laying hens

[1876 Farm]

My favorite are the Buff Orpingtons and the Barred Rocks. They both lay nice xlarge eggs and pretty good layers.

I've had others:
o Rhode Island Reds - Very aggressive, I think they were the downfall of my Black Austorlorps, but great layers
o Silverlaced Wyandottes, - they weren't very hardy and didn't survive a year. They are pretty low on the pecking order.
o Black Austorlorps - they didn't integrate well at all, I learned a lot about integration since then. These also were harassed by the rest of the flock and didn't survive very long.
o Production reds - Lay very well, very large/jumbo eggs - However they are the moteliest looking chicken I have. Also, out of my 6 Production reds, only 2 lay a day. They are 1.5 years old, so this is their 2nd winter.
o EE - These are new to me, so far so good.
o Black Stars - These are also new to me, so far so good.

Enjoy your chickens!!

 

[BMD17553]

whats their temperament like?

 

[1876 Farm]

My favorite are the Buff Orpingtons and the Barred Rocks. They both lay nice xlarge eggs and pretty good layers.

I've had others:
o Rhode Island Reds - Very aggressive, I think they were the downfall of my Black Austorlorps, but great layers
o Silverlaced Wyandottes, - Non-aggressive, they weren't very hardy and didn't survive a year. They are pretty low on the pecking order.
o Black Austorlorps - Non-aggressive,they didn't integrate well at all, I learned a lot about integration since then. These also were harassed by the rest of the flock and didn't survive very long.
o Production reds - Can be aggressive toward the other chickens, but they are smart. My coop and run connect to a 1 car garage, when I'm in the garage taking care of our rabbit, the red stars will peck on the door, waiting for me to bring them left-overs, pumpkins or applies, anything from my garden or orchards. . Lay very well, very large/jumbo eggs - However they are the moteliest looking chicken I have. Also, out of my 6 Production reds, only 2 lay a day. They are 1.5 years old, so this is their 2nd winter.
o EE - Fun to have, they make such funny little sounds. These are new to me, so far so good.
o Black Stars - They will following me around and at times be under my feet, waiting for me to feed them. These are also new to me, so far so good.

My EEs, black stars and Buffs, that I got this last spring seem to get along very well with each other. I see very little aggression among the group. Perhaps that's because I have a Black Copper Marans rooster watching over them all.

None of my hens are friendly enough for me to pick them up, I have never trained them to be that way.

Enjoy your chickens!!

 

[BMD17553]

i want them to basically be the best of everything and i have a RIR and she has a bad temperament but my bluff orphington is so nice she will actually sit in your lap and let you pet her.

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! Good luck to you.

 

[handyman42]

My favorite are the Buff Orpingtons and the Barred Rocks. They both lay nice xlarge eggs and pretty good layers.

I've had others:
o Rhode Island Reds - Very aggressive, I think they were the downfall of my Black Austorlorps, but great layers
o Silverlaced Wyandottes, - they weren't very hardy and didn't survive a year. They are pretty low on the pecking order.
o Black Austorlorps - they didn't integrate well at all, I learned a lot about integration since then. These also were harassed by the rest of the flock and didn't survive very long.
o Production reds - Lay very well, very large/jumbo eggs - However they are the moteliest looking chicken I have. Also, out of my 6 Production reds, only 2 lay a day. They are 1.5 years old, so this is their 2nd winter.
o EE - These are new to me, so far so good.
o Black Stars - These are also new to me, so far so good.

Enjoy your chickens!!

Heritage breed Rhode island reds are not aggressive, the hatchery breed Rhode Island reds typically are. Easter Egger's are flighty and rough to handle typically (typically all the smaller layer breeds are, like Leghorns and Minorcas). Black stars I've had and they were great but like I stated earlier I'm farming for eggs and meat now and I wanted something just a tiny bit bigger. So the Buffs take the cake for me. I've heard that Black Australorps are pretty docile and good layers as well. They were bred off of English Black Orpingtons so go figure. I haven't had any dealings with Wyandottes or production reds so no clue there. Anywho, hope this helps. Good Luck!!