Advice on mixing breeds of hens

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Ionaborda

Ionaborda

Hatching
Feb 10, 2016
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My hubbie has nearly finished building me a chicken coup and fenced a large yard for about 5 laying chickens. My question is, should I buy all five chickens at the same time so they get along better in the yard? I've heard the Australorps are fairly docile and are good layers as are RIR's but I'd love to have one or two Wyandotte's as I think they're beautiful.

Also if I get a Wyandotte Rooster, will that be a problem if it breeds with the other different breeds and should I buy him at the same time as I buy the hens so they all get along?

I mainly want chickens to produce eggs for us but also love the colours of the Wyandottes.

This is the not quite finished chicken castle.

I'm new to this site but it seems a really helpful, informative site.

Thanks.

Ionaborda.
 
Wyandottes are usually docile and normally should get along fine with your other breeds, especially if they aren't overcrowded. Overcrowding can quickly lead to aggression, fights, biting and feather plucking, and even cannibalism with any breeds. Of course in any flock you are going to have the natural pecking order. RIRs are sometimes aggressive, particularly hatchery quality ones. Australorps are a great breed; extremely hardy, calm and gentle (good lap pets), and excellent layers of brown eggs. Other breeds you might want to consider for a peaceful flock that are good layers (although not quite Australorp level) and have a well deserved reputation for being calm and gentle (great lap pets) include Faverolles, Orpingtons, Sussex, and Brahmas. Of course there can always be an exception with any breed. Whatever breeds you decide to get, good luck with your flock.
 
Thanks for all your informative advice Michael OShea, I'm so excited about getting started and will let you all know when it's all up and running.

Many Thanks
Ionaborda
 
If you like Wyandotte colors, buy the book "21st century poultry breeding". the author discusses color in depth and uses Wyandottes for most of the examples.
Best,
Karen
 
Good luck on your chicken adventures! Cute idea with the chicken castle. My chickens have more of a chicken shack lol. I am partial to roosters. I have been known to have more roosters than hens in the past. If I were picking a rooster in your situation I would get one of whichever breed you had the majority of in your hens. That is if you want to raise purebreds of that breed in the future you could just let those hens set if they will. OR you can buy a totally unrelated rooster to any of them and have a completely unique mixture. I had a bantam cochin frizzle once and his offspring were were always exciting to see grow up!
 

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