what do you like about the various rocks, buff orpingtons, astrolorps?

[norahsmommy]

so what do you all think of partridge rocks, barred rocks, buff orpintons and black astrolorps? What are their temperments and other good/bad points? Are they good layers, mothers, setters?

 

[Quella]

Black australorps are wonderful layers and so awesomely sweet!

Bad points are they are pretty heavy as bred as a dual purpose bird, and if you want to hug them it's sort of annoying about the weight factor.

They also make great mothers.

 

[lurky]

They are all wonderful birds. If i had to choose from the list i would pick the Buff Orpington, then the Barred Rock........and that would be it. I know people love the blk Australorps, but mine seems to be the top of the pecking order, so she can appear mean to me. She seems mean to baby chicks when hatched, including her own. My Buff Orps are good layers, good broodies, and great mothers. I love them

 

[Gazinga]

i would go with the buff orpingtons. I love mine, they are great layers, and very curios and freindly birds. Social and safe around the little kids.

 

[chicken quartet]

I love my Barred Rocks! They are the absolute friendliest of all my birds. They are always the first to come over and the only ones to actually jump up and want to see you. I don't have any BO or BA though so I can't compare.

 

[norahsmommy]

I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. Are any of those breeds something you wouldn't want around your kids? I don't want eyes getting plucked out or something.

 

[skand]

Just like with other pets, make sure you are around if the kids are near them. Even with a calm bird, they can easily be startled.
My buff orp when she was a chick, pecked my daughters eyeball. Was an accident, there was a hair flying by, the bird thought it was a bug and misjudged distance. THere was no damage to the eye (went straight to an eye doctor, then to an opthamologist)
She is still the sweetest bird around, and my daughter still loves her.

 

[snowydiamonds]

I love my 7 Sunshine Sisters and their Roo, Brewster! He's smart, too!

 

[JennsPeeps]

Our black sex-link is our fav, followed by the BR. Both of them are really curious, friendly, and inquisitive. The BR is talkative whereas the BSL kind of "titters" all the time.

 

[blueseal]

the white rock is a good layer and a good mother .my 3 yearold white rock hen has hatched out 16 eggs the last 2 years. also great tempermant too.