I Can't Choose!!!

[NosiphoChooks]

Get a buff orpington! I've got one and she's my favourite like a big fluffy teddy bear And quite easy to get tame too.

 

[chickencrazy13]

Oh wow! I didnt know RIRs could be a problem. Half of the replys like them and half don't. So confused! I think I might get a few, just because so many people like them. Are they any harder to socialize than other breeds?

 

[SeaChickens]

I have a RIR who is very curious and sweet, though not big on being handled a lot. Not agressive at all, with humans or her flockmates. In fact she's the bottom chicken on the totem pole, but my and my husband's favorite because she's so interesting personality-wise. I have a Barred Plymouth Rock and and Australorp too, both sweet though the BR is a little bossy. The BR was the friendliest chick but she's gotten a little less so now that she's older. I'm hoping she'll get friendlier when she starts laying.

I think there is a wide range of personalities within a breed so it's hard to say what you'll end up with if you're only getting one of each. I've read a lot of stories on the internet (I'm chicken-obsessed at the moment) about agressive wyandottes and buff orpingtons so I am avoiding those in my next batch. Of course a couple people in this thread posted that they're sweethearts, so who knows!

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Well, I LOVE Buff Orpingtons. My only hesitation is that they can get picked on. That said, I know plenty of people who have them in a mixed flock and they are the alpha. So you never know. But something to keep in mind.

Yes, love EE's for their wonderfully colorful eggs. They typically get along with others just fine. Mine was a spaz but I really don't think she could see well. She was skiddish as could be.

I have a Jersey Giant and I LOVE her. She wicked smart and eats like a goat. She is ALWAYS hungry and can eat a whole banana and still be hungry. She's 7.5lbs so small by the breed standard but I'm okay w/ that. As it is, she barely fits through the coop pop door and in the nest. She knows her name and comes with I call her. She lays and XL egg that doesn't fit into the carton. And she frequently decorated her eggs w/ dark brown spots.

If possible, you might want to get one of each and raise them up and then choose which three you want to keep. When I bought my original four, one turned out to be a rooster and another a SERIOUS bully. Suddenly, I was down to two and it's tough to add one to such a small flock. This way, you can keep the three that you like best and sell the others. Because even within a breed, you might have one that you love and one that doesn't work out so well. You just never know.

 

[chickencrazy13]

Well, I LOVE Buff Orpingtons. My only hesitation is that they can get picked on. That said, I know plenty of people who have them in a mixed flock and they are the alpha. So you never know. But something to keep in mind.

Yes, love EE's for their wonderfully colorful eggs. They typically get along with others just fine. Mine was a spaz but I really don't think she could see well. She was skiddish as could be.

I have a Jersey Giant and I LOVE her. She wicked smart and eats like a goat. She is ALWAYS hungry and can eat a whole banana and still be hungry. She's 7.5lbs so small by the breed standard but I'm okay w/ that. As it is, she barely fits through the coop pop door and in the nest. She knows her name and comes with I call her. She lays and XL egg that doesn't fit into the carton. And she frequently decorated her eggs w/ dark brown spots.

If possible, you might want to get one of each and raise them up and then choose which three you want to keep. When I bought my original four, one turned out to be a rooster and another a SERIOUS bully. Suddenly, I was down to two and it's tough to add one to such a small flock. This way, you can keep the three that you like best and sell the others. Because even within a breed, you might have one that you love and one that doesn't work out so well. You just never know.

I've heard good things about Orpingtons too( quiet, good layers, friendly). I have always wanted a Jersey Giant. I really dont know how often they lay though... I can't wait to make my final decision( the Amish are picking them up at the hatchery in a few days so I need to hurry up!)
- And thanks everyone for the VERY helpful responses.

( any more would be highly appreciated as well!)

 

[Karen12]

I had a RIR rooster that we got from a hatchery. He is the most personable roo I have ever met. The only reason I gave him to a friend was because I was originally told no roos....The place we have them at actually miss him! I also have 2 barred rocks, and we LOVE them. All of the birds we got are fairly personable and look for human contact.

 

[Y N dottes]

barred rocks are often the bosses of the flock if u have a mixed flock......all 3 of my barred rocks are at the top(and they have an order among themselves). also, my RIRs are at the bottom. none of my chickens enjoy being handled, but if i pick one up they dont struggle or try to get away either. the RIRs are definitley the most curious and smartest...

 

[StarLover21]

These are your first chickens?

RIR reds can be great but also can be agressive.
Buff Orps are just big fluffy teddy bears, but they don't lay as well. Are you looking for pets or production?
Barred Rocks are friendly and good layers- I would get some of those
EE are awesome! They lay green eggs and are usually pretty friendly.

Other suggestions would be Salmon Faverolles (gorgeous, friendly, great layers), or maybe a silky But out of the breeds you listed I would probably pick EE's, Barred Rocks, and either Buff Orps or RIR.

have fun!

 

[RedIII]

It's tough when you're restricted, for sure! I really recommend the Barred Rocks. In my experience, they're reliable layers, gentle and easy to handle, intelligent, and cold hardy.

The RIR will be a good layer, but they can be pushy, too. Leghorns are intelligent - I've had two now, and both were/are escape artists. EE's take longer to reach a laying age, or at least, mine have. I love having their variety of color in my flock. BO's are moderately easy to handle, though I have been told that they are prone to go broody. Mine is young and hasn't done this yet, so we'll see how long it takes her.

Good luck!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

My Production RIR's are at the bottom, My BO's are top with the BR's in middle(EE's and Sex-link are just getting to free range with the big kids so not in the order yet). My BR's are the quietest, rarely sing the egg song. My BO's are VERY vocal both before and after laying. The Red's vary from day to day. And like I stated earlier of my 2 Red's, one is sweet, the other not so much. All you can do is get some and see how their individual temperment grows out. You can always rehome or eat the ones you don't like.