Kid friendly mixed flock?

[comobirder]

We have a mixed flock which includes the types you have. No problems from the RIR, but our Barred Rock is a pill. Our BOs have been neither one way or another. Leghorns are just plain flighty and not really friendly in any sense. So really, each bird is going to be a little different. However, we have about a dozen or so EEs and the Wheatons are all very docile to the point of being bullied. Every one of the EE wheatons have been that way (about 10ish birds). You may have to separate them if you have any in your flock.

Roosters need to be watched closely. Our bantam cochin (all of 7 inches tall) would corner our 8 year old on the porch whenever he was out.

 

[darin367]

i've got rir, barred rock and ee just as you are suggesting... my kids are 4 and 8...... my kids have held, chased, fed, mauled these 12 hens and 2 roos since they were chicks..... nobody is mean, they either lay down or run when my kids go out there to play with them........

 

[HSerChickLady]

Thanks.

Yeah, i've had my fill of roosters. My Silkies have had to be crated because they fight so bad. My one EE rooster is just fine and doesn't cause any trouble-so far. But the other EE rooster is nasty. So far he's been ok with me but he attacked my son, tries to get anyone who comes near their fence, and has gotten after my DH as well. He's likely going to be leaving soon though, as we can't keep him being so mean.

 

[HSerChickLady]

i've got rir, barred rock and ee just as you are suggesting... my kids are 4 and 8...... my kids have held, chased, fed, mauled these 12 hens and 2 roos since they were chicks..... nobody is mean, they either lay down or run when my kids go out there to play with them........

Good!

 

[gryeyes]

I have those breeds in my mixed flock, plus a few zillion others.

The Salmon Faverolles, Favorelles, whatever, I keep forgetting, are the ones in MY flock who tend to get bullied. SFs are very docile and easily bullied by more assertive breeds. I say "assertive" rather than aggressive, because I have some really gentle examples of many so-called more aggressive breeds. But it's pretty much harmony here. My SF roo and hen can run fast enough to get away if necessary and nobody has cornered them to beat them up or anything. The other breed birds just hog the feeders and keep the SFs away at treat time. So I have several feeders in the coop and ALWAYS make sure to toss treats out far enough for the more timid chickens to get some, too.

Orpingtons are great chickens! Beautiful, friendly, and if a hen goes broody, a great mom!

 

[HSerChickLady]

Thanks! I'm feeling better about mixing them.

 

[HSerChickLady]

I think we've finally decided what to get for the kids. I think we're going to go with an even mix of Easter Eggers, Brahmas, Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, and RI Reds. I hope they all get along well and are great pets for the kids.

 

[wing]

I'm new here, and really appreciate all the feedback from people. We are getting about 6 hens this spring for the first time (no roosters), and I really want a mixed flock as well. When you get reading about all the different varieties out there, I suppose it's easy to get carried away. So I've been hashing over whether this is a good idea or not. My main priority are my children, 7 and 3, I hope to get some friendly birds (I'm sure we will be handling them a lot) but also fairly good egg production along with varied visual interest (is this asking too much, lol). So here goes, My son really wants a white leghorn ( eeek, because I've heard they are really flighty) 2 buff orpingtons, 1 RIR, 1 barred rock and 1 jersey giant. Any thoughts on this mix? Am I all over the board or will this work???

One other question, we live in Southern Maine, and I'd really like to have a silkie (although they seem hard to find, especially in small quantities) are these birds cold hardy? And if we could find 1 or 2, do you think they would get picked on? (I know that question is subjective, because each bird is different)

Oh, we will free range all our birds, and bring them in at night.

Thanks for any help!!

 

[TonySorrento]

Isn't it true the more the birds are handled from day one, the friendlier they will be ..... in most cases?

 

[HSerChickLady]

I think having a mixed flock is totally doable as long as the different breeds have fairly common temperments. I wouldn't recommend a Leghorn for your son for many reasons. If he's got his heart set on a white bird perhaps a Rhode Island White, White Rock, or a Delaware would be better options?

I live in central NY and have a couple Silkies. They've done just fine this winter though it's been milder than many years. I make sure they have adaquate protection on the coldest single digit or lower nights and they've faired just as well as my other breeds. I do take care to keep them dry and draft-free (at night) however. I had no problems keeping them with larger breeds raising them all together right from a few days old. They are seperated now but only because mine are roosters and don't play well with others, including each other. Most hatcheries will only let you order Silkies in straight-run, so you will likely get at least 1 rooster though possibly more. The ONLY hatchery i know of that lets you order sexed bantams is My Pet Chicken and i don't think you can order Silkies specifically but i could be wrong. I think they just let you order "bantams" and you get whatever bantams breeds they have at that time-check their website to be sure though.

I'm new here, and really appreciate all the feedback from people. We are getting about 6 hens this spring for the first time (no roosters), and I really want a mixed flock as well. When you get reading about all the different varieties out there, I suppose it's easy to get carried away. So I've been hashing over whether this is a good idea or not. My main priority are my children, 7 and 3, I hope to get some friendly birds (I'm sure we will be handling them a lot) but also fairly good egg production along with varied visual interest (is this asking too much, lol). So here goes, My son really wants a white leghorn ( eeek, because I've heard they are really flighty) 2 buff orpingtons, 1 RIR, 1 barred rock and 1 jersey giant. Any thoughts on this mix? Am I all over the board or will this work???

One other question, we live in Southern Maine, and I'd really like to have a silkie (although they seem hard to find, especially in small quantities) are these birds cold hardy? And if we could find 1 or 2, do you think they would get picked on? (I know that question is subjective, because each bird is different)

Oh, we will free range all our birds, and bring them in at night.

Thanks for any help!!