Best breeds with orpingtons / welsummers?

[coatsra]

Hello, all I have buff & lavender orpingtons, welsummers. They are great breeds. We are rotating out our Rhode Island reds and need to get more chicks. I do not like Rhode Island reds. Does anyone have any advice on good breeds to go with the orpingtons / welsummers? Are brahmas or wyandottes decent breeds? Our kids help a lot. Thanks!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Hello, all I have buff & lavender orpingtons, welsummers. They are great breeds. We are rotating out our Rhode Island reds and need to get more chicks. I do not like Rhode Island reds. Does anyone have any advice on good breeds to go with the orpingtons / welsummers? Are brahmas or wyandottes decent breeds? Our kids help a lot. Thanks!

I have 3 orpingtons, 1 welsummer, 1 brahma, 1 OE, 1 WTB, 1 Favaucana, 1 Blue laced red wyandotte, they all have their own personalities so in my opinion it's all based on the individual bird. I sold one of my orpingtons this last summer because she was unfriendly and just didn't jive with the flock. Get what you want and sell any that don't jive with your flock.

 

[coatsra]

I have 3 orpingtons, 1 welsummer, 1 brahma, 1 OE, 1 WTB, 1 Favaucana, 1 Blue laced red wyandotte, they all have their own personalities so in my opinion it's all based on the individual bird. I sold one of my orpingtons this last summer because she was unfriendly and just didn't jive with the flock. Get what you want and sell any that don't jive with your flock.

This makes perfect sense, thank you! Everyone told me buff orps were so sweet (and they are for the most part good chickens) and I’ve got one orp that will follow you and try to attack your feet

 

[TXchickmum]

We had Wyandottes and Australorps with our Orpingtons. -worked very well.

 

[SourRoses]

Our English Orpington are the sweetest birds I've ever encountered.
We decided to keep only nice birds in with them, and so far real Ameraucana fit the bill. Hens, anyway. It's the most peaceful flock we've ever had.
Speckled Sussex are also quite mellow.
We have some Leghorns (never intended to), and they are meek enough birds that when they fly over the dividing fence they don't cause any problems. They lay in the Orpington coop, let Sir Clifford mate with them and then go "home" to their own coop by dark.
Everyone says Leghorns are so skittish and they definitely have that tendency, but we found by not hassling them as chicks and brooding them on the porch where people walk by, they've grown comfortable with people things and don't expect to be accosted.

 

[Tonyroo]

Don't go with Wyandotte, they take a long time to mature and molting is very slow. Plus can be very aggressive to the flock.

 

[Tonyroo]

Brahmas are gentle giants.

 

[Callender Girl]

It's true my BLR Wyandotte is very slow at molting, as has ben pointed out. But she has been among my Buff Orp's coop mates for years, and has never shown any aggression. If anything, she is the shyest of the group.

My Columbian Wyandotte is in another coop; her coop mates include a pair of Cochin Bantams, and there have been no problems among them either.

Generalities exist for a reason, but there are so many differences among individuals. I find flock dynamics difficult to predict.

Hope you find someone agreeable for the flock and for you!

 

[coatsra]

Thank you everyone for your help! I’ve had so many good responses and now I’m not so sure!

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

Easter eggers are good choice too.