HELP! So new to this!

[SMORGAN]

Hi everyone--

I recently purchased two ameraucana (which are, of course, really easter eggers) at three weeks old - straight run. They're now five weeks, and I am almost positive I have a male and a female. One is lighter colored, sweet, quiet. The other is bossy, runs head first into the other, does strange weird wing flapping dances around her (mind you they are only 5 weeks!) this one is bigger, darker, already longer feathers at base of neck...etc. I am very new to this though and who knows - he may be a she, but I'm pretty convinced it'll be crowing soon.

Anyway - now I am assuming I'll have to give the "rooster" away in a couple of months. My solution is to put the 5 week olds into a coop together now, and move two new baby chicks into the warming container I have the 5 week olds in.

Now here is my question. Assuming I'll have to get rid of one of the two I have now...can I combine the two younger chicks with the older one once the younger chicks are at least a few months old? Do breed differences matter? I've heard if I get two new baby chicks of the same breed, they may pick on the other one. Can I get two baby chicks that are a week old and different breeds, so that I have three different breeds together eventually and all is fair?

HELP! I just don't want any hurt or angry chickens. Thank you!

Also - we're building a coop right now. I've seen composite..fir..cedar..and I am completely overwhelmed and confused. What's the cheapest safest way to accomplish this? My husband can build it...

 

[BantamFan4Life]

You most definitely can combine tons of different breeds together in the same coop we have done that several times. By the way you don't HAVE to get rid of the rooster they help the hens lay better and they also guide the hens and protect too. The breeds shouldn't pick on each other only if there like naked neck or polish or there like different looks like crested feather or naked necks. Different color varieties don't matter either they don't pick on each other one bit. If you have any other chicken questions please ask me I've had lots of experience with chickens.

 

[SMORGAN]

thank you! so I can literally have three different breeds (one of each) in my yard with no problems??? I wouldn't mind keeping the rooster - however I think my neighbors might mind I'm in a small neighborhood...

any suggestions on breeds that might work well with my EE girl?

 

[donrae]

I've kept buff orps, barred rocks, red hens, sexlinks and leghorns with my ees. I love a varied flock!

Can you post pics of your 5 weekers? We can give you an idea if that boy is indeed a boy.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Delaware does great with are EE's and Australorp and leghorn work well. Both are sweet are very,very social and would work well (well,at least in my mixed flock).
I would put the new chicks in as soon as possible the older they are the more they tend to pick on each other. Also EE are an aggressive breed so you might be worried if you see them fighting, but Usually with the pecking order when there not yet full grow they'll pick on each other for a day or two then they'll be great friends like my EE's and delaware.

 

[SMORGAN]

here they are!! Darker one on left is the suspected rooster

pic 2: (suspected rooster closer to camera)


pic 3: (suspect on left)



keep in mind though - although the one I believe to be a rooster is darker, larger, and has longer feathers at base of his neck, the main reason I'm thinking rooster is the puffed up pushy bossy personality!

 

[(sub)UrbanCoop]

I originally started with 2 EE and a Buff, but a predator got one EE and the Buff. I've introduced in 2 more EE and will be getting ready to add some Wyandottes to my mix. The gal that runs the farm where I got my EEs also raises Black Australorps, Leghorns, silkies, Buffs, RIR, and a couple of other breeds that I can not recall off the top of my head.

So mixing can be done. She has them all in a huge barn together. She keeps her brooders separated and the bantams have their own sleeping quarters.

So to answer your question, yes. You can mix the breeds.

I introduced my newbies very quickly after the predator attack. I simply waited until the sole survivor was asleep on the roost bar and put the 2 newbies on the roost beside her so when she woke it was like they had always been there. The older EE pecked at the newbies for about 2 days, not major, just letting them know who was boss. My original EE is about 1 month older than my newbies.

Hope that info helps.

 

[donrae]

Well I'm not seeing anything screaming roo, although they are young yet. Hens can be pushy too, and someone's gotta be the boss in any group. Maybe post pics again in 4 weeks or so, should have a good idea by then.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Any updates on your chickens? I'd really like to know how they turned out. If you can please post pics.