Is this a good combination for a small, diverse flock?

[Stonebriar Farm]

I'm getting my chick order for next spring ready. The earliest I can order is January 1 - it's as bad as waiting for the seed catalogs to arrive

. I am thinking of these breeds - Black Australorp, partridge Chantecler, Ameraucana and Barnvelder for a combination of 12 in total.

What do you think, would this combination work for a near beginner who wants to have some diversity in a small flock? High egg production isn't a terribly high priority, chickens that are adaptable to cold and are somewhat easy to care for is important. I'd prefer moderately non-aggressive after all this is a hobby and done for pleasure.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[conroy]

Sounds good to me but I'm a noob as well. My sig has the list of our chickies...Barred Rocks are sweet birds as well. I posted some pics if you wanna check them all out.

 

[hcammack]

Quote:
Sounds good salmon faverolles are my best winter layer! those breeds will be a beautiful mixed flock I love having allot of breeds as you can tell from my signature line.

 

[Stonebriar Farm]

What are the Marans like - I was seriously considering them.

Conroy - My Grandmother kept barred Rocks and I've always like them.

hcammack - now I have to do some research on salmon faverolles

 

[hcammack]

Quote:
My marans are very sweet and very curious chickens it took the chicks a few days to warm up to me but now they love being held. My two hens are pretty friendly also. My faverolles are some of the nicest calmest most beautiful and kind birds I have ever seen I love them !!! I cannot say enough good things about them and they are my second best layers besides the leghorn.

Henry

 

[ams3651]

the rhode island red is a good cold weather bird and reliable layer. Mine dont make much noise or cause any problems but my one EE laid first much earlier than the RIR. I like my EE's but i have one who is too smart for her own good. Ps, my EE's were sold to me from a hatchery as Ameraucanas (sp?) but are EE's as is what usually happens.

 

[Marlinchaser]

From: Between Montreal & Ottawa

How does that limit you as far as breeds available?

I thought I had read that you dont have as wide of a variety available. If the breeds listed are available, they sound like a good combo.​

 

[Stonebriar Farm]

Quote:
How does that limit you as far as breeds available?

I thought I had read that you dont have as wide of a variety available. If the breeds listed are available, they sound like a good combo.

We don't have as much variety, especially as the man at Preservation Poultry sold his flock this fall.

I am going to Performance Poultry in Prince Edward County here in Ontario. I'll have to pick them up as I don't want the 25 minimum order to send by post. I think it should work out well but I may have to be a bit flexible as to exact breeds that will coincide with the dates I'd like.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Sounds like a good variety but be warned. If you order in January you are ordering when it is very cold. Last year alot of members lost their chicks to the cold. I know we had a problem as well. We ordered for April but it was still so cold and snowy that they didnt have a good hatch. 9 of the babies died within a few days of arrival. I am in Florida so it was nice and warm here but not in Iowa. This is something you should consider. Micki

 

[Stonebriar Farm]

Quote:
Thanks Micki - I'm placing the order in January but picking them up in May. That's one of the difficulties of not having a lot of suppliers - you need to order early!