Chipmunk Chicks
Free Ranging
Our Australorps are the greatest, and not timid at all! That's so funny, how everyone says they are different. I think it must depend how you raise them. Mine are so friendly and interested in me (or treats, whichever) and would totally follow me right into the house if I let them! Lol. We added the Welsummers two weeks later, and it does seem like they take a back seat to the Australorps generally, and tend to run away moreso than towards me haha but they do tolerate being held and petted, so I wonder how they would be if the Australorps hadn't been there first.
But I digress. Of those listed, I would go Barred Rock, but that said BR are not on my shirt list to add personally.
To the GLW person, great choice! A pro tip I learned is to add all birds of a different breed each year, in three or four year cycles. So that way you know how old everyone is based on breed. I feel like GLW, Australorps, and Welsummers would make a fantastic "black and tan" flock, maybe Black Cooper Marans or something in there too.
Right now I have DH sold on blue copper marans, so that will hopefully be our next addition, but we don't plan to add multiple breeds at once, unless we were to cycle back to the Australorp+Welsummer thing in another year or two... (Eta or have a set plan for a couple breeds, but not singles of each all over the place. Too much to remember lol)
But I digress. Of those listed, I would go Barred Rock, but that said BR are not on my shirt list to add personally.
To the GLW person, great choice! A pro tip I learned is to add all birds of a different breed each year, in three or four year cycles. So that way you know how old everyone is based on breed. I feel like GLW, Australorps, and Welsummers would make a fantastic "black and tan" flock, maybe Black Cooper Marans or something in there too.
Right now I have DH sold on blue copper marans, so that will hopefully be our next addition, but we don't plan to add multiple breeds at once, unless we were to cycle back to the Australorp+Welsummer thing in another year or two... (Eta or have a set plan for a couple breeds, but not singles of each all over the place. Too much to remember lol)
Does make you think, whether "hatchery quality" is really just a chicken snob catch phrase, or if non-hatchery stock might actually have better longevity and health overall. Most everyday end users just want eggs, and try to do what's best for the chicken, but I wonder how many are not really getting the hardy "heritage" birds they think they are.
And of course when the fox came, it was two of those expensive girls he took. 
Go figure.
