Do different breeds of chickens get along with eachother?

well they are 6 weeks old , and the roo and hen are 1 year the roo doesn't bother them just the hen , but if i'm out in the fenced area she leaves them alone. will they ever get along? this next week I'm gettig some silkies bantams will they have a problem with my other bantams when i turn them out? boy didn't think this would be an issue with chickens i figured they would all be like family!
 
Chickens are flock animals with a pecking order that can change from time to time. Outsiders are seen as a threat to the well being of the flock. Outsiders can bring disease and compete for food and water. They are shunned, attacked or sometimes even killed. It's how it has been for many thousands of years.
It really is a good idea to think long and hard about how many one can make facilities for and start with as many as they can have legally and reasonably care for.

A question for those that continually add chickens from multiple sources. Are you adhering to a good quarantine program? Being equipped for quarantine will save lots of headache in the future.
 
Hello, Ljorgie, this is an older thread, and I haven't read it, so starting here; where about are you located? Hot climate, cold, temperate? It matters. How old your current birds, and are they all females?
Many breed types will work, although there are some who may be more difficult.
Production reds, which includes those 'orange' Rhode Island Reds from hatcheries, all tend to be bad at feather picking and harassing their flockmates. They are good laying hens for a year or maybe two, but can be disruptive.
Salmon Favorelles are very sweet birds, sometimes too timid to cope in a mixed breed flock. Definitely not with production reds! I think they do best in a flock all their own.
For fun egg colors, try some Easter Eggers, and maybe brown Leghorns too. Then Speckled Sussex, Wyandottes in so many colors, Chanteclers if you are in a colder climate, or any single combed breeds in hot climates.
Henderson's breed chart is really helpful. For rare breeds, look at the American Livestock Breed Conservancy. For more photos, feathersite and the poultry catalogs.
Have fun!
Mary
 
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Hello, Ljorgie, this is an older thread, and I haven't read it, so starting here; where about are you located? Hot climate, cold, temperate? It matters. Are old your current birds, and are they all females?
Many breed types will work, although there are some who may be more difficult.
Production reds, which includes those 'orange' Rhode Island Reds from hatcheries, all tend to be bad at feather picking and harassing their flockmates. They are good laying hens for a year or maybe two, but can be disruptive.
Salmon Favorelles are very sweet birds, sometimes too timid to cope in a mixed breed flock. Definitely not with production reds! I think they do best in a flock all their own.
For fun egg colors, try some Easter Eggers, and maybe brown Leghorns too. Then Speckled Sussex, Wyandottes in so many colors, Chanteclers if you are in a colder climate, or any single combed breeds in hot climates.
Henderson's breed chart is really helpful. For rare breeds, look at the American Livestock Breed Conservancy. For more photos, feathersite and the poultry catalogs.
Have fun!
Mary
Thanks you so much for the info.
I live in NJ
I have 4 hens and they are 7 weeks old
 
Your girls are pullets until they are one year of age, then they are hens. Likewise males are cockerels until one year old, then cock birds or roosters. It's easier to describe them that way.
There are so many breeds and colors!!! Study up a bit, and then pick some that you will love to look at every day, and try them. Over the years, some we thought would be perfect, weren't, even though they were very popular. Others, less popular, fit much better for us. If you have the space, get some of several breeds and see how it goes.
Have fun!
Mary
 
Just my experience, the similar breeds tend to pair up, mine have anyway. They get along for the most part(except for one bully atm), buy my two easter eggers pair up, the two buffs pair up and the two plymouth blues pair up. Shrug, I duno why?
 

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