Clay I was where you are about a year ago and bought a very mixed group. I did not like the Austrolorps as much as chicks they just didnt do much for me from a eye appeal standpoint, but mine are awesome birds that are not flighty at all. I do not make pets of mine but at the same time it is pretty cool if they come around when I throw scratch etc. I am not sure where the RIR got their bad rap but mine are very nice and train quickly and promptly to the roost and to the laying box. I am not as interested in them being pets as I am in them having some manners about where they lay and roost.
One other thought, because it is my experience. As I became more and more interested in the whole chicken thing I began to consider quality purebred heritage stock that would have some value as hatching eggs and and as breeders. When you think about it for 25 chickens if you spend a couple dollars a bird or 5 or more for really great stock the difference in dollars is not that large. The real cost in chickens is the set up etc.
I would seriously think about buying premium well bred stock from small proven breeders and then if you get the hatching bug you have something distinctive to offer besides the traditional large hatchery chickens. Many of the real premium breeders sell hatching eggs and not chicks. Perhaps you could find someont to hatch a group of very nice chickens for you.
Some very hot breeds right now are Marans (they are awesome but costly) Wellsummer, Jersey Giants are quite a hit, and there are some good breeders of the breeds you are looking for as well.
The Buff Orpingtons I have are great also, but maybe a bit passive and not the best layers. The Austrolorps are laying machines.
Like I said I do not pick my chickens up etc. but I do have one Austrolorp that follows me around like a dog.
One other thought, because it is my experience. As I became more and more interested in the whole chicken thing I began to consider quality purebred heritage stock that would have some value as hatching eggs and and as breeders. When you think about it for 25 chickens if you spend a couple dollars a bird or 5 or more for really great stock the difference in dollars is not that large. The real cost in chickens is the set up etc.
I would seriously think about buying premium well bred stock from small proven breeders and then if you get the hatching bug you have something distinctive to offer besides the traditional large hatchery chickens. Many of the real premium breeders sell hatching eggs and not chicks. Perhaps you could find someont to hatch a group of very nice chickens for you.
Some very hot breeds right now are Marans (they are awesome but costly) Wellsummer, Jersey Giants are quite a hit, and there are some good breeders of the breeds you are looking for as well.
The Buff Orpingtons I have are great also, but maybe a bit passive and not the best layers. The Austrolorps are laying machines.
Like I said I do not pick my chickens up etc. but I do have one Austrolorp that follows me around like a dog.
