Can I have a completely mixed flock?

[Jdc361]

I'm New to backyard chickens and am new to chickens! I am going to get 6 chicks from tractor supply and they need to be cold hardy. Can I have six different breeds of chickens? And are white leghorns cold hardy?

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Welcome to BYC!

Yes, to the totally mixed flock. I'd recommend you select breeds that are similar in size and nature. I have mixed birds that include black sex links, barred rocks, delaware's, and buff orpington. All of mine do well in winter, as well.

I don't have any experience with Leghorn's but understand that they have large floppy combs that could be subject to frostbite in severe cold weather.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Jdc361]

I heard ThaT But can I just put Vaseline on their comb? I just want hens for eggs.

 

[Jdc361]

And thanks!!!

 

[dekel18042]

I'm New to backyard chickens and am new to chickens! I am going to get 6 chicks from tractor supply and they need to be cold hardy. Can I have six different breeds of chickens? And are white leghorns cold hardy?

You can have different breeds within your flock.
What range of temperatures do you have? While leghorns are sort of hardy, their big combs are prime candidates for frostbite so I neither have nor do I want any for that reason. I prefer birds with smaller combs. There are many really cold hardy breeds. You can goggle cold hardy chickens to get some ideas, plus there are threads on here.
Some of the ones I have or have had are:
Easter Eggers (My favorites)
Ameraucanas
Jersey Giants
buckeyes (another favorite)
chanteclers
marans
I've had Rhode Island Reds in the past but I do prefer the buckeyes.
In the winter our temps go as low as -10*.

 

[dekel18042]

I heard ThaT But can I just put Vaseline on their comb? I just want hens for eggs.

You can, but Vaseline is not a cure all, It helps, but sometimes (Often?) their combs still suffer frostbite.

 

[Jdc361]

We get down to -10 as well... I'm planning on buying them from tractor supply so I won't have many choices.

 

[Book Em Danno25]

I heard ThaT But can I just put Vaseline on their comb? I just want hens for eggs.

yes, you can put vaseline on their combs to prevent frostbite.

 

[dekel18042]

We get down to -10 as well... I'm planning on buying them from tractor supply so I won't have many choices.

While our Tractor Supply usually gets in about six different breeds at once, over the course of "chick days" they get in many more than that, a pretty good variety, including bantams and ducks. You can keep checking with them to see if they have anything you're interested in. Last year they had several types of sex links, leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, barred Plymouth rocks, light brahamas, several type of wyandottes and Cornish x's.
I'm thinking of adding a few white egg layers(Have none) to my flock for contrast but can't decide what. Every time O come up with a breed I discard it for some reason.