Advice please!

[Chickgurl06]

So, I am planning to get baby chicks in a month or so! Problem is..I can decide which breeds I should get! I want about three or four chickens; I was thinking a buff Orpington, barred rock, and maybe a speckled Sussex. I am not sure what breeds work well with each other though. I also really want a silkie or two...will they get bullied by other chickens? I was planning on getting them all as chicks.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Buff Orpingtons are a gentle docile breed that would probably coexist with your Silkies okay and they are pretty good layers of brown eggs. The Speckled Sussex might be okay with your Silkies, but Barred Rocks are likely to batter your Silkies. I would suggest Black Australorps. They are very hardy and gentle birds like the Orpingtons (not surprising since they were originally bred by crossing Orpingtons with other breeds to increase the rate of lay), and (not surprisingly) they are better layers than the Orpingtons. I have had all four of the breeds you are considering at one time (currently have just Australorps and a few Buff Orpingtons) and have never had an aggressive Australorp, Orpington, or Silkie.

 

[petrel]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Chickgurl06]

Thank you for the information! If I were to get silkies would I need to get two of them or could I just get one? If I am raising my flock of four from chicks would it make a difference as far as the other breeds picking on the silkies goes?

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

If you are going to get Silkies and only want 3 or 4 birds, then go with all Silkies. Yes, they can have a great disadvantage in a flock of heavier breed birds. Black Australorps are very friendly docile birds to keep. Silkies are cute, but can have health issues. If I were you, since you only want a few birds, I would go with either Buff Orpingtons or Black Australorps. Both of these breeds are very hardy birds, great layers and make wonderful pets. Great lap sitters. They will provide lots of nice eggs, aren't overly broody and will live healthy lives. But this is just my humble opinion. I suppose I am partial to Black Australorps since I keep them.

If you need your lap warmed, get Australorps.

Enjoy this new adventure you are on and welcome to our flock!

 

[dstinett]

I love my australorps! My favorite are my frizzle Cochins. They have always been great pets. The bigger breeds can get quite heavy in your lap

 

[Chickgurl06]

Australorps and orpingtons sound like great birds! Does anyone happen to know of any websites or stores that sell inexpensive, yet protective (quality) coops? I have predators such as raccoons, opossum, and neighborhood cats. I really need a coop I can trust!

 

[subhanalah]

Australorp is a breed derived from am Australian breed of chicken and the Orpington....get it? Austral+Orp

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC!

If you are going to get Silkies and only want 3 or 4 birds, then go with all Silkies. Yes, they can have a great disadvantage in a flock of heavier breed birds. Black Australorps are very friendly docile birds to keep. Silkies are cute, but can have health issues. If I were you, since you only want a few birds, I would go with either Buff Orpingtons or Black Australorps. Both of these breeds are very hardy birds, great layers and make wonderful pets. Great lap sitters. They will provide lots of nice eggs, aren't overly broody and will live healthy lives. But this is just my humble opinion. I suppose I am partial to Black Australorps since I keep them.

If you need your lap warmed, get Australorps.

Enjoy this new adventure you are on and welcome to our flock!

 

[subhanalah]

There's also the austrawhite, which is an australorp hen and a leghorn cock.

They lay like crazy and are pretty good size if you want to eat them!