Mixing Breeds in the Flock

[Mr Beaks]

Those breeds are perfect for kids my Buff Orpington is the sweetest and latest bird I have!

Yes, the Buff Orpingtons are a joy for sure! I recently lost one to fatty liver disease and am broken hearted about it. IDK if it was a genetic issue or the fact that she loved to eat. She was always the 1st to approach me for a treat and always had her beak in the food, lol. Our other Orp., Peewee is the same way. But seriously, their temperament is very gentle and loving.

 

[mcbrown7513]

Yes, the Buff Orpingtons are a joy for sure! I recently lost one to fatty liver disease and am broken hearted about it. IDK if it was a genetic issue or the fact that she loved to eat. She was always the 1st to approach me for a treat and always had her beak in the food, lol. Our other Orp., Peewee is the same way. But seriously, their temperament is very gentle and loving.

My Lavender Orpington rooster is the same way. Very sweet and docile. Lowest in my flock's pecking order. I am his great protector.

 

[samantha LW]

Question: I have a regular sized rooster (polish) and three little bantam hens. The Bantams are just becoming old enough to lay eggs. Yesterday I looked outside and I thought my roo was trying to kill on of the Bantam hens. He was on top of her but she was all squished on the ground. I realized he was breeding her. Is this OK? He is fast and when he was done she got up and walked off like nothing happened, no blood, missing feathers, etc. but she was so squished while he was doing it and he was having trouble balancing on her. Do I need to move the smaller hens?

 

[daskhan]

Question: I have a regular sized rooster (polish) and three little bantam hens. The Bantams are just becoming old enough to lay eggs. Yesterday I looked outside and I thought my roo was trying to kill on of the Bantam hens. He was on top of her but she was all squished on the ground. I realized he was breeding her. Is this OK? He is fast and when he was done she got up and walked off like nothing happened, no blood, missing feathers, etc. but she was so squished while he was doing it and he was having trouble balancing on her. Do I need to move the smaller hens? 

That kinda happens in every breed if she's showing no sign of injury then I think everything will be ok

 

[samantha LW]

That kinda happens in every breed if she's showing no sign of injury then I think everything will be ok

Yes, I am used to him breeding my big girls but they stay sitting up. The Bantam was pancake flat. But was unharmed. I just didn't know if it was OK long term. Or if I need to start building another coop.

 

[BuffaloridaGirl]

More pictures of some pretty mixed flocks!!! Let's see!

 

[gpeters3]

I just bought 6 new breeds: rhode island red, buff orphongton, australorp, araucana (so called), black sex link, leghorn and have mature hens: 2 production red (i think), barred rock, australorp (thought it was a jersey giant but not large enough), and easter egger (i think). One lays a green egg. My plan is to keep them all together. My question is, if i raise them all together from chicks, will they get along? I raised some bantams from eggs and had trouble when introducing new chicks. One hen in particular would attack and kill the chicks. I know i have to wait til the chicks are grown and able to outrun the older ones to introduce them and i keep them in brood pens with hardware cloth facing the coop so they can all get used to each other. I just dont want a blood bath when i let them out. The ones i lost before were cornered and held down while the attacker pecked its brains out.

The coop is 108 sqft and im adding a 9x32 run all on the back of my pole barn with 12' wall sloping to about 9'. Roof follows the 4/12 slope of the barn roof. If i can keep 2 turkeys alive (One chick died already), i will have 20 birds in there.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I think they should be fine but I would suggest adding @azygous chick portals, a small, maybe 5x7, opening that you can open when the chicks get a little older and they can interact when they choose to but get away from the bigger birds. And I think, but azygous or others will have to confirm, that it's easier to introduce younger and they tend to react harsher to 2 month olds and up than little baby chicks which is why the portals are so nice. Also maybe block off the corners temporarily so they can't chase anyone into a corner and maybe provide some places throughout the coop other than the portal in the brood pen that the chicks can escape to and hide where the big bords can't fit to get to them. Some have suggested having multiple portals or a longer door too so its not one small hole they have to make it to. So sorry about the the tragic loss though

Also i may have bene wrong about the jg and someone else clarified on the other thread

 

[ShrekDawg]

@gpeters3

 

[gpeters3]

My bantams would fly to a tiny crack in the wall and cling to it til the agressor left. I was always amazed at what they could perch on to get away. Young chicks could do somewhat the same once they can fly. When i was younger i would just shoot the bullies until the fighting stopped. Course that would mean shooting the whole flock because a new bully would come up and i would shoot that one and......

Its sad when you lose one but it seems to be the way with chickens. They are omnivores and kill and eat anything including their own family.