Help picking out breeds to bring in!

[Rachelherk]

Only one I already have is a couple of Ameruacana which I realize are probably actually easter eggers. (This is the list of what they are getting in)

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Include your approximate location in your profile, because climate can make a difference is which breed types will do best for you.
In cold areas, Chanteclers are good. Speckled Sussex are very personable and beautiful. Your choices look fine though, although in a hot climate I'd consider some others.
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

Just went through this dilemma, made a list, scratch things out, added to it, looked some more, oh want that, need this, how many is that? Scratch some out, circle them cause I really do want them....

I like a flock of different birds, some like only one breed. Good luck.

Mrs K

 

[Ridgerunner]

Knowing where you are located could help because of climate. But more importantly to me, what are your goals for having chickens: eye candy, pets, eggs, breeding, bug patrol, going broody, egg color, or something else? I see you are looking at meat birds separately?

My personal preference is also a multicolored flock, I'd be tempted to get each one different, But that is my personal preference. What you should get is your personal preference.

 

[adstowe]

I tried having only one breed of chickens for a while and quickly learned it's just not for me. I like the variety a mixed flock brings and on top of that I love having egg cartons that are just as colorful as my flock. You don't say how many you are looking to get or what your wants/needs are, but if it were me I'd base my choices on egg color and flock diversity. I also tend to buy mine in pairs. I always have a couple of individuals running around for one reason or another and they do just fine, but for whatever reason, when I have pairs of the same breed they tend to buddy around together with each other. I'd just go down the list picking 2 of each that looked appealing, making sure to include ameraucana (EE), some white egg layers and then fill it out with various shades of brown. I don't know if you intend to sell eggs (I just give them away to friends), but people seem to love all the colored eggs as much as I do.

 

[Mrs. K]

More than once, I have tried a breed, sure that this was the one, I too, like a multi breed flock. Easy to count and make sure they are all there, and each is easy to identify, and I just like that bit of color scattered over the run.

 

[Ribh]

While I do have a multi breed flock I am working towards having birds of a similar size & temperament who I know from experience will run well together. I too try to buy @ least in pairs as it gives each bird a running mate. I try to buy with the happiness of the birds in mind as well as my personal preferences. While different breeds will mesh reasonably over time my personal experience is birds of similar size & temperament do better together & there is far less fighting. I have great success with Campines & Wyandotte bantams together. For some reason I haven't worked out they get along really well together. So do Favorelles & Barred Rocks. Neither really likes the flightier Campines. It is also heaps easier on the keeper if the birds get along well together, especially if they are to be confined rather than free ranged.