Hi newbie from oregon!

[tangerino]

Hi everyone,

I have 2 rir and 2 wht leghorn hens. I'm about to buy a few more chicks and trying to decide if I want more productivity (golden sexlinks would be my choice) or more friendliness (orpingtons I guess).

I've had a couple roosters, had to give one away to keep peace with one of my nabors. The last rooster attacked us, "just doing his job", so we "fired" him too.

They are raised with organic feed and have our backyard to forage insects and chase the dog (yep, my girls won that contest).

I look forward to hearing from others.

If you have any advice or suggestions about my chick purchase, pls don't be shy!

 

[chickboss]

I'm from Oregon to! Just getting into chickens myself, but I can tell you if I wanted to try a chicken for fun that would be personable I think I would purchase a silkie. Seems like they are very "pet" like from what I've picked up. However, I think that if you babied a chicken from most breeds they would get pretty nice. My daughter's red sex-link is the sweetest thing ever and she was bought already laying.

I think the Australorps are a great layer, and pretty mellow/friendly.

LOL, I have a rooster who may get "fired" as well if he goes after my DD again!

 

[tangerino]

Chickboss,

I'm in Eugene. Funny what you say about australorps. I had some in the past and they were the least friendly of the flock. I'm getting the impression that there is a lot of variability in their personalities despite their breed's reputation or tendency.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Hello and welcome!

So glad that you have joined us!

 

[chickboss]

Quote:
HI! We're not too far off from each other. I'm just S. of Roseberg. I think you are right, and I think it is like that for all breeds. When we were kids we had Rhode Island Reds. Some were just horrible, others were shy and sweet, some pretty bold but friendly. We had a least a couple hundred at one point. It was the same with the Easter Eggers we raised back them to. Already in my young flock of Australorps, I see a lot of variations in personality. Now, if I had to look at the RIR's and the EE's as a whole, I would say there was a bit more tendency towards aggression in the RIRs, but still lots of variations.

 

[tangerino]

chickboss,

thanks for your reply. Do the more aggressive birds pick on the least aggressive ones as adults?

I just bought 2 buff orpingtons and 4 golden sex-links... could that be asking for trouble?

 

[M To The Maxx]

 

[Woods_Woman]

Im in Portland, glad you've found the forum. Im more for the friendly birds myself, I keep bantams cause I like them small. Because I live in the city and my chickens are pet's I wanted something with personality..Good luck to you

 

[chickboss]

Congrats on your chicks!!

I don't see why it would be a problem. I keep a mixed flock with out any trouble. I hear the Buffs are a really nice bird, my neighbor keeps some.

As far as agression and picking, yes, they can. Some of ours did. Giving them enough space helps, but sometimes you just get a bully. Its like with any other flock/herd type animal. You get leaders that are good, they just keep the peace and get to eat first and small reminders to the underlings are all that is needed. Then you get the one's that feel the need to prove themselves on a constant basis.

If a picking problem developes, they sell some stuff at the feed store that you can put on the picked on chicken that tastes horrible. I've heard that works. If it get bad, you can just "fire" that one too.

 

[FrenchHen]

Welcome! There's a gathering in Albany this month for the Oregon folks.
We'd love to meet you in person!