Need Help Deciding Whether to Cull Reds or Australorps

[NeilV]

Hoping to end up with 6-7 chicks, I got 5 Australorps and 5 Production Reds. I counted on a few mishaps along the way, but they are all still here and doing fine. I am about to the point of giving away 3 or 4 birds, and I can't decide whether to give away a mix of birds or only one breed. They are all pretty tame, but the Australorps seem to be a little tamer. My wife favors them, mainly because they like to sit on her arms and are a little more like pets. I am mainly interested in egg production, and all of them are nice enough for me. If the reds will lay better, then they get my vote.

I'm just trying to figure out if there is really that much difference in egg production and temperament.

On average:

Are the Australorps more friendly/laid back into adulthood?

Do the Reds tend to lay a lot more eggs than the Australorps?

Will the Autsralorps tend to lay better for a longer period of time?

Will the greater tendency of Australorps to go broody have much effect on egg production?

Thanks

 

[Elite Silkies]

I raise Aussies and they are awesome birds. I have had 2 of my 8 hens broody in the last 3 months. If I were to guess the Production Reds would be the better layer.

Today I got 4 eggs out of 7 hens. I got the same yesterday. Mine tend to alternate their laying days. They do have months where they lay better. They do lay all year long.

As far as appearance, the Aussie has it hands down. Beautiful birds! I would say the Aussies would lay longer, due to the fact that the Production Red is bred to be an egg laying machine.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Q1: Yes, mine are very laid back too!
Q2: Yes, PRs are one of the very best brown egg laying breeds (though Aussies rate pretty high too)
Q3: I'm not sure... Though my guess is that the Aussies would win this one.
Q4: Yes, during the summer for sure! But you could always get them to hatch some eggs for you!

The Australorps tend to be prettier...

Both breeds are excellent layers, and excellent "farm chickens." You really can't go wrong on keeping either or both breeds.