Flocks of 8 or less

[twinmom+1VT]

I'm getting my first flock of chickens (6 per city ordinances). I have a couple questions:
1. Do you have a mixed flock? If so, how mixed (2 different kinds or 1 of each, etc.)
2. If you have 1 of each, do the chickens all get along?
3. What's your favorite breed in your flock?
4. What did you do when one of your chicks turned out to be a roo?

I'm thinking of getting one each of the following: Black Australorp, Buff Orpington, Golden Comet, Barred Rock, White Plymouth Rock, Easter Egger (sold as Aruancana - but pretty sure it's going to be an EE). Any special comments on any of these breeds?
I'm so excited for this new adventure!

 

[Teach97]

twinmom+1VT :

I'm getting my first flock of chickens (6 per city ordinances). I have a couple questions:
1. Do you have a mixed flock? If so, how mixed (2 different kinds or 1 of each, etc.)
2. If you have 1 of each, do the chickens all get along?
3. What's your favorite breed in your flock?
4. What did you do when one of your chicks turned out to be a roo?

I'm thinking of getting one each of the following: Black Australorp, Buff Orpington, Golden Comet, Barred Rock, White Plymouth Rock, Easter Egger (sold as Aruancana - but pretty sure it's going to be an EE). Any special comments on any of these breeds?
I'm so excited for this new adventure!

1. bunches of bunches of breeds

2. they get along..well...they talk and such but not sure they would help each other move or anything like that

3. favorite breed...um...shamo...no malay...no AGB...no...I just like game birds

4. I gave him girlfriends...I won't live anywhere where they tell me what I can and can't have​

 

[grasjm36]

1. I have 6 different breeds (used to have more).

2. I used to have has a silky (RIP) and she seemed to get picked on a lot of being 'different'.

3. I love love love love loooooove my barred rock. Shes absolutley super sweet.

4. Never raised chicks (YET)

Good luck!~

 

[MissJenny]

I'm getting five chicks, four different breeds -- I wanted a colorful henyard AND I wanted them to be friendly, docile, calm. And I wanted Easter Eggers, for sure. So, I am getting a Light Brahma, a Speckled Sussex, a Partridge Cochin and two Easter Eggers. It took forever for me to narrow the field down to these four.

So, when are you getting your chicks? You are going to take pictures and share them with us... aren't you?

Jenny

 

[Dixiedoodle]

I have a flock of 9 hens (would that work?) . Two each--EE, Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, RIR and one true Ameraucana.. I chose the different breeds, thinking I would enjoy the different colored eggs and they flock diversity.. It's been great. Since the Rooster is now gone--it is amazing how calm my girls are--they come closer, talk to me more, look better, they don't fuss w/ each other..

My girls seem to have two flocks w/in the flock--the colored egg girls roost together, hang out together and the others are always together..

I love the Ameraucana and EE for their egg color. I love the Barred Rocks for their black and white feathers and bright red combs.. The Buff lay a pretty dark cream egg. The Rhode Island Reds lay dark brown eggs--and lots of them.. So each breed 'bring' different things to the coop..

IMHO--a flock of all the same color hen and egg would be boring...

 

[keds]

I am starting with 3. An australorp, a black star and an easter egger. They are 6 weeks old and currently transitioning to the outside. Love it so far! Also I am really smitten with seramas and am researching them! Nice to meet other small flockers.

 

[jettgirl24]

I've got 4, including one orpington roo cuz I'm a rule breaker (city allows 3 hens)... 2 Barred Rocks and 2 Buff Orps. They get along just fine so far. Mine were sexed but I did end up with a roo and I'm planning on keeping him unless he causes issues with the neighbors. I've found him a great home where he won't be eaten just in case I do have to get rid of him so that has eased my mind about the whole thing! If roo roo stays and anyone gets broody I think I'll try hatching a clutch next year, otherwise I'll probably pick up one more hen and try to integrate her with the rest of the flock this summer. I really hope we get to kep the roo because he is far and away my favorite. He's super sweet, hilarious, and I think he's going to be absolutely gorgeous!

 

[teach1rusl]

twinmom+1VT :

I'm getting my first flock of chickens (6 per city ordinances). I have a couple questions:
1. Do you have a mixed flock? If so, how mixed (2 different kinds or 1 of each, etc.)
2. If you have 1 of each, do the chickens all get along?
3. What's your favorite breed in your flock?
4. What did you do when one of your chicks turned out to be a roo?

I'm thinking of getting one each of the following: Black Australorp, Buff Orpington, Golden Comet, Barred Rock, White Plymouth Rock, Easter Egger (sold as Aruancana - but pretty sure it's going to be an EE). Any special comments on any of these breeds?
I'm so excited for this new adventure!

1. Yes, a BA, an EE, a BR, a BO, and a GLW...five total
2. My group gets along well. I've never had any big personality conflicts...
3. Hard to say...I love my BR's friendly, inquisitive personality, but my EE has become very sweek and cuddly lately My least favorite though is my GLW, simply because she's my least friendly.
4. My girls came sexed from MPC, and all were pullets.

I'll comment on the BA...she's the lead pullet of my group, and she's very fair. She's mellow and calm. She was an ugly duckling for a long time, but is now beautiful! I love having a mixed flock!!​

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

Twinmom,

I live in VT, and have a very varied flock..
3 EE, 1 Golden comet, 1 Appenzeller spitzhauben, 1 Buff Orp, 2 Chanteclers, 1 dark brahma, 3 mixed sex link hens and one mixed sex link roo...

I just picked up 3 golden comets and 3 amber sex links from TSC in montpelier, and have a HUGE order from Ideal coming in 2 weeks... so.. if you need any advice... or chickens.. let me know!

 

[Dora'smom]

1. My original flock was six--two Buff Orpingtons, two Rhode Island Reds, and Two Barred Rocks. I added Two Easter Eggers, a Black Australorp, and a Welsummer to the group a few weeks later. One of the Buff Orpingtons declared himself a roo, and was rehomed to a friend's house. The friend has a flock of mostly Modern Game birds, but "Buck" our rooster fits in well. I researched what to do about potential rooster rehoming when I got my chicks, so I had some idea of what to do, or whom to call (I actually had a couple of potentials).
This spring I got another mixed flock--two Delawares, one Gold-Laced Wyandotte, one Silver-laced Wyandotte and two Easter Eggers (since I love them so much!). I added in two Cuckoo Marans, and a Silkie, and was given a bonus bird with very slight cross beak (Free Bird).

2. My first flock picked on each other all the time, to the point where they had bare patches, and I racked my brain trying to think of every possible treatment. I have the correct space available for them, upped their protein, gave them things to amuse themselves with, etc. Nothing worked until I got some pinless peepers. I have them on all birds in the first flock except the EE's. One of them doesn't need it, and it won't stay on the other one. The peepers have made a world of difference, and there is now harmony in that flock. I expect to take the peepers off in another month or so to see if the cycle of picking is completely broken.

3. It's difficult for me to pick a favorite, but I guess I would say either the EE's or the BA. They just have such sweet personalities, they are very cute, and they are great layers.

4. I rehomed him with a friend who keeps a flock of fifty or sixty. He has several roosters, but said another one is welcome. Our friend has one BO hen, and she and Buck get along very well.