Keeping different breeds together

[razzyHENZ]

I would like to add chickens to our backyard this spring and am trying to decide on breeds. I decided to start with 4 chickens and my plan was to get 3 Rhode Island Reds for eggs and 1 silkie for my daughters. My problem is that my 12 year old daughter has gotten online and looked at the many breeds available and has decided that just Rhode Island Reds would be too boring and has come up with a list of breeds that SHE wants. She wants an Americauna for blue eggs, a silver laced wyndotte because it's pretty, and says that I can have one Rhode Island Red along with the silkie.

Aside the fact that my daughter is taking over my chicken plan, are there problems with keeping just one of each breed? Wouldn't it be better to have more than one of the same breed?

Thanks
Rebecca

 

[gardener]

I think you will find most here prefer to have a mixed flock becuase it is more interesting. You wont have a problem. I dont think the chickens will know the difference. some breeds are more bossy than others so they just end up being at the top of the pecking order.

 

[BantyChickMom]

Variety is more interesting.

I have about 10 different breeds/colors but they are separated by their breed/color.
My youngest DD has 5 sexlinks and I'm planning on ordering 5 or 6 more girls (1 each of different breeds) just to have more color variety (the eggs are a plus) in one pen.

As long as you don't want a pair of each and want to breed pure, they will be fine.

 

[razzyHENZ]

Thanks!

My next question is, my daughter wants a true Buff Americauna (not an EE). Does anyone know where we could buy just 1? So far I've just seen places where the minimum is 25. (Day old chicks)

Rebecca

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

well I love a mix flock ! right now I have 1 Buff Rock , 4 Light Brahmas , 5 Silver laced Cochins, 5 Americana's. and just for fun I also have 1 Black Dutch bantam hen and 1 Black dutch roo.
For the most part everyone gets along fine the Buff does not know she is the only one of her breed out there- all she knows is she was here first and they better let her get the treats first LOL
the plus to having one of each breed - makes giving them names easy LOL

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Julie

 

[jeaucamom]

If you look at my signature line, you will see we have quite an eclectic flock and our one roo is a silkie cross who is a bantam. Now granted, our cochin needs to stay on the floor of the coop to sleep with him so he will not be alone, because the silkies can't fly well and can't get up to roosts and nesting boxes, so keep that in mind when you are building your coop. Good luck and enjoy your chickens! You will have around 40 before you know it. They are like potato chips, you can't just have a few.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Quote:
You would most likely have to find a breeder. Most hatcheries have the minimum order because that's the *safe* number to ship and still have live birds at the end.

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
You'll HAVE to find a breeder. ALL hatcheries sell EE's. There are exceptions but you'll be pressing luck if you get just one.

 

[Cocky]

Ideal will let you order as few of each breed as you want. but if you dont order atleast 16 (I think thats the number they gave us) they will put free extras in "for warmth". All the extras will be roos, and you won't get to choose what type.

My wife and I like to order the different breeds in pairs. This way they have another chicken of the same type....and if by some misfortune we lose one, we still have atleast on of the breed. It is funny to watch them, because as they get older they do tend to stick with the other chicken of their own breed (from our experience).

 

[mom'sfolly]

I have 4 birds, 1 RIR, 1 RSL and 2 EEs. I like the variety of color and shape, it makes for an interesting yard. Birds of a feather do flock together though, the reds hang together and so do the golden birds. For laying, the RIR and one EE are proving to be good winter layers, and the RSL lays huge eggs. I also have hatching eggs coming in, hopefully tomorrow. They are buff orps, RIR and buff silkies (the words buff and silkie paired together always make me giggle). If I could have all the chickens I want, my flock would be very mixed 'cause they are all so pretty.

Good luck! And build your coop bigger than you need for three birds. You WILL get more.