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Barred Rocks are my first love, even over Delawares. I still am not thrilled with white birds, sorry, and the only thing that even let me make the decision to keep them is that they aren't completely white birds-the plumage pattern is attractive. My Dels are fabulous layers as are my BRs, though most of my Rocks are much older than my Dels now, except for two, Fern and her daughter Barbara. Fern is almost two years old and lays every day. She was raised by a broody so she seems skittish, but on occasion, when she's stressed by something, if we hold out an arm, she'll fly up to it . She wants affection on her terms, not ours. I like the shape and color tone of the Delaware eggs over the Rock eggs.
Delawares are friendly to the point of being annoying sometimes. My Rocks are friendly, but not a trip hazard like the Dels. Honestly, they are about even with egg laying ability, both size and consistency. One of the BR hens is my Becca, affectionately known as "The Other Woman". She adores my DH and acts as bodyguard, chasing others away from him when she wants her hugs.
I don't think you can go wrong with either breed, honestly. Both breeds are both excellent foragers, very active and alert. The Rocks have better camouflage when out in the woods, certainly, but my Del rooster is very good at keeping them all safe.