Chicken Socialization

[kmdsparrow]

How well do different breeds of chickens get along together? I'm planning on ordering about 6 chickens and am looking at the Easter Egger, Silkies and Buff Orpinton. Should I stick with one breed or mix and match? I know this isn't a game, but I am a real beginner at this. I appreciate all who respond.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
Hey, welcome to BYC! Mixing and matching is totally fine. The don't know they're of different breeds. The challenge is in integrating older chickens into an existing flock, regardless of breed!

 

[Willow's Meadow]

I agree with AdozenGirlz. Different breeds can mix with other. Oh and

 

[sourland]

Sometimes standard breds will pick on silkies because of the difference in size. Also silkies with heavy head feathering can have their vision obscured and become more vulnerable to attack. Someone always has to be on the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[elmo]

The other advice I was given my an experienced chicken keeping friend was to avoid singletons: only one chicken of a particular breed. He told me the singletons he's kept in the past seemed a bit lonely with no other birds like themselves to flock with.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
I got 4 silkies with my first batch of 14 mixed breeds and had no problem with them being picked on. They're not at the bottom of the pecking order either. That's been my experience.

 

[TwilightMom]

I have 6 different breeds of chickens, seven chickens. They all get a long well. The two buff orpingtons are the only pair I have. They do seem to stick together and co-boss the flock.