Can I Successfully Have These Breeds In a Mixed Flock?

[Allie Grace Sanders]

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?

 

[bruceha2000]

They are chickens, they will have a pecking order.

4 Americanas

Meaning Easter Eggers?

I've not had Polish or Orpingtons. My 2 White Rocks (2.5 Y/O) and 2 Welsummers (.75 Y/O) do fine. The .75 Y/O EE is the third of the "3 Musketeers" with the Welsummers. One of the 2.5 Y/O EEs was bottom of the flock and chased the new girls trying to hold her relative position, she will eventually lose.

The Mediterranean breeds are presumably more "assertive" and you have none of them. I think the biggest factor in the birds getting along is that they have plenty of space in the coop and run and if you don't have feed out all the time, enough feeders spread around that they don't have to fight to get to the food.

 

[Abriana]

Often other breeds pick on polish because of their crest. To help place cotton balls around the pen and maybe they’ll take interest in that instead. Put several cotton balls together (using glue) and then glue them to the coop or fence, or cage. Whatever is available. Or a board. Don’t let them eat them, they might eat a little bit if they are disappearing take them out and try something else. Good luck!

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Meaning Easter Eggers?

The hatchery has them listed as Americana.( I don't care if they aren't true.)

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Often other breeds pick on polish because of their crest. To help place cotton balls around the pen and maybe they’ll take interest in that instead. Put several cotton balls together (using glue) and then glue them to the coop or fence, or cage. Whatever is available. Or a board. Don’t let them eat them, they might eat a little bit if they are disappearing take them out and try something else. Good luck!

Thanks for the tip! I have no experience with these breeds. Oh ya, I am buying from Hoover's Hatchery.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

The hatchery has them listed as Americana.( I don't care if they aren't true.)

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

 

[Table4Six]

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!

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

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

I was going to add EE's too, but when I added them it said they were Americana?

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

They should all get along. But as others have said, they will pick more on the polish. I have a polish in with my other chickens, and they are fine. I have been cutting her head feathers, so she can see, because it drives me nuts to imagine being her! (note: I'm probably not getting polish again. Whoever bred them up must have not been thinking of the welfare of the chicken!) I had three, but I had some young roosters that were just warming up to the hens, and they chased those polish, and they flew off, then couldn't see to get back, so they just sat back for the night, and got eaten. I lost two. I sent the third to a friend, and got her back when all was safe again!

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

They should all get along. But as others have said, they will pick more on the polish. I have a polish in with my other chickens, and they are fine. I have been cutting her head feathers, so she can see, because it drives me nuts to imagine being her! (note: I'm probably not getting polish again. Whoever bred them up must have not been thinking of the welfare of the chicken!) I had three, but I had some young roosters that were just warming up to the hens, and they chased those polish, and they flew off, then couldn't see to get back, so they just sat back for the night, and got eaten. I lost two. I sent the third to a friend, and got her back when all was safe again!

Sorry for your loss!