Choosing a new breed - Job Done

Well,

I've listened to all the advice for which I thank you all.
Unfortunately I still couldn't make my mind up so I just made a
decision...............and here's the result so far....a few days down
the line.

In the end I went to http://www.southmead.dsl.pipex.com/

and purchased six of their point of lay "Amber Stars". I've put them
in the main coop and put our remaining black rock (that we had to
segregate from the others to prevent her being killed) in with them.

The difference in temperament between these birds and the black rocks
we got rid of could hardly be greater.

These are truly docile and friendly bords that are happy to be
together. They will eat side by side no problem and in fact like to
stick together (before we introduced the black rock in).

The remaining black rock doesn't mix with them and keeps her distance
but doesn't hang back from putting them in their place if they get too
close but nothing more extreme than I would have expected.

So far, so good. I am pleased with these birds and they look good and
behave really well. :-)

FINALE: What she did say (the breeder) was that the behaviour was more
a traight earned from the breeding stock than the breed itself.
Agressive cockeral aggressive chickens. She has (20 odd years I
believe) kept track of and vetted the cockerals she uses to breed in
docile traits - a bit like bees I suppose - angry coloney, replace
with a new queen from a more docile hive.

Seems to make sense and would explain why our chooks acted so
different from the black rocks our friends had (bought very far appart
time wise).

Again, thanks all for your comments.
.

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