Looking for breed recommendations to add to our flock of 5

[SwampPrincessChick]

What in your opinion is the smallest amount of birds you should add to an existing flock at one time, @SwampPrincessChick? I was considering adding 3 at a time every few years to keep the egg production at a level my family can consume, until I reach about a dozen birds. Is that going to be too difficult on the new chicks and the flock? The greater good is my birds’ well-being, rather than wasting eggs. Should I just buy 8 more chicks in one go to spare my current 4 too much stress? If so, how soon should I do so? My girls are only 2 months old.

The smallest and adequate amount of chicks to add to an already-existing flock, in my opinion, would be about three or four. The important thing to remember is that the chicks should only be added to the flock when they are around twelve weeks old. They can get integrated at six weeks, but I would not want to stress them too much.

Consistenly adding birds to your flock will stress the chickens out. The pecking order will have to be changed too many times if you do that, and that is not good on your flock's health. I would suggest you to buy the chicks all at one time, so they can grow up together and have less of a stressful life.

As for how soon you should purchase your new chicks, are you in need of more chickens right now? I would suggest buying them next year, since it is getting too late in the season for more chicks. If it is not getting cold where you are located, you can go ahead and purchase chicks if they come in soon.

 

[Winderdear]

The smallest and adequate amount of chicks to add to an already-existing flock, in my opinion, would be about three or four. The important thing to remember is that the chicks should only be added to the flock when they are around twelve weeks old. They can get integrated at six weeks, but I would not want to stress them too much.

Consistenly adding birds to your flock will stress the chickens out. The pecking order will have to be changed too many times if you do that, and that is not good on your flock's health. I would suggest you to buy the chicks all at one time, so they can grow up together and have less of a stressful life.

As for how soon you should purchase your new chicks, are you in need of more chickens right now? I would suggest buying them next year, since it is getting too late in the season for more chicks. If it is not getting cold where you are located, you can go ahead and purchase chicks if they come in soon.

Thank you! As usual my careful planning resulted in a huge oversight. I hope my birds don’t suffer for it!

Well, I’d better run the idea of more chicks by my husband. Can’t say I’m not excited at the prospect of more chicks sooner though

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

Thank you! As usual my careful planning resulted in a huge oversight. I hope my birds don’t suffer for it!

Well, I’d better run the idea of more chicks by my husband. Can’t say I’m not excited at the prospect of more chicks sooner though

When you do get more chicks, where are you going to be purchasing them from?

 

[TheWasp]

Ooh, I suggest Salmon Faverolles and Cochins!

 

[Winderdear]

When you do get more chicks, where are you going to be purchasing them from?

I was thinking Meyer or Mt. Healthy. I had good luck from Meyer Hatchery, my chicks arrived within 24 hours of being shipped and all in great spirits. Mt. Healthy seems to have good reviews and is not far from Meyer so I imagine the time the chicks would be in the mail would be about the same. I did want a 55 Flowery Hen from Greenfire Farms, but it’s a long distance for the babies to travel.

I want to be able to tell all the chicks apart, so these are the breeds I was thinking of getting, one of each:

Bielefelder, 55 Flowery Hen, Cream Legbar, Opal Legbar (was hoping by the time I added more chicks they’d be affordable!), Noir Marans, Blue Rock, Golden Cuckoo Marans and a Lakeside Egger. I’d love a Welbar, but can’t find a close hatchery who offers them.

 

[-Chanticleer-]

Barnevelder, blue cochin and or an Olive egger the wellsumer/cream legbar mix. All are pretty birds and the OE will give you beautiful eggs.

Edited to add blue cochin.

 

[Goatlover09]

you could get a Cream Crested Legbar

I love cream legbars. As pretty as barred rocks are they have pretty big personalities(from personal expirience). Ameraucanas are also a very nice breed that woud add color to your egg basket! My last recomendation would be silkies. They are calm and very very fuffy!

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

I was thinking Meyer or Mt. Healthy. I had good luck from Meyer Hatchery, my chicks arrived within 24 hours of being shipped and all in great spirits. Mt. Healthy seems to have good reviews and is not far from Meyer so I imagine the time the chicks would be in the mail would be about the same. I did want a 55 Flowery Hen from Greenfire Farms, but it’s a long distance for the babies to travel.

I want to be able to tell all the chicks apart, so these are the breeds I was thinking of getting, one of each:

Bielefelder, 55 Flowery Hen, Cream Legbar, Opal Legbar (was hoping by the time I added more chicks they’d be affordable!), Noir Marans, Blue Rock, Golden Cuckoo Marans and a Lakeside Egger. I’d love a Welbar, but can’t find a close hatchery who offers them.

I have heard of several bad things about Mt. Healthy, but it all depends on what you personally have experienced with them. I would suggest Murray McMurray for the standardbred quality, even if they are expensive, and Greenfire Farms for the more rare and exotic breeds.

In my experience, I would say that getting one of each breed does not work out well. Chickens have a tendency to die because of common predation issues and the lingering diseases, so I always want to get at least three chicks of a breed.

 

[Party_Chicken]

I have heard of several bad things about Mt. Healthy, but it all depends on what you personally have experienced with them. I would suggest Murray McMurray for the standardbred quality, even if they are expensive, and Greenfire Farms for the more rare and exotic breeds.

In my experience, I would say that getting one of each breed does not work out well. Chickens have a tendency to die because of common predation issues and the lingering diseases, so I always want to get at least three chicks of a breed.

Do not order from mt healthy they are expensive, limited breeds, and they give you an extra chick usually a roo with every order. Meyer is a much better option.

 

[Winderdear]

I have heard of several bad things about Mt. Healthy, but it all depends on what you personally have experienced with them. I would suggest Murray McMurray for the standardbred quality, even if they are expensive, and Greenfire Farms for the more rare and exotic breeds.

In my experience, I would say that getting one of each breed does not work out well. Chickens have a tendency to die because of common predation issues and the lingering diseases, so I always want to get at least three chicks of a breed.

I’ll definitely research more about the different hatcheries, thank you for the recommendations! Had no idea Murray McMurray had better quality than the others. I just purchased based on star rating on google, distance from my home and available breeds (in that order). It was before I found this forum, of course.

I’m sorry to hear having just one of each breed didn’t work for you . I’m honestly terrified of losing any birds, though I know it’s naïve in the extreme to think they’ll all live their full lives and die peacefully. I think I’ll still try to get individual breeds this go around and just hope for the best, though I may regret not trying to profit from your good advice. There are just too many breeds I’m excited to raise!

Btw, sorry to OP for chatting about my flock (or potential flock) in your thread!