Hi there, I am going to be getting about 5-6 chooks by the end of this year, beginning of summer 2014. I have basically decided what breeds I will be getting. I am going to be getting 2 Rhode Island Reds(RIR), 2 Barnevelders(Barnies) and 1-2 Orpingtons. I was wondering if anyone could give me some feed back on these breeds, since Im a beginner. I have had a quick look at the breed reviews, but need some guidance and people who have owned any of these breeds. do they all mix well together, are they good egg layers, are they friendly etc. Thank you
I love my Buff Orpingtons. Black Australorps lay a little better though and are sweet too from my experience. I have both, as I love them both! My BOs are friendly and enjoy coming up to me to say hi. They probably give me about three eggs a week per girl. They are in their second year. They do go broody and quit laying when they are broody. So your RIRs will be your best layers.
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan RIR tend to be more active and sometimes more aggressive than the other 2 breeds you mentioned, this is more of an issue in small tight spaces - they do better if given plenty of space to move around.
Hello again, Elzy, and ! Pleased to have you with us! The chart liz9910 suggested is very helpful. Good luck to you!
Thanks everyone I will check out that chart. Its also good advice about the RIR being a better mix with the other two breeds if in a big spaced area, its a good thing I will be living on half an acre So they can roam around.
I have one RIR, one Barnevelder and 1 Black Australorp (which were bred from Orpingtons in Australia). They all get along very well - I got them all at 8 weeks old as I think it is more important that they are close in age rather than the same breed. The RIR and BA are very friendly, the Barnevelder a little more reticent - though now at a year old, she takes to hopping up onto the seat next to me. They are all really fine looking chickens and make a lovely flock together. My RIR and BA lay nearly every single day - apart from 3-4 weeks off for a moult in the autumn, Thye Barnevlder lays about every second day. I also have one Silver Campine, she's another story! Very flighty..... You have made a lovely selection of breeds, I think. All the best
