Is it practical to start a small, VERY mixed flock? (Sydney, Australia)

[esque]

Hi

I am an aspiring first-time chicken owner and will be based in Sydney, Australia. The local council will allow a maximum of six hens in my area, and I would ideally like to keep 4 orpingtons, 1 araucana, and 1 maran (possibly a wyandotte instead of one of the orpingtons). So that's 3-4 breeds in a flock of just 6 birds.

Here are my questions:

1. Will this cause problems in terms of the pecking order? Do hens of the same breed get along better? Or are these breeds fairly compatible?
2. I have read how it's unwise to add to an established flock, so I'd like to get all these hens at once, preferably as pullets but maybe as chicks. Is this practical? Is there going to be a "one-stop shop" for all of these breeds, or will I need to drive around country NSW over a few days buying chicks? Even with a lot of travel, will those breeds be available at around the same age?

I would really love to enjoy all the quirks and differences of a little mixed flock, so I hope there is a way to make it work! Thanks in advance for any thoughts and comments

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Chickens don't discriminate I have a mixed flock, I love variety. Its fun to see all the different patterned chickies roaming my yard. Good luck with your chicken adventure!

 

[bwalden]

I have often ordered from hatcheries a "rare breed special". It can be a mixture of anything and everything. But they are always the more rare breeds. I like those best. I have also seen where you can order a mixture of brown or white egg layers. It really makes no difference the breeds. Now if you can get them the same age they will get along with each other much better. As far as where and how you will aquire them..... I cannot say for Australia. Here in the states I would just order them from one of several hatcheries. Mypetchicken.com, Cackle Hatchery, Murrary Mcmurrary to name a few. Good luck with your search and hope you get the breeds you want.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Welcome to the BYC forum.

I love my mixed flock. In general, although some breeds can be a little more docile than others, if you introduce them around the same time there are not really problems with bullying.

I ordered most of my mixed flock as chicks from a hatchery and raised them together. Maybe you will want to check out the Australian thread and ask about hatcheries or other sources for chickens:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/186559/australians-where-are-you-all/2960

 

[dracoe19]

I don't think you will have problems with mixed breeds in a small flock. Chickens are bigoted though... in small flock I never really had a problem but they can pick on another chicken for being different. Every chicken is different. I have cochins that love every chicken I have introduced to them but others who will pick ruthlessly on a chicken for being different (example having a crest like a polish or being a drastically different color). Getting them as babies makes a bond and they get along more readily but it's like everything not everybody can get a along with everybody else. It depends on the chickens personality .

 

[esque]

Wow, thanks for all the helpful replies everyone Most encouraging. I guess my next step is to track down the details of Australian hatcheries. There is actually an Australian poultry forum, but the registration doesn't seem to be working. I will check out the Aus thread here on BYC

 

[Spartan]

Esque - I am also from Sydney, I have found tracking down specific birds quite difficult unless you're willing to travel. I recently went to a poultry auction on the south coast and think something like that would be your best bet, they usually sell the birds two/three at a time though...

I haven't located any hatcheries such as those they seem to have in the US. In saying all this, I am fairly new to keeping chooks myself, however, have been researching specific birds for some time...