Best mixed flock of 4

[Jdc361]

i am going to get a mixed flock of 4 and I already decided on Black Australorp and Buff Orpington but I'm not sure if I should get ameraucanas, Rhode Island reds, barred rock, brahmas, and there's so many others to consider. So I need 2 other breeds and prefer heritage breeds. I already picked Black Australorp and Buff Orpington. They need to be friendly

 

[Percheron chick]

RIRs have a reputation of being bullies in a mixed flock. EEs are not heritage birds but green eggs are always fun. Get whatever breed is suited for your climate and what you find interesting

 

[Jdc361]

RIRs have a reputation of being bullies in a mixed flock. EEs are not heritage birds but green eggs are always fun. Get whatever breed is suited for your climate and what you find interesting

Well I would like suggestions and expiriences and reasons why I should get the breeds.

 

[Michael OShay]

Black Australorps and Buff Orpingtons are both excellent breeds. I've raised both of them for years (along with dozens of other breeds) and they are hardy, calm and gentle (my children and granddaughter made lap pets of both breeds), and good layers of large brown eggs (Australorps are superb layers). I agree with Percheron Chick about the RIRs. They can be aggressive (especially the roosters). I would suggest getting calm and gentle breeds like the Australorps and Orpingtons. Brahmas would be an excellent choice. The first breed I ever raised were Brahmas (about 50 years ago), and they were gentle giants. Other standard breeds that have a well deserved reputation for being calm and gentle are Cochins, Speckled Sussex, and Faverolles. If goog egg production is important though, I would avoid the Cochins as they are poor layers (although excellent brooders and mothers). If egg production is a high priority and you don't mind hybrids, I would recommend Black Sex Links (Black Stars), which are friendly and hardy egg laying machines. Over the years, they have been my best layers, consistently churning out more than 300 eggs per hen per year. Whatever breed you decide to get, good luck with your flock.

 

[Jdc361]

Black Australorps and Buff Orpingtons are both excellent breeds. I've raised both of them for years (along with dozens of other breeds) and they are hardy, calm and gentle (my children and granddaughter made lap pets of both breeds), and good layers of large brown eggs (Australorps are superb layers). I agree with Percheron Chick about the RIRs. They can be aggressive (especially the roosters). I would suggest getting calm and gentle breeds like the Australorps and Orpingtons. Brahmas would be an excellent choice. The first breed I ever raised were Brahmas (about 50 years ago), and they were gentle giants. Other standard breeds that have a well deserved reputation for being calm and gentle are Cochins, Speckled Sussex, and Faverolles. If goog egg production is important though, I would avoid the Cochins as they are poor layers (although excellent brooders and mothers). If egg production is a high priority and you don't mind hybrids, I would recommend Black Sex Links (Black Stars), which are friendly and hardy egg laying machines. Over the years, they have been my best layers, consistently churning out more than 300 eggs per hen per year. Whatever breed you decide to get, good luck with your flock.

Ok I will get a brahma but what about barred rocks? Or maybe even Marans?

 

[Michael OShay]

Ok I will get a brahma but what about barred rocks? Or maybe even Marans?

They are generally docile breeds but not quite to the Australorp/Orpington/Brahma standard. I've occasionally had an aggressive Barred Rock or Maran although those were definitely the exceptions rather than the rule. One thing I really love about the Marans is their chocolate eggs. In my personal opinion, they are the prettiest eggs in the chicken world.

 

[Jdc361]

They are generally docile breeds but not quite to the Australorp/Orpington/Brahma standard. I've occasionally had an aggressive Barred Rock or Maran although those were definitely the exceptions rather than the rule. One thing I really love about the Marans is their chocolate eggs. In my personal opinion, they are the prettiest eggs in the chicken world.

So any other heritage breeds you recommend

 

[Michael OShay]

So any other heritage breeds you recommend

The ones I mentioned in my first post typically have the calmest and most gentle temperament, but other breeds that generally have good dispositions include Welsummers, Delawares, Dominiques, Jersey Giants, Langshans, Wyandottes, Marans, Ameraucanas, and Plymouth Rocks. Of this group, I probably prefer either the Welsummers, Wyandottes, or Plymouth Rocks. The Welsummers probably have the best temperament in general on this list, and (along with the Marans) the prettiest eggs (chocolate eggs). Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks, and Delawares are probably the best layers on this list (typically about 3-4 eggs per week per hen). Ameraucanas are usually docile and have pretty blue eggs, but while they will tolerate being handled, they don't normally like it. Silkies and Polish have even better temperaments that the breeds on this list (Silkies are probably unmatched in the chicken world for being sweet and gentle), but due to their small size (Silkies) and crests (Polish), it is not advisable to mix them in with other standard breeds as they will usually take a beating. If I was strictly raising heritage breeds, my personal top eight choices would probably be (in order of preference) Australorps, Orpingtons, Speckled Sussex, Brahmas, Faverolles, Welsummers, Wyandottes, and Plymouth Rocks. All of these breeds would make for a good combination of hardiness, generally good temperament, and good laying ability.

 

[Jdc361]

The ones I mentioned in my first post typically have the calmest and most gentle temperament, but other breeds that generally have good dispositions include Welsummers, Delawares, Dominiques, Jersey Giants, Langshans, Wyandottes, Marans, Ameraucanas, and Plymouth Rocks. Of this group, I probably prefer either the Welsummers, Wyandottes, or Plymouth Rocks. The Welsummers probably have the best temperament in general on this list, and (along with the Marans) the prettiest eggs (chocolate eggs). Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks, and Delawares are probably the best layers on this list (typically about 3-4 eggs per week per hen). Ameraucanas are usually docile and have pretty blue eggs, but while they will tolerate being handled, they don't normally like it. Silkies and Polish have even better temperaments that the breeds on this list (Silkies are probably unmatched in the chicken world for being sweet and gentle), but due to their small size (Silkies) and crests (Polish), it is not advisable to mix them in with other standard breeds as they will usually take a beating. If I was strictly raising heritage breeds, my personal top eight choices would probably be (in order of preference) Australorps, Orpingtons, Speckled Sussex, Brahmas, Faverolles, Welsummers, Wyandottes, and Plymouth Rocks. All of these breeds would make for a good combination of hardiness, generally good temperament, and good laying ability.

Thank you!!!!!

 

[Michael OShay]

Thank you!!!!!

You're welcome.