I recently placed an order for one each of the following chicks, shipping Feb 2nd: Easter Egger Welsummer Black Copper Marans Golden Comet (someone has to crank out eggs, a friend is "investing" in exchange for eggs) Gold Laced Wyandotte Ordered from chickensforbackyards.Com I, like most first time chicken keepers, was seduced by the idea of a colorful egg basket. I wanted attractive chickens that I could distinguish from each other, hence the mixed flock. As I read more and more reviews, I'm getting worried about the GLW and the Welsummer being a bit too aggressive for a mixed flock. Should I switch up this order? I'm not needing a very broody bird, I want everyone to get along and I'd like lots of eggs. I need docile or reasonably docile heavy birds, tolerant of cold and confinement. I'm probably just getting first-time chicken owning jitters and over thinking things. Advice? Reassurance?
On female side I would not be concerned about excess aggression. If realized you will have multiple ways to mitigate social strife and that will not likely be seen until summer.
They'll most likely be fine. I have a mixed flock and never had an issue, even when I did two separate integrations. The only time I pay attention to breed temperaments is for Roos.
I've had all those breeds except the Marans, in addition to black sex links, Rocks of different colors, speckled Sussex, silver laced Wyandottes, hatchery Red birds, Leghorns, Orpingtons and a ton of mixed breeds. I've never had a specific breed be singled out or bullied. All the birds you listed should get along just fine. I've never heard of Wellies or Wyandottes being more aggressive than any other breed. Really, the only breed I hear that about consistently is hatchery Red birds. I think mixed flocks are great, and many of us here have them with no problems. I like being able to tell my birds apart, and getting to experience the different breeds. The main key to a harmonious flock is space. You need a generous amount of space to keep your birds mentally and physically healthy.
Donrae x 2!!! Give your flock PLENTY of space... more than the recommended 4 s.f. in the coop/10 s.f. out of the coop/bird. I can tell you that your EE will probably be at the bottom of the pecking order... someone has to be there, right? Good mix. I love a mixed egg basket. But my preference is to have at least 2 of each breed. I've found that birds of the same color and breed often, but not always hang out together.
Donrae Quote: x 3 What you want to do, is build a coop/run that will hold twice as many full grown birds from what you have ordered......... trust me. Welcome to the forum, this is a wonderful hobby. Mrs K
Thank you for the reassurance! The Gals have a nice big coop and a big safe yard to range in, I see there's plenty of ideas on here about how to keep boredom at bay too. It is amazing how varied some reports/reviews are on these breeds. I guess if you think about it, they are just the same as any animal, with some inclinations toward a certain personality, but with a large factor being how they were bred and raised. I have two extremely friendly, non-aggressive rottweilers, for example, bred with care and raised with rules and kindness. Could they have been the most vicious dogs I've ever had? Certainly. Are they? Nope, because I put the work in. I'm feeling better now, thanks. Gosh does everyone get jitters like this when they first choose a chicken?!
I have every breed on your list except GLW (but have friends with them as well as other breeds) plus a few extra breeds, multiples of most, and everyone gets along just fine. And because I was adding a breed or a few at a time it took me several integrations so getting them at the same time should make it even easier. I wouldn't worry. My welsumer gets along well with everyone, a really sweet chicken. She's my current avator.
