Good Flock?

[chickencoop789]

Im planning on getting 4 chicks to start a flock. 1 barred rock, 1 ancona, 1 buff orpington, and 1 light brown leghorn. All hens. Is that a good flock? If not, then what breeds would make a good flock?

 

[Judy]

Here is what Henderson's says about anconas, which is a breed I know nothing about:

Quote: Leghorns tend to be much the same, whereas BR and BO tend to be friendlier and calmer. Of course, individuals in any breed will vary in personality.

They might well live together just fine, though.

 

[centrarchid]

Also breed selection can take into consideration use of birds such eggs, meat, feathers, simply fun or some combination. Some breeds not only better foragers but some also better at dealing with predators and / or temperature extremes.

 

[Judy]

Really, the question is, how do you define "good flock?" That is, what characteristics are most important to you?

 

[chickencoop789]

Really, the question is, how do you define "good flock?" That is, what characteristics are most important to you?

I just want a flock that will do good together and give me breakfast.

 

[fiveladybugs]

I have white leghorns & a brown leghorn, as well as two Anconas. I wouldn't necessarily say ours are terribly flighty, but they certainly aren't fond of human contact. Our white leghorns are great free-rangers and are great birds, I think. The brown & Anconas haven't started laying yet. We have not begun free ranging with those three pullets yet, however they do fine in confinement.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Then you want to avoid the broodier breeds, such as Old English Game, Kraienkoppe, Silkies, and Cochins, to decrease the chances of one going broody. Black Australorps are excellent year round layers and at one point held the world record for # of eggs in a year. Barred Plymouth Rocks are ordinarily also excellent layers, as are Leghorns. You might want to check out our own breeds section at the top of the page. Just check high egg productivity and refresh the page.

Commercial egg operations often use Leghorns, I understand. At any rate, they are a little smaller than the dual purpose birds like Australorps and any of the Rcoks, so you get more eggs for your feed dollar. Dual purpose were bred to provide both meat and eggs.

 

[ButchGood]

MPC has a pretty good breed selector. It asks you 6 easy questions then shows you a selection.I used it and I got Australorps and Buff Orpingtons. Very happy with this selection
http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx