Barred Rock vs Belgian Maline

[MizzClucker]

Hey all, we are fairly new to chickens. We have two barred rock hens and five brown layers. We are looking at getting chicks in the next few weeks and the breeder I have chosen is recomending Euskal Oiloas (which are one of the ones I want) and Belgian Malines for their docile nature. I requested which ones for our family with small children who are very involved with the animals. What are the differences between a barred rock and a Belgian maline? Because I am not a fan of our two barred rocks, they are very flighty and impossible to catch. This could be due to poor handling or lack thereof, we just got them in October. Anyways, they are lifers at our house now but I don’t really want more.

What are your thoughts, is there a huge difference between the two? They sure look alike. We have our chickens for eggs btw, but friendliness is my priority. The roosters will be eaten or sold except for one who will remain at our place to be chosen by its temperament.

Also, if anyone can direct me to more info on raising cockerels I would be great full. I don’t want to spoil them andmake them a-holes. From what I understand they need to be raised right if you want them friendly.

 

[sylviethecochin]

What are the differences between a barred rock and a Belgian maline?

Never had a Belgian Maline, but Plymouth Barred Rocks are top egg producers, at 280+/year. I doubt BMs can match that. I don't like PBRs much, not because they're unfriendly (I can deal with unfriendly) but because they're too bold. They're bullies. You may just have a bad strain of hatchery birds--sometimes, not much care is put into breeding for temperament when you can breed for egg production.

Friendliness is my priority. The roosters will be eaten or sold except for one who will remain at our place to be chosen by its temperament.

Well, don't go with a Barred Rock for your first cockerel, then. They don't have as bad a reputation as Production Red roosters, but they are one of the most people-unfriendly rooster breeds out there.

(Before BR lovers jump on me, I know that that's a generalisation and there are many excellent PBR roosters out there. But a higher than normal percentage of them are bad.)

Also, if anyone can direct me to more info on raising cockerels I would be great full. I don’t want to spoil them and make them a-holes. From what I understand they need to be raised right if you want them friendly.

Personally, I'm a fan of the, "I don't pet him or hand-feed and he respects my space or he finds a crockpot" method of raising roosters. But I'm hardly an expert--I rely on the older flock to teach the younger to behave.

 

[mixedbreeds]

I have Malines for the first time this year they are only 5 months old but have been the most docile birds I have ever raised I just didn’t have room for the cockerels or I would have kept one I had five of each none were aggressive even sticking your finger right in there face nothing no reaction. They were still young at five months but very layed back. The hens are so layed back they get picked on by other hens. That’s all I know so far except none have layed an egg yet so they must be a little slow to lay.

 

[meemmeem]

This is my first time with chicks. I have two BM. They are only 3 months old but I think I have a cockrell and pullet. They are soooo sweet!!!!

I can catch the with ease but not without a bunch of noise. In the evening they will come and roost on me for a little while. I pet them and they stretch those necks out and go to sleep.