Plymouth Rocks or Buff Orpingtons

[frankenchick]

I guess it depends on 1) what colors you like 2) what disposition you like 3) if you want one that will go broody.

My BOs and BRs are all 19 w/o this week and haven’t started laying yet, but I have noticed that the BR girls are a little feistier. Sassy Pants (BR) is the only one that will follow me on her own. The rest all stay with the older girls (NH and WR). The BOs are almost too docile for my liking. (They are gorgeous, though)

My best broody is my White Rock, Zasu Pitts (aka Shorty). She raised the BO and BR chicks this summer after I put them under her.

So . . . Count me for the BR. I think.

 

[SandRun]

The votes are still trickling in, slowly but surely.

Buff Orpington - 11
Barred Plymouth Rocks - 9

I might also be a bit confused. Can someone explain broodiness for me. What is it, and is it good or bad, or is it dependant on other factors.

 

[jossanne]

Broody's good if you want to raise chicks occasionally. It's not so good if you're wanting eggs. When a hen goes broody, she quits laying and all she wants to do is hatch eggs. If you give her eggs, they hatch, she raises the babies, and eventually get her laying again. If you don't give her eggs, it could be quite a while til she breaks the broody habit on her own. Or you can put them in a cage raised in the air, so they get cool air underneath them and that will break broody more quickly.

Some of my sister's BO's were broody before they were even 6 months old. None of mine ever got broody, though, and neither have my BR's.

 

[Patchesnposies]

I guess I'll jump in here.

I vote for Buff Orps. They were the first type of chicken we ever owned and those girls laid eggs for us all through the long South Dakota winters.

This time around we opted for BO's again. We have ten of them and they are steady reliable layers. I'm not sure how big of eggs you need but our girls lay huge eggs. They also are incredibly friendly and have wonderful personalities.

We then added six ameracauna hens whom I adore, simply becuse they find the most creative places to lay their beautiful green eggs. One of the favorites is my wrought iron planter that is attached to the house. It is at eye level to my kitchen door and I love seeing the girls as they settle in to leave me an egg. Talk about delivery!

However, I have to say that a very common chicken, you might consider, that is a prolific layer of lovely, large brown eggs is the Rhode Island Red.

We have four of them and they are terrific birds, too. We are actually planning to add a few more to our home flock.

My dh says that I won't be happy until I have some of every breed....

 

[spatcher]

BR's for egg size.

 

[SandRun]

The new tally....


Buff Orpington - 12
Barred Plymouth Rocks - 10

 

[sdshoars]

oh my vote for BO.

i have one of each, and my bo is waaaay sweeter, she hops up in my lap and preens my hair for me. she also started laying on sat. 12/6, and has already given me 5 eggs (in 6 days) and they are the same size as store bought large eggs. the BR is pretty, but she's just not as friendly, and she is not laying yet.

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

I have both and it's a tough call. They are both great, but if you really can't have both I'd go for the Barred Rocks.

 

[yoker]

I like both alot if you are going to breed them buffs are harder.
My vote: Both

 

[SandRun]

The vote continues and the the new numbers are....

Buff Orpington - 14
Barred Plymouth Rocks - 12

Thanks