Adding new breeds to an established flock

[gdrake_man]

We've had 6 red sex-link hens for a year now, and I'd like to add some new breeds to our flock. If all of the proper precautions are followed for introducing the new chickens, would it be a bad idea to add six to ten more birds, possibly a combination of Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorps, and/or Araucanas?

I'd like to have a rooster too and this may sound silly, but if, for example, if I get a Buff Orpington rooster, would there be a problem with the cross breeding? How about down the line if the rooster mates with its daughter - are there issues with inbreeding to be concerned about?

Thanks, in advance!

 

[Ridgerunner]

We've had 6 red sex-link hens for a year now, and I'd like to add some new breeds to our flock. If all of the proper precautions are followed for introducing the new chickens, would it be a bad idea to add six to ten more birds, possibly a combination of Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorps, and/or Araucanas?

Integration of new birds into a flock can cause some problems as they determine the new pecking order, but we do it all the time. Those breeds should do fine together.

I'd like to have a rooster too and this may sound silly, but if, for example, if I get a Buff Orpington rooster, would there be a problem with the cross breeding? How about down the line if the rooster mates with its daughter - are there issues with inbreeding to be concerned about?

The only problem with cross breeding is that you are highly unlikely to win any best of breed at the chicken show if you decide to enter one. Again, many of us cross breed all the time. It just depends on what your goals are. If you do not have to have pure breeds, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Practically every one of the championship chickens at chicken shows were developed by in-breeding. Practically every breed of chicken was developed by in-breeding. Are there issues to be concerned about? Yes. Physical defects can be intensified and other traits can be reinforced. These are not only physical but may be behavioral. Fertility or egg laying may drop off. But if you introduce an outside rooster to get his genes in the gene pool, you may be introducing genes you don't want. As long as you select which chickens to breed and try to eliminate any with problems, it is usually not a huge issue, but you probably should introduce new blood every few years. I try to do it about every three years.

 

[gdrake_man]

Thanks a lot for your response. Your response was very helpful, and I appreciate you taking the time to do so!