up and decide which to keep! This is my first go round with both roosters and birds I raised from chicks (half the flock I bought as chicks, the other half were bought as pullets). Today I got my first egg from one of the Australorps! Expecting everyone to start laying in the next few months, they're all about the same age (5ish months). This is my third flock, the first was in college when my roommates and I kept 2 chickens in the backyard for cheap eggs, the second was a flock of Ameraucanas two years ago and they were wiped out by coyotes while free ranging in our yard (which is 3+ acres). We've sinced beefed up the perimeter fence and made a larger coop with an attached secure run for their regular use. They still get free range time but only under supervision I love watching my chickens and hanging out with them while I do other work or read a book. My OEGB roo is my favorite chicken ever and will happily ride around on my shoulder for as long as I let him unless he spots a tasty bug, then he jumps down to grab it and asks to come back up when he's done with his snack. I'm hoping he stays as sweet as he gets older and doesn't turn into a jerk!
Welcome to BYC - I've heard that OEGB's make good pets. Hope he will stay as sweet as he is, for you.