Mixing breeds in my flock

[EggSighted4Life]

I've seen too many posts on this forum about hens bullying fellow flock members. Mostly those from a different strain or breed of chicken. KISS is the best strategy if your just starting out with your first flock of chickens.

I have seen it be true that birds of a feather do indeed flock together.

But the bigger issue regardless of breed comes during integrating groups of different birds that LOOK different who are different AGES. But also see plenty of dynamics among the sames.

For me, having variety in the beginning is KISS... so I can tell who's laying or not and blah blah.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I've seen too many posts on this forum about hens bullying fellow flock members. Mostly those from a different strain or breed of chicken. KISS is the best strategy if your just starting out with your first flock of chickens.

I have three different breeds and they are fine. They actually start crying if one goes missing, and I'm on my first flock.

 

[Abriana]

Good luck on your flock!

 

[Abriana]

Buffs are very sweet in my opinion, great pets

 

[Silkiesarefluffydinos]

If you are looking for egg production, i'be found that red stars/red sex-links typically make good layers. We have one who for two years later an egg nearly every day, until this year she finally slowed, at age 4, but she is still laying eggs! She even layer in the winter, when she was the only bird who was laying! Barred rocks, RiR and Americans are all really great breeds too!

 

[SMP73]

I have 2 Rhode Island Reds, a Red Sex Link, a California Gray, and a Jersey Giant. Each chicken has it's own personality. Work with them when they are little. I sit in a chair and bring treats out to them. I make them come up on the chair and my lap to get their treats (kitchen scraps). My neighbor also has chickens and my favorite of his flock is an Austarlorp. So far all of mine are pretty sweet. I just look what the feed store has when I go in and pickup feed, then I google the breed to make sure they are good layers and not broody. I had never heard of a California Gray before, but they were at the feed store one day so I picked one up, right now she is my favorite. My RIR's are a close second, both are very sweet. Anyway my point is it doesn't really matter, get what you want. If you get one of each you may know better who laid what egg, since they might be all different colors. Good luck!

 

[Taote]

My RIR runt was the sweetest girl - smart, friendly, and a great layer.

Cuckoo Marans have been great - sweet, easygoing with flock, beautiful eggs and very productive

My BAs are a little flighty, tend to be at the top of the pecking order, and not so nice to younger chicks. Super pretty pink eggs

EEs - Love them. Smart, some really friendly, including our Roo, and GREAT Eggs

S. Sussexs great foragers, a bit broody, good mama hens, good layers, some super friendly, all pretty calm, fairly sharp

BOs, broody, good Mama's, good layers, pretty friendly. Not very bright...

Three broody hens (BO, EE, S.Sussex) hatched out 16 chicks, and we picked up 2 each: day old Wellies, Salmon Faverols, and Wyandotte which the EE hen readily accepted, so we'll get to see how those breeds behave too. A little concerned our socialization isn't going well because the mama hens drive them off at around 10 weeks and the rest of the flock won't let them get too close to us - even when we have no treats.

We use pretty extreme integration, in the coop with minimal segregation from day 1 under mamas protection (til they aren't), a couple of lower out if the way roost bars (in the main coop) though some have claimed spots on the main roosting bars already, and food and water tucked into out of the way corners to ensure they're getting a quality diet to supplement their foraging.

 

[Taote]

Oh, and because mine are free ranging and we want to hatch out chicks naturally, a Roo for us was a must.

He is AWESOME. Calls the girls in, warms of predators, breaks up squabbles, is gentle with chicks, eats from our hands (will hop up in my lap, doesn't want to be petted but gently tugs on my hair or sleeves, then settles into a roost, and he covers the entire flock well (high percentage of fertility).

 

[Diannastarr]

Hi! Just joined, and getting ready for my first backyard chickens. I'll be placing my first chick order soon and have been doing a ton of research on what breeds to get. I know I want a mixed flock, and can only start with 6. I've narrowed it down to these 5 breeds: buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red, barred rock, Sussex, and ameraucana. Should I get one of each and double up on one breed, or 2 each of 3 breeds? I need them to be docile since I have 4 boys under the age of 6, and they will be my helpers....and we eat a lot of eggs so I want producers. What are your opinions? Thanks in advance!

i would hold off with the RIR since i hear they are not the sweetest birds around , but also you forgot the australorps, they are great egg layers in fact one of the best layers in the world..! plus very friendly and really great all around birds, and the buff Orpington, nice choice , barred rocks good birds , Sussex pretty birds , and ameraucana, or maybe Easter eggers..? the Easter eggers are i hear calmer.! and still lay a lot of colored eggs ..! its up to you & i wish you well and much happiness with all your new chicks...!!!