Which chicks do we add to our backyard flock?

[Chicksandplants]

Hi! In my backyard flock, we currently have:
-Sapphire Gem
-Buff Orpington (my number two favorite hen)
-Blue Laced Gold Wyandotte
-Easter Egger
-Barred Rock (my number one favorite hen)

We have 15 (hopefully all pullets) 7 week old chicks:
-3x Cream Legbars
-3x Speckled Sussex
-3x Black Copper Marans
-3x Olive Eggers
-1x Dark Brahma
-1x Light Brahma
-1x Buff Brahama

We need to narrow it down to keeping 5-7 max from this batch.

If any of you have experience with these breeds, please let me know which ones you would keep in your own flock. I’m having a hard time deciding which ones to offer up, because I love them all. I’m not sure who to nix from the flock. Do chickens get sad if they have a best chicken friend and get separated?

Located in the Northern VA area.

Some chick pics for fun

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

What are your goals with your birds? It's fine and all for us to say what we'd do in your shoes, but you're likely to get a ton of different answers and still have to narrow it down yourself in the end. If we know what exactly you're looking to accomplish with your flock, though, we can give you much more helpful advice on which breeds are likely to help accomplish that for you.

 

[ataylor2]

You should probably just keep them all.

 

[Iluveggers]

I would probably keep one of each breed. That gives you 5. Then if one you want has a best friend they are always with, you have 2 more you can keep if needed.

 

[Chicksandplants]

What are your goals with your birds? It's fine and all for us to say what we'd do in your shoes, but you're likely to get a ton of different answers and still have to narrow it down yourself in the end. If we know what exactly you're looking to accomplish with your flock, though, we can give you much more helpful advice on which breeds are likely to help accomplish that for you.

Honestly just for the love of chickens.. as pets. The eggs are a nice bonus, but even with our 5 hens, we give eggs away to neighbors and family. I think looking for the most friendly and compatible with each other really.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Honestly just for the love of chickens.. as pets. The eggs are a nice bonus, but even with our 5 hens, we give eggs away to neighbors and family. I think looking for the most friendly and compatible with each other really.

I think then that you should do just that, sit with your flock a few times and just observe them, look for the ones that get along best with one another, the ones who are personable with you and your family and don't cause too much drama among the other birds. Depending on how soon you need to cut down your numbers, I'd give them a bit more time to mature before making too many final decisions on that, personally.

Based on my experiences with the breeds you have, though, Brahmas tend to be solid, easy-going birds, and Legbars are definitely energetic, but fun to have around, especially if you have a lot of room for them or can free-range them so they can get that energy out. My Marans and Sussex were all a bit bossy in the flock, but not too bad. The Marans, especially, are so nosy and always in my business when I'm out there, but not necessarily in a bad way. Olive-eggers are a bit harder to gauge because a lot of their temperament can depend on the parent breeds used to make them, so you'll have to be the judge on them, I suspect.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I enjoyed our dark brahma. Other than that, I haven't had any of your newest batch

 

[Iluveggers]

PS. I also have a Speckled Sussex, Black Copper Marans, Olive Egger, Light Brahma, along with an Easter Egger & Orpington. They get along great. No bully in the group. All are friendly, although my lap chickens are the Sussex & Orpington.

 

[Chicksandplants]

PS. I also have a Speckled Sussex, Black Copper Marans, Olive Egger, Light Brahma, along with an Easter Egger & Orpington. They get along great. No bully in the group. All are friendly, although my lap chickens are the Sussex & Orpington.

The Speckled Sussex are the biggest bullies right now

Do your BCMs stick together? Are they more reserved hens? These 3 are thick as thieves, and I feel bad separating them… they are always together.

Do you know what your OEs are crossed between?

 

[Chicksandplants]

I enjoyed our dark brahma. Other than that, I haven't had any of your newest batch

That’s my husbands favorite, so I’m thinking she’s a for sure keeper.