Mixing Chick Breeds

[kcallis]

I am getting three RIR chicks next week, and really want a little bantam too. If I start them all off as chicks, can I raise them together? I'm worried that once the RIR get bigger than the bantam, they may start pecking at her?

 

[TillinWithMyPeeps]

I think it would be more about attitude than size, I have heard, though not from personal experience, that because Buff Orpingtons are so gentle, and docile, though relatively big in size, they can still be bullied by other chickens.

 

[crazyhen]

My Mom has a bantam roo that rules the roost. There are rir's, ancona, other mixed breeds. He is sappy for sure, Tried the other day to get her when she gathered her eggs. He grew up with them too. She did not have a problem with it. Jean

 

[rachel]

If they are all started at the same time, you can mix any breeds. You won't have any extra pecking order problems than if they were all the same breed.

 

[cmom]

I agree. You can mix. A lot of people do. The birds, no matter, will still establish their pecking order.

 

[wingnut1]

Hey, kcallis!

Mixing has worked well for me - it works best if you start them together at the same time. The my pet chicken site has some helpful info on the general characteristics of chicken personalities (www.mypetchicken.com) that might help you select breeds. But, as will all generalizations, there are exceptions.

My flock of hens is "ruled" by two buff orpingtons! Saffron and Strawberry are NOT to be messed with!

They aren't mean - just very sure of themselves -

! All web info suggests that they are more docile than other large breeds - so I guess they are the exceptions!

But all in all, the ones started together, although they do have a pecking order, seem to get along fine.

Have fun!!!

 

[lichick28]

I've always mixed different breed chicks with no problem banty chicks along with heavy breed chicks grew up fine.