Do different breeds of chickens get along?

[Chambertin]

I like to get them as chicks.
They are a little more succeptable to disease, but you will learn much more and be ready for anything once they grow up. Chickens are really tough compared to my expectatoins.
The other benefit is that they will grow up with you and they will be much easier to handle and care for. If you get them as hens then you get eggs faster and wont have any disease (hopefully) worries, but they will forever be a little distant from you.

I guess it depends on how you want to handle your girls.
Close like pets or a very personal flock - chicks
Utility girls who produce for the family - hens

My choice is chicks, we had it both ways and the from chicks girls are always more fun and have real personalities.

 

[thebanthams]

chicks will be better !

 

[redsoxs]

For eggs sooner, get hens. For the cute factor and fun of raising chicks, get chicks. Plus, growing up together they will get along without you having to integrate them. Plus, YOU know exactly how YOUR chicks were raised. And they'll bond with you better as chicks. Good luck to you!

 

[aldarita]

Hello I am in Texas too. I just started with 9 chicks last April and so far I am doing great, lucky me!!! Got different breeds (all hybrids from Ideal hatchery in Cameron). They get along very well, 2 of my Rhode Island Reds are bullies and sort of terrorize my hens in the lower pecking order. I don't know where in Texas you are (I am in the south) and summers are something that you really have to consider when choosing breeds. Heat is really hard on chickens, they can stand cold weather a lot better than heat so choose breeds that can tolerate heat and be prepare to have a coop with lots of ventilation and shade.

 

[aldarita]

completely agree with redsoxs, it is best to get chicks

 

[tadpole98]

If you want egg layers I have goid Wyandottes to stink at that. :/

If ornamental is what you want:
Wyandottes
Polish
Orpingtons
Cochins

If egg laying/ friendly:
Light Sussex
Easter eggers
Ameracauna
Leghorns
Red/ black sex links
Leg bars
Isbars
Rhodebar

Maybe ornamental bantams?
Cochins
Silkies
Sebright
Seramas

Laying bantams:
Old english game

 

[countrygirl74]

I just want to suggest Barred Plymouth Rocks as a wonderful breed. We have EE's, Barred Rocks, Speckled Sussex, Rhode Island Red, and Silkies. The Barred Rocks are wonderful birds - every time I've had any, I've never had any complaints. They are good egg layers, hardy, and very friendly. I would definitely include some of those. We are adding some new breeds in a few weeks, trying out some Naked Neck Turkens, Buff Orpintons, and Bar Cochin, so can't comment on those yet.
We always get all our chickens as chicks so we can raise them - it's fun, and we can handle them a lot so they are very friendly.

 

[mmktdox]

I just want to suggest Barred Plymouth Rocks as a wonderful breed. We have EE's, Barred Rocks, Speckled Sussex, Rhode Island Red, and Silkies. The Barred Rocks are wonderful birds - every time I've had any, I've never had any complaints. They are good egg layers, hardy, and very friendly. I would definitely include some of those. We are adding some new breeds in a few weeks, trying out some Naked Neck Turkens, Buff Orpintons, and Bar Cochin, so can't comment on those yet.
We always get all our chickens as chicks so we can raise them - it's fun, and we can handle them a lot so they are very friendly.

X2! The Barred Rocks are very friendly, excellent layers and they do well in all types of weather!

 

[menavenum80]

We have a bit of a mix but we got them all together as week old chicks so far they are doing fine with each other at 3 weeks now. I'm not sure about putting adults together but mixing as babies is probably the best way to go so that they know and trust each other.

 

[menavenum80]

I have been told tho that if you get silkies to get more than one so they have each other as protection and companion