Flock mix?

[meglynnie]

Good morning flock!

I have 10 RIRs and have made an order for 6 more chicks for the shipment of 06.17.19.

However I am rethinking my purchase.

I ordered 2 Easter Eggers, 2 silver laced wyandottes, and 2 buff polish. After reading I am thinking of canceling the polish, as much as I want them I read they get pick on a lot by the heavier breeds which I have.

Would the Easter Eggers do well with the RIRs and wyandottes?
If I would add another breed I may do 2 Leghorns then, would those be okay with all of my RIRs?

Thank You!

 

[Roo5]

Rhode Island’s are notorious for being aggressive, the other breeds could probably handle themselves well,you can’t say the polish are gonna get picked on,However it is a good chance just based off the fact of whom their gonna be rooming with.I would get the polish still and see how well they do, what’s your purpose,do you want these 6 chicks for eggs?

 

[meglynnie]

Rhode Island’s are notorious for being aggressive, the other breeds could probably handle themselves well,you can’t say the polish are gonna get picked on,However it is a good chance just based off the fact of whom their gonna be rooming with.I would get the polish still and see how well they do, what’s your purpose,do you want these 6 chicks for eggs?

Thank you for you response! I am wanting eggs, and after reading more about the polish, they are not best known for egg layers, so I think I may do the leghorns instead.

 

[LaidWithLove]

I will say any bird of any breed can behave in any way.. that said there ARE stereotypes and RIR's are known for being witches. Easter Eggers, I have had tons of experience with, and some are definitely aggressive, others very docile. It depends on the bird.
Leghorns I have always read/heard are bossy and mean, have never owned them myself. Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

A lot will depend on you space and set up. If this will cramp things in the least, I would vote no to the polish birds.

You are nearly doubling your flock, you will need to watch for signs of tension in the flock as the chicks grow. Sometimes people think that if they grow up together, they will stay nice, but chickens don't work that way, what was enough room when they are chicks, rapidly becomes not enough space as they get big. And lack of space will increase any problems due to tension

I would have the chicks down in a see-no touch pen by 3 weeks of age.

good luck

 

[Pekin Brook Farmer]

This is something I have quite a bit of experience in. My first flock started with 5 black minorca chicks given to me. After that I was hooked and everytime I went into the local feed store I had to answer the call of all the peep peep peeps and bring some home. Being new to raising chickens I had no idea what I wanted so I brought some of each home. I currently have a flock of 29 hens and roosters with bantam breeds mixed in and 1 turkey. Here's what I've learned; there will always be a pecking order that will need to be established with any new members you introduce but after that they pretty much all get along. My best layers are RIR but Wyandottes are the prettiest. The leghorns I had were ok layers but very flighty and skittish. IMO, get the easter Eggers and the Wyandottes. You won't be disappointed.

 

[msiler]

Personally, I would go ahead and get the Polish but give a long introduction period when introducing the new chicks into the original flock. I have many times over successfully integrated and kept Polish, Silkies, and other bantams with standard size hens and one turkey. In General, my "misfits" grouped together and stayed by each other so it was like I had two cliques in the flock.
I haven't had multiple Rhode Island reds, but the one I did have was not the top hen and wasn't aggressive. I have found that my Wyandottes are the reining queens! They are fair rulers though

 

[50-45-1]

Rhode island reds are a breed i definatly avoid due to them being aggresive and big bullies to the meeker breeds. New hampshire reds are by far milder personalities.
I would cancel the polish.
Maybe your RIR's will not give your younger birds alot of trouble come intrigation time.
Space will be a huge factor when that time comes, as stated above.
Good luck!