Different Chicken Breeds in Small Flock

[Samaria M]

Hi all!
I am starting my first flock this spring and am planning the breeds of chickens I have. I will be starting small (3 chickens). I know it's common to keep chickens of different breeds together in the same flock, but I'm wondering if it would present a problem with a flock this size. For example, say I get a silkie who's about 3lbs, an easter egger who's about 4lbs, and a black orpington who's about 7lbs. Would the larger bird be much more likely to bully the small bird? Would this situation be likely to result in an "outcast"? In case it is helpful, the hens will all be raised together from the time they are chicks.

Thank you for your input!

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. If you put your general location into your profile it will be easier for people to give well-targeted advice since climate matters.

Many people keep mixed flocks with larger and smaller birds and it's not always the large birds who are on top of the pecking order.

It often comes down more to individual personality than to breed when the pecking order sorts itself off, but with your birds raised together it's likely that they'll get on well.

One thing you can to do help this along is to make sure that you give your birds a generous space to live in. The usual recommendations are,

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

But if you can give them more space than that it will make it easier for you and better for them too.

This coop was designed to meet all the minimums for a flock of 4: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/

 

[Aunt Angus]

It should be fine, esp if they are raised together. I have a very mixed flock, and even when it was just a few chickens back in the day, it was perfectly fine.

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

Hi all!
I am starting my first flock this spring and am planning the breeds of chickens I have. I will be starting small (3 chickens). I know it's common to keep chickens of different breeds together in the same flock, but I'm wondering if it would present a problem with a flock this size. For example, say I get a silkie who's about 3lbs, an easter egger who's about 4lbs, and a black orpington who's about 7lbs. Would the larger bird be much more likely to bully the small bird? Would this situation be likely to result in an "outcast"? In case it is helpful, the hens will all be raised together from the time they are chicks.

Thank you for your input!

As long as you have enough space you should be fine. In my experience, Orpingtons, and large chickens in general rarely bully. I have a large Bielefelder now, with a couple legbars and a leghorn white are much smaller than her, and she has never shown any aggression.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

It should be fine, esp if they are raised together. I have a very mixed flock, and even when it was just a few chickens back in the day, it was perfectly fine.

x2
I have a mix of big fat fatties and petite lil beauties…all same age and get along well.
Welcome to BYC, btw

 

[K0k0shka]

Just stay away from RIRs and you'll be fine.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Silkies can be a special case, especially depending on the climate where you live. They can't fly, or see well, and those cute feathers aren't good insulation for them in extreme cold.
Some breed types have (sometimes well deserved) reputations for being aggressive towards flockmates (hatchery RIRs, for example) or for being very meek and mild (Salmon Favorelles) and aren't best in the same flock.
Otherwise, it's about individual temperaments, space, everything already mentioned.
Yes, order birds of breeds that look interesting, and see how you like them!
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

I am going to be the nay sayer. If this is your first flock, no need to make it harder than necessary. I would suggest either all bantam size or all full size. Nothing is uglier, and ruins the enjoyment of your flock as fighting, bullying and other ugly chicken behavior.

In my experience, being raised together has almost no influence on behavior of full grown birds

Space has been mentioned several time, because it is incredibly important. The thing is, what seems like way too much space for chicks, often times becomes not enough space for full size birds.

Mrs K

 

[Iluveggers]

I have a mixed flock of 10. I specifically picked 9 breeds that are known for being docile and non-agressive. Smallest is an Easter Egger about 4 lbs, largest is a Brahma about 9 lbs. The girls have not shown bullying beyond an occasional peck when someone wants the same treat or what I call the “face off” where they stare at each other until one looks away. Lol. Size is much less important than temperament. I have never owned a Silkie, but I do know some people that keep the Silkies separate from other larger chickens since they are so small and can’t see well. If you want a mixed flock (which I highly encourage, I love the different ladies!), maybe go with all standard hens of various sizes just to be safe? Lots of other docile breeds…Cochins, Faverolles, Dorkings, Turkens, Sussex, Delaware, Orpington, Brahma, Bielefelder…lots of docile personalities!

I do agree with avoiding Rhode Island Reds…The only bully in my aunts flock is a Production Red which has RIR genes. Lots of friendly RIRs but they can be bullies in a mixed group.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

 

[raingarden]

Mixed flocks look untidy to me, Like a junk yard. A flock of birds the same age and breed looks harmonious; whether or not they fight amongst themselves.