Mix and Match Breeds?

[Mobile785]

We're planning on doing some backyard chickens, our local feed and supply store will be getting chicks soon and has released their schedule with breeds and I had a few questions. Due to local ordinances we can have a max of 6 chickens, so my question is about mix and matching breeds. We were thinking of getting 2 Barred Rocks, 2 Speckled Sussex and 2 Light Brahma. So my question is will 2 of each of these breeds get along just fine with one another? or should I narrow it down to 3 of one breed and 3 of another? or just all 6 of the same breed? Lastly the other breeds they have avail is Buff Orpingtons, as a substitute, if one of the other breeds doesn't quite get along with one of the previously mentions. Who knew chicken shopping would be so difficult or am I just over thinking this?


Jimmy

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I think those will all get along if you do 2 of each. Just remember every bird is an individual amd might decide they want to misbehave

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I think those will all get along if you do 2 of each. Just remember every bird is an individual amd might decide they want to misbehave

And honestly if you wanted the orpington too, you could always do 2, 2, 1, and 1 of the breeds

 

[3KillerBs]

Go Ahead, Pick the Prettiest Chickens!

Any combination of breeds *might* yield a bully, but none of those breeds is notably aggressive or notably submissive in the flock.

 

[Iluveggers]

Agreed, they should be fine together!

 

[Mobile785]

Awesome, thanks for the assist on this. Now I just need to decide on the combo to get

 

[Iluveggers]

For my crew, my Sussex and Brahma are at the bottom of the pecking order. I have no bully, they are just the least assertive. Barred Rocks are known to be friendly but not pushovers, Orpingtons are generally not bullies at all and do well in a mixed flock. Based on my own experience (and nothing more), I would get 2 Brahmas, 2 Sussex, 1 Orpington and 1 barred rock. Personalities can vary and there are always exceptions, so this is just my two cents based on a very small sample size!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have an 18-chicken flock made up of 12 different breeds. Everyone gets along fine.

Here's what I've got:

1 Barred Rock
1 Brahma
1 Cochin
1 Naked Neck
1 Appenzellar Spitzhauben
1 Leghorn
1 Sebright
1 Legbar
2 Silkies
2 Orpingtons
2 Polish
4 Easter Eggers

 

[Horsensecarole]

We have Barred Rock, ISR Red, Sapphire Gem, some Marans the store said were Black Copper but aren't, and some we hatched from our old rooster so they are a mix. They all do pretty well together.

 

[I Love Feather Babies]

We're planning on doing some backyard chickens, our local feed and supply store will be getting chicks soon and has released their schedule with breeds and I had a few questions. Due to local ordinances we can have a max of 6 chickens, so my question is about mix and matching breeds. We were thinking of getting 2 Barred Rocks, 2 Speckled Sussex and 2 Light Brahma. So my question is will 2 of each of these breeds get along just fine with one another? or should I narrow it down to 3 of one breed and 3 of another? or just all 6 of the same breed? Lastly the other breeds they have avail is Buff Orpingtons, as a substitute, if one of the other breeds doesn't quite get along with one of the previously mentions. Who knew chicken shopping would be so difficult or am I just over thinking this?


Jimmy

While all chickens can be inquisitive, my barred rocks are down right nosy. They are constantly under my feet, jumping up on containers for a better look at the treats I’m trying to distribute, inspecting the eggs in the basket. I’ve named them Curiosity and Nosy Rosy.