Can I Successfully Have These Breeds In a Mixed Flock?

[Abriana]

I have 3 polishes in a very diverse flock and they all get along great. I would just make sure that you have plenty of room for all the birds so they don't feel the need to start picking on the polishes. Good luck!

Cute profile pic! Just wanted to say. Are those Pekin’s? And a black runner?

 

[Huntsville Saloon]

Day dreaming about spring chickens... I (think) that that I have figured out which breeds I am getting. I plan on getting: 4 Americanas, 8 Buff Orpingtons, 8 Barred Rocks, 4 Welsummers, and 2 Buff Laced Polish. If I get them, will they all get along?

I would worry about the Polish in that mix. They tend to get picked on by the bigger breeds. The others "should" get along.

 

[bruceha2000]

If they are at a hatchery, they are definitely Easter Eggers. I don't k ow why hatcheries do that.....

Not entirely true, a couple have real APA Ameraucana. Meyer for example has Blue Ameraucana and got their stock from one of the people who got the breed started. Meyer also sells Easter Eggers, under the name (surprise!!) Easter Egger. EEs are not a recognized breed but I find them to be great chickens. I have 17 hens, 4 of them are EEs. I have 3 Black Australorps and no more than 2 of any other breed.

Americana (note the spelling) is one way some hatcheries try to fool people into thinking they are selling Ameraucana.

Note this from Hoover's:
"The Easter Egger, or Ameraucana, is a fast growing, hardy, and prolific layer of greenish blue eggs. They come in a variety of beautiful colors and have puffy cheeks. The name derives from the resemblance of their colorful eggs to Easter eggs."

They would be OK IF they had left out the word "Ameraucana". And they have proven they are NOT selling APA Ameraucana with the description of the eggs being greenish blue. An APA Ameraucana can NOT lay an egg that is any shade of green. Blue is the only egg color allowed. There are also VERY specific feather colors allowed and an APA Ameraucana will ALWAYS be sold by color, not generic nor will they ever be patterned like a typical Easter Egger. APA Ameraucana were bred from what we now call Easter Eggers. At the time they were called Araucana and could have features of what would eventually become APA Araucana or APA Ameraucana.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would also nix the Polish. The other breeds are fine, but it's helpful if you post your general location. Since some breeds do better in warm climates, while others do better in colder climates. Small combs do well in cold climates, big combs don't do as well in frigid climates.

You're gonna need a large coop/run for that many birds. General recommendation is for at least 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird.

As for the suggestion to put cotton balls around your coop/run to detract flock members from picking on polish chickens, I advise against using anything in/around your chicken coop/run that could harm them if eaten. Cotton balls could cause an impaction.

Cackle is also honest re: their labeling of EE vs. Ameraucanas.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

I'll add my state in my profile.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Also, what is the best time to get chicks for a lot of eggs?

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

I have decided to skip to Polish drama, and go with Silver Laced Wyandottes! I can't wait 'til we build or buy a new coop, and get my babies!

 

[bruceha2000]

OK, since you don't have a coop yet, check out the coop threads here for ideas. It does NOT have to be fancy, the chickens REALLY do not care. Plenty of room and PLENTY of ventilation without drafts on the birds are the key features. And 1/2" hardware cloth covering ALL openings. Do NOT use "Arrow staple gun" type staples to fasten it. Use poultry/fence staples, screws with washers or battens fastened with screws through the hardware cloth to the frame.

Oh, and start the coop early because chicks grow FAST and you want them out in the coop not in the house.

And another "Oh". Check out the Mama Heating Pad thread. FAR better brooder than a heat lamp.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

OK, since you don't have a coop yet, check out the coop threads here for ideas. It does NOT have to be fancy, the chickens REALLY do not care. Plenty of room and PLENTY of ventilation without drafts on the birds are the key features. And 1/2" hardware cloth covering ALL openings. Do NOT use "Arrow staple gun" type staples to fasten it. Use poultry/fence staples, screws with washers or battens fastened with screws through the hardware cloth to the frame.

Oh, and start the coop early because chicks grow FAST and you want them out in the coop not in the house.

And another "Oh". Check out the Mama Heating Pad thread. FAR better brooder than a heat lamp.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

Thanks for all the advice! I do have a coop(if you can even call it that!) But it is a pre-built. We are expanding and selling more eggs so we need more room! Thanks again!

 

[Ketty Ash]

Day dreaming about spring chickens... I (think) that that I have figured out which breeds I am getting. I plan on getting: 4 Americanas, 8 Buff Orpingtons, 8 Barred Rocks, 4 Welsummers, and 2 Buff Laced Polish. If I get them, will they all get along?

I had 6 amaeraucanas and two barred rocks. One of our barred rocks was a rooster and he was extremely aggressive to the hens and to us. We got rid of him and kept the hen. She and the ameraucanas get along fine.