Adding to mixed flock

[eedelavan]

Hi everybody,
I'm planning to add a few chickies to my small flock. (I have 3 girls just over a year: RIR, Silver Laced Wyandotte & Black Sex Link.) I want to add three more, but I don't know if these breeds will mix well. I'd like to get a Cream Legbar, Salmon Faverolle and Welsummer. Thoughts? Thanks all!

 

[N F C]

Hi,

When integrating new birds into an existing flock, it's best to keep some distance between the new ones and the existing ones so they can "look but don't touch" for a few weeks. You don't say how old the new birds are but if they are chicks, you'll want to wait to mix them until the young ones are older and big enough to stand up for themselves. Any time you add new chickens to an existing flock, the pecking order has to be worked out among the birds again so some squabbles will occur. Be on the lookout for things getting so rough someone gets bloody.

There are a lot of posts about integrating chickens, do a search and read up on it so you're prepared.

Good luck!

 

[eedelavan]

Thanks! Yes, I'll be keeping them separate for several weeks, brooding the chicks in my garage, then I'll integrate them slowly. My larger concern was my choice of breeds. Anyone have any thoughts or concerns about whether they'll get along together? Thanks!

 

[rc4u]

your choice of breeds is no problem...i have not seen a problem with mixing any standard type chicken...but i have no experiance with fancy breeds like toppers or longtails ect...but hae seen them with many flocks...jeff

 

[donrae]

Those breeds all do fine together. Just be sure you've got enough space for that many birds, and a little additional space for the littles to run away from the big girls.