can you safely mix breeds???

[StaatsFarms]

we are curious if it is safe to mix breeds??? we have 2 Welsummer roosters in with our other 11 Hens... of the 11 hens there are 6 different breeds... would it be wise to let them "mate"???

 

[Ang]

Mutt chickens are the best.

Let them do their thing!

 

[StaatsFarms]

thanks...

 

[walkswithdog]

Mutts are FINE. Let em run. I run four breeds together when they're not penned for purebreed production. Even great big Delawares with itty bitty Sizzles.

 

[nicalandia]

Quote:
Go ahead if all you want is to send them to freezer camp or to give them away, but if you plan on selling them people like pure breeds and wont pay what a pure breed is worth...good luck friend.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Just because they get together doesn't mean you'll have chicks everywhere. You have to have someone go broody or incubate. No harm done.

 

[StaatsFarms]

Quote:
Go ahead if all you want is to send them to freezer camp or to give them away, but if you plan on selling them people like pure breeds and wont pay what a pure breed is worth...good luck friend.

i am not planning on selling...but thanks for the advise

 

[StaatsFarms]

Quote:
yes i understand this... we are not planning on anything...just preparing!!!

 

[pdsavage]

Quote:
Go ahead if all you want is to send them to freezer camp or to give them away, but if you plan on selling them people like pure breeds and wont pay what a pure breed is worth...good luck friend.

I get money for my bantam cochin frizzle mix when i sell em on ebay,i get 15 bucks for 6+ eggs...
It all depends on if they like the look of your chickens or the offspring....

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Not sure what you mean by "safe"? The only safety issue is if you have large birds injuring small ones, but in my experience that is unusual. You also want to qurantine any new birds to prevent them passing diseases to each other--least I've heard is a week, most is a couple of months.

As for mixed birds, if you are planning to exhibit or sell hatching eggs or chicks (which I believe you said you weren't), then don't mix except for planned projects.

If you are merely setting up your own flock, go for whatever drives your fancy--I would say that there are a pair of breeds better to not mix for a barnyard flock (cornish X plymouth rock) as they will have health issues and not survive to laying age without extreme care.