Do not mix Delawares?

[Jewellan]

I just read that Delawares do not mix well with other breeds, Can you tell me why? I have two of them and do not want to put them with the others if they are going to create problems. But the only other coop I have for them is VERY small. Are they good flyers? Maybe I could turn them loose in the yard?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I haven't had them but everything I've read is that they're gentle. Being a fast growing heavy breed, I doubt they're much at flying. That said, I had a Jersey Giant that would fly out all the time once she discovered tomatoes.

 

[Michael OShay]

I don't know who said Delawares did not mix well with other breeds. We've had Delawares in a mixed flock and know other people who have as well, and they do just fine. What kind of other breeds are you wanting to mix them with? I wouldn't mix them with aggressive breeds, but otherwise you should have no problems as long as you take proper steps in integrating them into your flock.

 

[Jewellan]

I don't know who said Delawares did not mix well with other breeds. We've had Delawares in a mixed flock and know other people who have as well, and they do just fine. What kind of other breeds are you wanting to mix them with? I wouldn't mix them with aggressive breeds, but otherwise you should have no problems as long as you take proper steps in integrating them into your flock.

I wanted to put them with a Jersey Giant, and two Blue favaucanas. They have been together since birth in the same brooder. So I don't get it either. I have two Cream Legbars coming and another blue Favaucana, but I want to put the two Cream Legbars in the small coop together. However I have heard that cream Legbars do not like to be crowded, I don't know about a small coop?....what do you think?

 

[Michael OShay]

The should mix fine with the jersey giants and fauvacaunas. I've never had legbars so I don't know about them. Maybe another BYC member can tell you how they do in a mixed flock. Anyone else out there know?

 

[Mrs. K]

I had delawares too in a mixed flock. No problems. Really liked them, but had a weasel that liked them better! ugh!

 

[Jewellan]

I had delawares too in a mixed flock. No problems. Really liked them, but had a weasel that liked them better! ugh!

YIKES! I'm sorry.

 

[donrae]

All the breed you mentioned should get along just fine.

 

[Jewellan]

All the breed you mentioned should get along just fine.

Thank you Donrae. I was worried. I heard that Delawares were feather pickers, but I am thinking now that any chicken can be a feather picker if they are not cared for properly. And thank you everyone for your knowledge as well. I didn't understand how a docile chicken could be a mean chicken too. It made no sense to me.

 

[donrae]

If you want some good stories about Delawares, read Speckledhen's old posts. She's had some really nice Delaware birds, one big rooster comes to mind. She had a mixed flock and everyone did fine.

She also authored the stickie at the top of the Managing Your Flock section, the Commandments of Good Flock Management. It's a good read, if you're new-ish and need a good foundation.