Adding a gentler breed to my flock

[Wolfefarmyard]

I think it’s worth a try. I also have a very mixed flock. I have speckled Sussex all the way to bantam silkies in it. Yes, the silkies are on the bottom of the pecking order but everything works out.

I would try adding some if I were you!

 

[janiedoe]

I have had doubts about the favorelles anyway. I'm not sure I want the hassle of trying to raise them with my barred rock. My slw hasn't been a problem with chicks in the past. My barred rock on the otherhand has had a knock-down fight with a broody.
If I do decide to get a more docile breed, I think I'll go with brahma eggs and let my langshan hatch them. She is head hen, a force to reckon with, and will not let any other hens (or roosters) near her chicks.

 

[Folly's place]

Generally having a broody raise chicks with the flock does work best, and a hen who's more dominant won't put up with any guff at all.
I really like Favorelles, but won't add any to my mixed flock, because they are so mellow.
Mary]
Maybe your top hen could raise some Favorelle chicks?

 

[janiedoe]

Generally having a broody raise chicks with the flock does work best, and a hen who's more dominant won't put up with any guff at all.
I really like Favorelles, but won't add any to my mixed flock, because they are so mellow.
Mary]
Maybe your top hen could raise some Favorelle chicks?

If I came upon some favorelle eggs and allowed my broody to hatch them I know they would assimilate more easily but I would still worry that they wouldn't stand up for themselves when they were grown. What do you think?

 

[Folly's place]

Mine did okay in a mixed flock NOT including production reds or sex-link hens. My Favorelle rooster needed a new home, because he was picked on by almost everyone. He moved to a flock as the only boy and did fine.
You might do fine with some Favorelles, carefully integrated, maybe with more chicks at the same time.
Mary

 

[Chickassan]

Hi! My Faverolles are in a mixed flock, the secret is having a little pack of them at once. Alone they're crazy meek but in a little pack they're a force to be reckoned with. You can even sneak a few in with other chick breeds if you want. Iv'e got four hens intergrated with the meanest Dominique ever hatched and they're fine. My brooder currently has five Faverolles and three mutts, they'll fold right into the flock easy peasy.

 

[janiedoe]

Hi! My Faverolles are in a mixed flock, the secret is having a little pack of them at once. Alone they're crazy meek but in a little pack they're a force to be reckoned with. You can even sneak a few in with other chick breeds if you want. Iv'e got four hens intergrated with the meanest Dominique ever hatched and they're fine. My brooder currently has five Faverolles and three mutts, they'll fold right into the flock easy peasy.

I would be buying 4 if I bought chicks. If I'm fortunate to find eggs at a time when I have a broody I will hope for a good hatch.

 

[Chickassan]

Four would be perfect, if you did go with chicks. Now keep in mind the flock here don't have any production birds with attitude or crazy bloodlust just normal bossy old hens some of the same breeds you have actually.

I would be buying 4 if I bought chicks. If I'm fortunate to find eggs at a time when I have a broody I will hope for a good hatch.