Expanding My Flock?

[clafisher]

I have 6 bantam hens that are about 4 months old and I absolutely love them! Because of how much fun I've had with them, I'm looking to expand my flock in the spring. I am currently trying to decide what breeds I would like to get and how many. Right now, I have 3 buff brahmas, 2 mottled cochins, and 1 mille fleur d'uccle. I live in Indiana so whatever breed I get should be cold hardy. I'm wondering if 3 standard laying hens would get along well with my current bunch? And if so, how would I go about introducing them? I'm looking for very friendly birds as I see them more as pets than a food source, but eggs would be nice too. Any breed recommendations (standard or bantam) would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

I'm a large fowl kind of a person, so I'll wait for more experienced folks to answer your question and make recommendations.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Add some silkies and sebrights. People have mixed results with a bantam and large fowl flock. Good luck. Can you post pictures?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have 6 bantam hens that are about 4 months old and I absolutely love them! Because of how much fun I've had with them, I'm looking to expand my flock in the spring. I am currently trying to decide what breeds I would like to get and how many. Right now, I have 3 buff brahmas, 2 mottled cochins, and 1 mille fleur d'uccle. I live in Indiana so whatever breed I get should be cold hardy. I'm wondering if 3 standard laying hens would get along well with my current bunch? And if so, how would I go about introducing them? I'm looking for very friendly birds as I see them more as pets than a food source, but eggs would be nice too. Any breed recommendations (standard or bantam) would be much appreciated. Thank you!

You may be able to add a few gentle large breeds, and you may end up with your bantam being harassed. I have found all bantam breeds to be winter hardy here in Wisconsin. Mine often stay in their coop in the winter.

As far as breeds I will always recommend more bantam cochins. You could try some adorable frizzles. D'uccle come in many different colors. Silkies has done well with my cochins and d'uccle. Another option is to hatch some eggs in the spring when they all start going broody.

As far as large breeds you could consider buff Orpington, Easter eggers, and definitely salmon faverolle, as well as standard cochins. You will need a back up plan in case the bigs pick on the littles. You may even be able to get one of those broody bantams to raise the chicks.

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings and welcome to BYC. Lots of great folks here to help with questions Please make yourself at home and browse around. Lots of info and experience shared here. My Buff orps were OK egg layers but extremely friendly. Many folks have found that their bantams end up being the "beater uppers" of the large fowl Justsayin... If you do some reading in the breed section you'll learn a lot about lots of breeds to maybe make your choice easier (or more confusing) . Glad to have you with us.