First flock - Mixed breeds - What to expect?

JenLeeChick

Hatching
May 2, 2015
2
0
7
Ok you chicken folk, I need advice on what to expect with this mixed flock.

My chicken history: My last chicken was named "Chicken" and she was a Black Japanese Bantam I had brooding in my room when I was 16 (no joke, she was sitting on my lap when I was curling my hair and getting ready for school. Gross/awesome/what was my mom thinking?!). She was my only chicken, she was amazing, cuddly, funny, and intelligent. She died in my arms after a neighbors dog go to her :'( Needless to say, I know chickens, but I don't know them.

Anyway, 12 years later I finally get my first official flock!

My first flock consists of:

2 Ameracaunas - Floki & YOLO - Inquisitive, falls asleep in my hands, cries when I'm out of site, etc.
1 Barred Rock - Cow (proudly named by my two year old son), flighty, funny, hates being picked up, chicken butt usually in the faces of the other chicks, quick to come when I call (sometimes too quick).
1 Buff Orpington - Fae - Sweeeeeet like honey, loves to snuggle, very docile, OMG I love her.

They seem very content. Not too loud, lots of cuddles, lots of sunlight, and generally seem to be very happy babies.

I have a decent-sized coop,and tons of moving space (even a large garden they'll have the pleasure of visiting a couple times a week).

With all that said, what can I expect from this flock (generally). From what I've read the rocks are pretty feisty and generally pick on the sweeties like the orpington.

Any advice about this particular grouping would be greatly appreciated.

Also, an adorable, fluffy photo:

 
I've had Barred Rocks over the years, and they are usually docile, but I have had the occasional one that has been aggressive with those breeds that are usually more gentle such as Buff Orpingtons. As long as your birds have plenty of space, they will likely do fine. Overcrowding can quickly lead to aggression, biting and feather plucking, and even cannibalism. Unless they came from a reputable breeder as opposed to a hatchery, feed store, or tractor supply, your Ameraucanas are actually Easter Eggers rather than true Ameraucanas which are relatively rare and expensive. Hatcheries and feed stores often and incorrectly market their Easter Eggers which are hybrids produced by crossing blue egg layers with brown egg layers to produce offspring that lay eggs in colors other than just blue as Ameraucanas. If you are not familiar with the difference, there is a good article at http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/09/ameraucana-easter-egger-or-araucana.html explaining the difference between true Ameraucanas, true Araucanas, and Easter Eggers. Easter Eggers are usually docile, although depending on which breeds are used in producing them, they can be quite variable in their personalities. Our EEs are docile, but somewhat standoffish. They will tolerate being handled, but unlike our Orpingtons and Australorps, they don't really like it.
 
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Thank you very much Michael! They feed store did label the chicks as Ameracaunas, but I had the hinting suspicion these babies are actually EEs (which I am happy with regardless), but it's great to know what breeds I'm actually dealing with.

I'll be sure to give these girls lots of room to run.

Again, thank you for your information and advice. I appreciate it very much.
 
Thank you very much Michael! They feed store did label the chicks as Ameracaunas, but I had the hinting suspicion these babies are actually EEs (which I am happy with regardless), but it's great to know what breeds I'm actually dealing with.

I'll be sure to give these girls lots of room to run.

Again, thank you for your information and advice. I appreciate it very much.

You're welcome.
 

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