Mixed Flock or Not?

[anthrochick]

We went with mixed and we've been glad of it. We started out with 4 different breeds. We liked getting to know their similarities and differences and it was also easier to tell them apart and talk about them. We eventually fell in love with one of the breeds, but I think we will always have a mixed flock.

 

[gg706]

I have Araucanas (not Easter Eggers) and Blue Laced red Wyandottes. They get along wonderfully! I think alot of the temperament heavily relies on the genetic line as much as the breed. I was only planning on getting on the Araucanas, but the breeder offered BLR Wyandottes and Lavendar Orpingtons so I got some of each. All of the Lavendar Orpingtons turned out to be roos and were very flighty! I am very happy having a mixed flock. I actually REALLY like my Wyandottes...they have turned out to be my favorites!

 

[Africanchild]

I too vote mixed flock. I have a small backyard flock but wanted diversity for aesthetic value mostly and to have a more attractive egg basket. I have 1 speckled sussex, 2 EE's, 1 blue andalusian, 1 brown leghorn, 1 black copper maran, 1 barred rock, and 3 buckeyes. 1 mille fleur rooster, 1 golden laced wyandotte rooster, and 1 buckeye rooster. After seeing my flock, my sister decided she wants chickens now too. This spring, I hope to hatch out some very colorful mixes and some pure breed buckeyes.

I don't think one breed gets along better than another. I think its if they are all raised together and starting at what age. I got the leghorn, maran, mille fleur, and wyandotte along with a copper maran rooster at the same time. They were all 2-3 months old when I introduced the newbies. Oscar (my copper maran roo) chased the newbies (sussex, EE's, andalusian) and never let them integrate. When he died (an untimely death) the flock became one united under Goliath (the wyandotte). My newest additions the buckeyes and barred rock I am working on integrating now. Things are going pretty good with only a few sparring matches between Buck (buckeye roo) and Goliath sometimes my bantam thinks he can take him on too. I quickly break it up and whoever started it gets the time out. It is so true chickens each have their very own personalities.

In my first flock, RIP, my speckled sussex and leghorn were true friends. Of course some chickens prefer the company of some over others but I chalk it up to personalities not breeds. Another plus to a mixed flock is my andalusian (somewhat flighty) makes an excellent scout. My leghorn (good forager) leads the others to good foraging areas. My speckled sussex, leghorn, and wyandotte roo like to follow me around which keeps the others close by...it all works out. I can't imagine having a flock of only one breed...imagine a flock of all flighty birds. No thank you!

 

[kathychick]

We have a list of "likes" and not sure if we are going with one type or mixed. Barred rocks are a 'like' though.

 

[BantyChickenLuv]

One breed of chicken I don't like is the Production RIR, or, what hatcherys call Rhode Island Reds. They are not true, heritage RIR's. They are very mean. On the bright side, they lay nice, large, pink eggs.

 

[LaynaDon95]

I personally can not see how you could regret a mixed flock. My experience (and my friends' experiences) have all been very positive. I even mix bantams with standard sized birds and they get along great! My RIR roo has an psychotic episode if I separate his "little lady" (mutt bantam hen) from him. I can't see myself having anything but a mixed flock.

 

[Hishigata]

I'll add another vote for mixed flocks. I started out with two Rhode Island Reds who got along very well but disappeared after a well meaning friend who was chicken sitting left them out over night to get some air. Since I have always gotten a mix both for aesthetics in the flock and variety of egg color. I rarely repeat breeds so I usually have just one of each type. I am not sure if certain breeds get along better or if it is just certain personalities. All of the girls tend to get along well. My flightier birds do tend to have fewer friends in the otherwise calm flock. In two of my flocks color seemed to play a roll. My barred rock rooster seemed to show preference for the silver laced wyandotte hen. In the current group. the New Hampshire Red hung out more with the also reddish hued Easter Egger. This is all very speculative since my flocks are small (sample size n=4) and these patterns could just be due to random chance. It would be interesting to test what factors influence friendships between hens.

Let us know what kind of birds you decide to get for your flock!

 

[gg706]

I agree with LaynaDon95. I don't think you would regret a mixed flock unless you plan on breeding and hatching out chicks to sell. Then you would probably want purebred chicks to advertise. Otherwise the possibilities are endless.

 

[kathychick]

Ok. I think the "mix" will do a lot for us as newbies

1. 
   The mix will allow us to experience a number of breed egg laying, temperament, broodiness, and cold hardiness (not sure all of those are real words) and also,
   
   allow us to see what kind of flock-tenders that WE are.
   
   I am excited! Calling Meyer Thursday afternoon and ordering a mix of chicks

 

[featheredmom]

If you are going to order from Meyer, I highly recommend a "layer mix" it will give you mostly hens(it should be all hens, but they get it wrong from time to time) and you will have a great time playing "guess the breed." I wasn't sure if a true mix was for me, but the kids and I have been having a blast watching our chicks feather out and trying to guess what they are going to be. We have some breeds that I might not have otherwise tried, we have frizzle cochins(from a MMcM feather footed bantam mix) that we never considered, but love them, they are so unique!! I don't think there is a "bad" breed of chicken, so pot luck sometimes adds an element of fun to your chicks!!

Meyer has rainbow layers, rare layers, and brown layers(I will be getting an order next week with 25rainbow, 13 rare, and 12 brown layers).

Just a suggestion.