Looking to Build a flock

[SSpringer]

I am not sure if I am posting in the right area or not, new to the forum.

I am looking at building a 10 to 12 bird flock. I am trying to decide on the birds I want to get and torn between a couple breeds. I guess my first question is; is there any benefit to having a mixed breed flock or stick with one breed. I am also thinking about getting the kids involved with 4-H. If I went with a single breed flock, I was thinking about Australorps or Wyandottes. I wanted birds that the kids could enjoy, another words more docile birds, and possibly show at the fair. If I went with a mixed flock I would add Sussex and maybe some easter eggers. Any other suggestions or any of the birds I am considering not a good choice? Egg laying is the primary goal.

Yes the next question is probably a dumb one, any of those breeds have a more docile (less loud) rooster? I would imagine every "newbie" asks that, but I wanted an opinion irregardless. I ask this in case I went with a single breed and wanted to raise my own chicks for both egg laying and meat production down the road. I live outside the city limits on nearly 2 acres, so there will be no problem there, but I do have neighbors. These birds for the most part will be confined to a 100 sq ft. run, rather than free range, but might be let out occasionally. I live in Northwest Ohio.


Thanks

 

[jen5680]

A mixed breed flock with give you some nice eye candy for your yard and also different color eggs.
If your kids are not used to chickens you might get them some bantams. Smaller and friendly and easy to handle. Esp if they
want to show them.
All roosters crow big or small and some of the smallest ones can be jsut as loud so no getting around that lol...
If you are only wanting a total of 10 to 12 birds 1 rooster should be fine if you are wanting fertile eggs.
I would take the kids to some chicken shows or swap meets and let them look at the birds to see what they like.
Looking thru the poulty magazines will give them some ideas too.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[karlamaria]

We love our asterlorps so sweet and friendly and meat bird to. I say get a mixture but keep them in 2's or sets as we got one bird and he was not really a part of the whole chicken clan. In other words he was the only kind and felt left out . We love our buff o's to. A rooster is great, if you got the good neighbors who can deal with it all hours of the day lol.

 

[Amyh]

I have several breeds and I enjoy having different types because I can tell them apart and I know their personalities. I have several Black Australorps and they are my favorite breed so far, but I can't tell them apart. They lay large brown eggs and go broody often, which I love. However, I will not get more Australorps until these are no longer laying well because there are just so many breeds to try that I want to try them all!!

 

[wowmanacat]

I just started my flock and I have a mixed flock. I started with a Barred Rock rooster and two hen of which I really don't know what they were. I hatched 4 batches and now have 39 birds total. I bought a bunch of my eggs at the local auction and I now have a mix of breeds and some very lovely looking birds. I will be posting some pics at my blog in the next few days. It is really hard to take pic when all the do is run.

 

[SSpringer]

Thanks for the input, we have a fair coming up at the end of August and I wondered if that would be a good place to get birds, or is the mail order vendors a better choice? Assuming I can find the breeds I like. We have a decent 4-H organization here and they normally have a dedicated "chicken" building where the kids have their show birds. I am looking at getting chicks and raising them to adults, rather than full grown birds. We also have a rural king and TSC that I believe you can order birds from too.